Reference: Resurrection Of Christ
Easton
one of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1Co 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps 16 (Ac 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Lu 18:33; Joh 2:19-22).
The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, also, in their public teaching largely insist upon it. Ten different appearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament. They may be arranged as follows:
(1.) To Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre alone. This is recorded at length only by John (Joh 20:11-18), and alluded to by Mark (Mr 16:9-11).
(2.) To certain women, "the other Mary," Salome, Joanna, and others, as they returned from the sepulchre. Matthew (Mt 28:1-10) alone gives an account of this. (Comp. Mr 16:1-8; Lu 24:1-11.)
(3.) To Simon Peter alone on the day of the resurrection. (See Lu 24:34; 1Co 15:5.)
(4.) To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection, recorded fully only by Luke (Lu 24:13-35. Comp. Mr 16:12-13).
(5.) To the ten disciples (Thomas being absent) and others "with them," at Jerusalem on the evening of the resurrection day. One of the evangelists gives an account of this appearance, John (Joh 20:19-24).
(6.) To the disciples again (Thomas being present) at Jerusalem (Mr 16:14-18; Lu 24:33-40; Joh 20:26-28. See also 1Co 15:5).
(7.) To the disciples when fishing at the Sea of Galilee. Of this appearance also John (Joh 21:1-23) alone gives an account.
(8.) To the eleven, and above 500 brethren at once, at an appointed place in Galilee (1Co 15:6; comp. Mt 28:16-20).
(9.) To James, but under what circumstances we are not informed (1Co 15:7).
(10.) To the apostles immediately before the ascension. They accompanied him from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend "till a cloud received him out of their sight" (Mr 16:19; Lu 24:50-52; Ac 1:4-10).
It is worthy of note that it is distinctly related that on most of these occasions our Lord afforded his disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of his resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Mt 28:9; Lu 24:39; Joh 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Lu 24:42-43; Joh 21:12-13).
(11.) In addition to the above, mention might be made of Christ's manifestation of himself to Paul at Damascus, who speaks of it as an appearance of the risen Saviour (Ac 9:3-9,17; 1Co 15:8; 9:1).
It is implied in the words of Luke (Ac 1:3) that there may have been other appearances of which we have no record.
The resurrection is spoken of as the act (1) of God the Father (Ps 16:10; Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; Heb 13:20); (2) of Christ himself (Joh 2:19; 10:18); and (3) of the Holy Spirit (1Pe 3:18).
The resurrection is a public testimony of Christ's release from his undertaking as surety, and an evidence of the Father's acceptance of his work of redemption. It is a victory over death and the grave for all his followers.
The importance of Christ's resurrection will be seen when we consider that if he rose the gospel is true, and if he rose not it is false. His resurrection from the dead makes it manifest that his sacrifice was accepted. Our justification was secured by his obedience to the death, and therefore he was raised from the dead (Ro 4:25). His resurrection is a proof that he made a full atonement for our sins, that his sacrifice was accepted as a satisfaction to divine justice, and his blood a ransom for sinners. It is also a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all believers (Ro 8:11; 1Co 6:14; 15:47-49; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2). As he lives, they shall live also.
It proved him to be the Son of God, inasmuch as it authenticated all his claims (Joh 2:19; 10:17). "If Christ did not rise, the whole scheme of redemption is a failure, and all the predictions and anticipations of its glorious results for time and for eternity, for men and for angels of every rank and order, are proved to be chimeras. 'But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.' Therefore the Bible is true from Genesis to Revelation. The kingdom of darkness has been overthrown, Satan has fallen as lightning from heaven, and the triumph of truth over error, of good over evil, of happiness over misery is for ever secured." Hodge.
With reference to the report which the Roman soldiers were bribed (Mt 28:12-14) to circulate concerning Christ's resurrection, "his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept," Matthew Henry in his "Commentary," under John 20:1-10, fittingly remarks, "The grave-clothes in which Christ had been buried were found in very good order, which serves for an evidence that his body was not 'stolen away while men slept.' Robbers of tombs have been known to take away 'the clothes' and leave the body; but none ever took away 'the body' and left the clothes, especially when they were 'fine linen' and new (Mr 15:46). Any one would rather choose to carry a dead body in its clothes than naked. Or if they that were supposed to have stolen it would have left the grave-clothes behind, yet it cannot be supposed they would find leisure to 'fold up the linen.'"
