18 Powerful Sunday Bible Verses

A Sunday Bible verse is there to remind us of both our act of thanksgiving and our responsibility as Christians to give back to our Lord God.

In many cultures, it has been customary to have Sundays designated as rest days. Jobs more often than not use Sunday as their official time off from work. For many Christians, Sunday is the day spent praising the Lord and considered holy. Also, there are accounts in the Scriptures that celebrate important Sundays. Particularly in the life of Jesus Christ, important Sundays are Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

What are Sunday Bible Verses

Sunday Bible verses serve as a guide and a reminder for Christians to keep the first day of the week holy. Sundays are important for Christians as it is the day they practice as their day of worship.

There have been many debates on whether the Sabbath day is also celebrated on a Sunday. Despite the debates, Sunday, as a popular day for worship, is a good day for learning more about God’s gift of everlasting life. Read the article to know more about what the Bible says about Sundays.

What Does the Bible Say about Sunday?

Contrary to popular belief, the word “Sunday” was not used in the Bible explicitly. In the New Testament, there are references to events that happened on the “first day of the week.” The first day of the week in historic times relates to modern-day Sunday.

Sunday worship and keeping it a holy day stems from the Apostles’ practice of commemorating Jesus’ resurrection. In all four accounts of the Gospel, Jesus was described to have been resurrected on the first day of the week. 

As laid out in Acts 20:7, on the first day of the week, the Apostle Paul met with the Christians and taught them the works of Christ. Also, in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians as described in 1 Corinthians 16:2, on the first day of the week, the Christians are to make an offering for the Saints.

Best Sunday Bible Verses

Bible Verses about Sunday as the Sabbath Day

In the creation narrative, “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it God rested from all His work that he had done in creation.”(Genesis 2:3) This verse also refers to the fourth commandment of the Lord, as laid in Exodus 20:8-10, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.“

The Sabbath day in the Old Testament was observed on a Saturday as the seventh day of the week. So why do modern-day Christians celebrate Sunday as a holy day of tithe and thanksgiving after working for six days? Does this mean that Sunday is the Sabbath day? The straight answer is that Saturday is and has always been the Sabbath day.

So why did Christians choose Sunday as their holy day of rejoicing? The answer is that Jesus Christ was resurrected on a Sunday. Christians, as a tribute to Jesus, choose Sunday to commemorate His resurrection. We have summarized four Bible verses that show the reason why Christians choose Sunday in commemorating Jesus’ resurrection and glory.

Matthew 28:1

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.”

In this verse, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early and found that the tomb where Jesus was buried was open. Later in the Bible account, it is mentioned that Jesus indeed resurrected from the dead, one of the many wonders that the Lord has made possible. 

As told by Matthew’s version of the Gospel, the resurrection of Jesus happened after the Sabbath or the seventh day, toward the dawn of the first day of the week. Hence, it is clear that the Sabbath is different from a Sunday. Jesus resurrected on a Sunday, the main reason why it is called the “Lord’s Day.”

John 20:19-21

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so, I am sending you.”

The first sighting of the disciples of the Risen Christ Jesus was on the evening of the first day of the week. As told by the Gospel according to John, Jesus gave them peace and reminded them that they shall continue the Lord’s good work on earth, as did how God the Father sent Jesus.

Acts 20:7

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”

The context of this verse is about the ministry of the apostle Paul in Macedonia and Greece. It can be seen that the Apostles continued to commemorate the way they hold their ministries on the Lord’s Day.

1 Corinthians 16:2-3

“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.”

The apostle Paul in this verse instructed the Corinthians to offer their tithings for the saints every first day of the week. This is a manifestation that the apostles follow and commemorate the Lord’s Day and praise God on a Sunday.

Bible Verses about Sunday worship

Worshiping the Lord strictly on a Sunday is not explicitly said in the Bible. It is, however, became customary for Christians to observe the Lord’s Day as a day of thanksgiving for Him. Here are five best Bible verses about Sunday worship that may help you prepare yourself for celebrating the Lord’s day.

Psalms 95:2

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”

There is nothing more triumphal than worshiping the Lord with songs of praise on a Sunday! Just as the people of Jerusalem welcomed Jesus with shouts of praise, we too can express our thanksgiving through songs offered for God’s greater glory.

Colossians 3:16-17

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Remember when Jesus said no one comes to God the Father except through Him? Truly, this Bible verse reminds us of the two ultimate commandments of Jesus: to love another as He has loved us and to know God the Father through our Savior Jesus. Worshiping God entails doing by His commandments both in words and in actions.

