Released prior to the day Christians reflect on and thank Jesus for his death on the cross, it said:
The advert prompted several responses on Twitter, including one from the vicar and broadcaster Rev Richard Coles:
@RevRichardColes @simonmayo @Tesco Like it or not the Easter is also a secular holiday as well as a religious one. Most are travelling to families rather than to church.
— DT (@d0mth0ma5) April 13, 2017
@d0mth0ma5 @simonmayo @Tesco Sure, that's fine, but this ad is extraordinarily and unnecessarily ignorant.
— Richard Coles (@RevRichardColes) April 13, 2017
@RevRichardColes @d0mth0ma5 @simonmayo @Tesco On the positive side Good Friday is acknowledged in the advert and if only one person stops and thinks about Jesus - that's a good thing
— RedSquirrel (@GodSquadandMe) April 14, 2017
Tesco told the BBC: "We know that Easter is an important time of the year for our customers.
"It is never our intention to offend and we are sorry if any has been caused by this advert."