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And it will be from the end of three days and the scribes will pass through in the midst of the camp.
For thou wilt not leave my soul to hades; thou wilt not give thy merciful ones to see corruption.
And they shall deliver him to the nations to mock, and scourge, and crucify: and he shall be raised the third day.
And after the sabbaths, in the shining forth to one of the sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the tomb. And, behold, there was a great shaking; for a messenger of the Lord, having come down out of heaven, having come near, rolled away the stone from the door, and sat above it. read more. And his aspect was as lightning, and his garment white as snow. And from fear of him the keepers were shaken, and were as dead. And the messenger, having answered, said to the women, Be ye not afraid; for I know that ye seek Jesus, having been crucified. He is not here: for he was raised, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And having gone quickly, say ye to his disciples, that he was raised from the dead; and, behold, he leads before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him: behold I have said to you. And they having come quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, ran to announce to his disciples. And as they were going to announce to his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, Rejoice ye. And they having come, held his feet firmly, and worshipped him.
And as they were going to announce to his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, Rejoice ye. And they having come, held his feet firmly, and worshipped him. Then says Jesus to them, Be ye not afraid: retire, and announce to my brethren that they should go away into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
And having been gathered together with the elders, and having taken counsel, they gave sufficient silver coins to the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, That his disciples having come by night, stole him, we being asleep. read more. And if this should be heard by the leader, we will persuade him, and we will make you undisturbed.
And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, into a mountain, where Jesus commanded them: And having seen him, they worshipped him; and some doubted. read more. And Jesus, having come near, spake to them, saying, All power has been given me in heaven and upon earth: Therefore, having gone, disciple all nations; immersing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to keep all things whatever I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you all the days, even to the end of time. Amen.
And they coming down from the mount, he charged them that they recount to none what they saw, except when the Son of man should arise from the dead.
And having bought fine linen, and taken him down, he rolled in fine linen, and placed him in a tomb, which was quarried out of a rock, and he rolled a stone at the door of the tomb.
And the sabbath having intervened, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of James, and Salome, bought spices, that having come, they might anoint him. And very early in the morning of one of the sabbaths, they came to the tomb, the sun having risen. read more. And they said to themselves, Who shall roll away for us the stone from the door of the tomb? And having looked up, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And having come to the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, being encompassed with a white robe; and they were terrified. And he says to them, Be not terrified: Ye seek Jesus the Nazarene, being crucified: he was raised; he is not here: see the place where they laid him. But retire ye; say to his disciples and to Peter that he goes before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said to you. And having come forth quickly, they fled from the tomb; and terror and amazement held them: and they said nothing to any; for they were afraid. And having risen early the first of the sabbath, he was manifested first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast seven demons. She having gone announced to them having been with him, grieving and weeping. And they having heard that he lives, and was seen by her, believed not. And after these things, to two of them, walking about, was he manifested in another form, they going into the field. And they having come announced to the rest: neither did they believe them. Afterwards to those reclining at table was he manifested, and he reproached their unbelief and hard heart, because they believed not them having seen him raised. And he said to them, Having gone into all the world proclaim the good news to all creation. And he having believed and having been immersed shall be saved; but he not having believed shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow those having believed; In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and should they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall put hands upon the sick, and they shall be well. Truly therefore the Lord, after ho had spoken to them, was taken up into the heavens, and sat on the right hand of God.
And having scourged, they shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise.
And in one of the sabbaths, in the depth of the dawn of day, they came to the tomb, bringing spices which they had prepared, and certain with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. read more. And coming in, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it was in their being perplexed for this, and, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And they having, been afraid, and bending the face to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye the living with the dead He is not here, but has risen: remember how he spake to you being yet in Galilee, Saying, That the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and be raised up the third day. And they remembered his words, And having returned from the tomb, they announced these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. And they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary of James, and the rest with them, who said these things to the sent. And their words appeared before them as idle talk, and they believed them not.