Matthew 18:20

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Do not be discouraged if you worship the Lord your God with only a few people, may it be with your close family members or a small circle of church buddies. For the Lord watches over two or three who are gathered in His name to praise Him.

John 4:23

“But the hour is coming, and is now here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”

The verse reminds us of how to truly worship God the Father, it is through living in the spirit of truth and His teachings. It is to live in truth so that in all things we do, we do it with the help of the Holy Spirit for the hope to experience eternal life.

Philippians 2:10-11

“So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus, who is the one and only son of Lord God the Father was sent to be our Savior. Christ died for our sake, and not to condemn the world. It is written in the scriptures that all of the whole world shall bow and worship before the name of Jesus, to which he truly deserves.”

Bible Verses about Palm Sunday

As Christians gather and praise Lord their God regularly on a Sunday, the Bible teaches us about a special Sunday. Discover what Bible verses about Palm Sunday can help you learn about its meaning and significance.

Luke 19:29-30

“When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.”

On the original Palm Sunday, which marks the humble but triumphal entry of the Lord Jesus Christ to Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples to find a colt and a donkey, which He used to ride on His journey to Jerusalem, which is in fulfillment to an old prophecy.

Zechariah 9:9

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

The people of Jerusalem, upon the entry of Jesus riding on a donkey, recognized Him as the promised Messiah from the verse of Zechariah. One of the highlights of Palm Sunday as the triumphal entry of Christ was the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah as their King came and the people shouted in their loud voices, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

John 12:13

“So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!”

Branches of palm trees are a symbol of victory in the early days of history. In Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem, the people shout aloud “Hosanna!” – a Hebrew term that means “please deliver us.” In this verse, the people of Jerusalem proclaim Him as their Savior and the Promised One who will deliver Israel from slavery. Celebration of Palm Sunday with palm branches is still practiced to this day.

Matthew 21:10-11

“And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

In celebration of the people of Jerusalem as Jesus entered the city, the word quickly spread, and the Holy City knew Him as the prophet Jesus, along with their praises of “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Hence, Palm Sunday also marked the start of Jesus’ impending passion in the hands of those who frown upon His ministry.

Easy Bible Memory Verses for Kids in Sunday school

Sending children to Sunday school not only increases their awareness of the Lord but also strengthens their faith and learning deeper about God’s plan in their lives. Here are five easy-to-memorize Bible verses for kids in Sunday school that will help them praise God and keep His commandments close to their hearts.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Psalms 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Psalms 107:1

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Important Sundays in the Bible

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is celebrated as the start of the Holy Week. It marks the start of the week of the Passion of Christ. As you may have read early in this article, the inaugural Palm Sunday was when Jesus humbly arrived in the Holy City of Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed by the people as their Savior with palm branches as an act of victory and homage.

While Palm Sunday as the start of the Holy Week is considered a joyous celebration by the people, it is also a very selfless act made by Jesus. Jesus knew that His entry to Jerusalem was the start of His passion, death, and resurrection. Jesus as the son of God prepared Himself as a perfect gift of sacrifice for the whole world.

Palm Sunday is commemorated until this day by Christians by participating in the reenactment of the triumphal entry using palm branches every Sunday before Easter.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the day when Christ Jesus rose from the dead and was resurrected on the third day. Christians celebrate Easter Sunday not only because Jesus is indeed resurrected through the scriptures, but also because it is a manifestation that the promise of eternal life is real. The power of the Holy Spirit through the promise of resurrection also extends to us as children of the Lord.

Why are Sundays Important to Christians

Just as birthdays or anniversaries are important to people, Sundays are equally important to Christians. While Sabbath is practiced on a Saturday, early Christians designate Sunday or the Lord’s Day as the day of their thanksgiving and worship. As Christians allot the first moments of their days for prayer, it is also notable that the first day of the week is also set aside as their time for the Lord. Sundays are important for Christians as a solemn rest with the Lord God and his teachings.

In Summary

Sunday Bible verses are there to remind us of both our act of thanksgiving and responsibility as Christians to give back to our Lord God the love that is due Him. To act on our faith and worship the Lord our God on Sundays as a commemoration of the good gift Jesus has given us is one point of honoring Him. Keeping their Sundays holy as a day for worship demonstrates Christians’ full acceptance of the works and teaching of Christ in their soul and strengthens their faith more.