And, behold, two of them were going in the same day to a town being about sixty stadia from Jerusalem, the name of which Emmaus. And they were conversing with one another concerning all things having happened. read more. And it was in their conversing and seeking out together, and Jesus himself, having drawn near, went with them. And their eyes were holden not to know him. And he said to them, What words these which, walking about, ye discuss with one another, and are of gloomy aspect? And one having answered, to whom the name Cleopas, said to him, Sojournest thou alone in Jerusalem, and knowest not the things done in it in these days? And Jesus said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarite, who was a man, a prophet, powerful in work and words before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to the judgment of death, and crucified him. And we hoped that this is he about to redeem Israel: but also with all these things, to day it brings the third day from which these things were. And also certain women of ours moved us out of place, having been early at the tomb; And not finding his body, they came, saying also to have seen a vision of messengers, who say he is living. And certain of them with us departed to the tomb, and found so as the women said: and him they saw not. And he said to them, O ye unwise, and slow in heart to believe in all things which the prophets spake: Must not Christ suffer these things, and enter into his glory? And having begun from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained clearly to them in all the writings concerning himself. And they drew near to the town where they were going: and he laid claim to go still further. And they constrained him, saying, Remain with us: for it is near eve, and the day has declined. And he went in to remain with them. And it was in his reclining at table with them, having taken bread, he praised, and having broken, bestowed upon them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he was removed from their view. And they said to one another, Was not our heart burning in us, as he spake to us in the way, and as he opened the writings to us And having risen the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those with them.
And having risen the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those with them. Saying, That truly the Lord was risen, and was seen to Simon.
Saying, That truly the Lord was risen, and was seen to Simon.
Saying, That truly the Lord was risen, and was seen to Simon. And they recounted the things in the way, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread.
And they recounted the things in the way, and how he was known to them in the breaking of bread. And they speaking these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and he says to them, Peace to you. read more. And they, struck with awe and being afraid, thought to see a spirit. And he said to them, Why have ye been troubled? and wherefore do reflections come up in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, for I am he; feel, and see: for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as ye see me having.
See my hands and my feet, for I am he; feel, and see: for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as ye see me having. And having said this, he showed them hands and feet.
And they bestowed upon him part of a broiled fish, and of an honey comb. And having taken, he ate before them.
And he led them without, even to Bethany, and having lifted up his hands, he praised them. And it was in his praising them, he was separated from them, and carried into heaven. read more. And they having worshipped him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Jesus answered and said to them, Loose this temple, and in three days will I raise it up.
Jesus answered and said to them, Loose this temple, and in three days will I raise it up.
Jesus answered and said to them, Loose this temple, and in three days will I raise it up. Then said the Jews, In forty-six years was this temple built, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? read more. But he spake concerning the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this to them; and they believed the writing, and the word which Jesus spake.
Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command received I of my Father.
And Mary stood near the tomb weeping without: therefore as she wept, she stood stooping into the tomb, And sees two messengers in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus was laid. read more. And they say to her, Woman, why weepest thou? She says to them, Because they took away my Lord, and I know not where they laid him. And having said these, she was turned back, and sees Jesus standing, and she knew not that it is Jesus. Jesus says to her, Woman, why weepest thou a whom seekest thou? She, thinking that it is the gardener, says to him, Lord, if thou didst bear him away, say where thou bast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus says to her, Mary. She having turned, says to him, Rabboni; which is called, Teacher. Jesus says to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father: and go thou to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene comes announcing to the disciples that she has seen the Lord, and he said these to her. Then it being evening, in that one day of the sabbaths, and the doors shut where the disciples were gathered together for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and says to them, Peace to you. And having said this, he showed them his hands, and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced, having seen the Lord. Then said Jesus again to them, Peace to you: as the Father has sent me, I also send you. And having said this, he inspired, and says to them, Receive the Holy Spirit: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them: whose soever ye retain, they have been retained. And Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days again were his disciples within, and Thomas with them: Jesus comes, the doors shut, and said, Peace to you. Then says he to Thomas, Bring hither thy finger, and see my hands; and bring thy hand, and put into my side: and be not unbelieving, but believing.
Then says he to Thomas, Bring hither thy finger, and see my hands; and bring thy hand, and put into my side: and be not unbelieving, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
After these things Jesus again manifested himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias and so he made manifest. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and nathanael from Cana of Galilee, and they of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter says to them, I retire to fish. They say to him, We also go with thee. They came forth, and went up into the ship quickly; and in that night they caught nothing. And morning being already come, Jesus stood on the sea-shore: yet the disciples knew not that it is Jesus. Then says Jesus to them, Children, have ye nothing cooked to eat? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net to the right parts of the ship, and ye shall find. Therefore they cast, and were no more able to draw it, from the multitude of fishes. Then that disciple says, whom Jesus loved, to Peter, It is the Lord. Then Simon Peter having heard that it is the Lord, girded round the upper garment, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as from two hundred cubits) dragging the net of fishes. When therefore they came away to the land, they see a heap of burning coals laid, and little fish laid upon, and bread. Jesus says to them, Bring ye from the little fishes which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net upon the earth, full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty-three: and being so many, the net was not split. And Jesus says to them, Come, dine. And none of the disciples dared to inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it is the Lord.
And Jesus says to them, Come, dine. And none of the disciples dared to inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it is the Lord. Then comes Jesus, and takes bread, and gives them, and fish likewise.
Then comes Jesus, and takes bread, and gives them, and fish likewise. This already the third time Jesus was manifested to his disciples, having risen from the dead. read more. Then, when they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. Jesus says to him again the second time, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He says to him, Feed my sheep. He says to him the third time, Simon of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved that he said the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to thee, when thou west younger, thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldest;and when thou shalt grow old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou wilt not. And this he said, signifying by what death he shall honour God. And having said this, he says to him, Follow me. And Peter having turned back, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also reclined in the supper upon his breast, and said, Lord, who is he delivering thee up Peter having seen him, says to Jesus, Lord, and what this Jesus says to him, If I will him to remain till I come, what to thee? follow me. Then went out the word to the brethren, That this disciple dies not: and Jesus said not to him, That he dies not; but, If I will him to remain till I come, what to thee?
To them also he presented himself living, after he suffered, by many infallible signs, through forty days seen to them, and speaking the things of the kingdom of God: And, being collected together, he enjoined them not to be separated from Jerusalem, but to wait for the solemn promise of the Father, which ye heard of me. read more. For John truly immersed in water; and ye shall be immersed in the Holy Spirit not after these many days. Truly they therefore having come together, asked him, saying, Lord, if in this time thou wilt restore the kingdom of Israel? And he said to them, It is not yours to know the times and occasions, which the Father fixed in his own power. But ye shall receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses to me also in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the last of the earth. And having said these, they beholding, he was lifted up; and a cloud received him from their eyes. And as they were looking intently to heaven, he going, behold, two men were standing before them in white raiment;
Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death: as it was not possible for him to be holden of it.
Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death: as it was not possible for him to be holden of it. For David says about him, I saw beforehand the Lord before me always, for he is of my right hand, that I be not moved: read more. For this my heart was gladdened, and my tongue was transported with joy; and yet also shall my flesh encamp in hope: For thou wilt not leave my soul in hades neither wilt thou give thy sanctified one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt fill me with gladness with thy face.
And ye killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead; of whom we are witnesses.
And in going, it was he drawing near to Damascus: and suddenly a light from heaven flashed with lightning around him: And having fallen upon the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, Why drivest thou me out? read more. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou drivest out: hard for thee to kick against goads. And he trembling and amazed said, Lord, What wilt thou me to do? And the Lord to him, Arise, and come into the city, and it shall be spoken to thee what thou must do. And the men journeying with him stood astonished, hearing the voice truly, and seeing no one. And Saul was raised up from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw no one: and leading him by the hand, they brought him to Damascus. And he was three days not seeing, and he ate not, nor drank.
And Ananias departed, and came into the house; and having put hands upon him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, he seen to thee in the way which thou earnest, so that thou mightest look up, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Who was delivered up for our faults, and raised up for our justification.
And if the Spirit of him having raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he having raised up Christ from the dead will make alive also your mortal bodies by his Spirit dwelling in you.
And if the Spirit of him having raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he having raised up Christ from the dead will make alive also your mortal bodies by his Spirit dwelling in you.
And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve: Then was he seen by above five hundred brethren once for all; of whom the most remain till now, and some also are laid to rest. read more. Then was he seen by James; then by all the sent.
And if Christ has not risen, then our proclaiming vain, and also your faith vain.
Which he performed in Christ, having raised him from the dead, and he sat on his right hand in the heavenlies,
Who will change the body of our humiliation, for it to be conformable to the body of his glory, according to the operation by which he is able to place all things under himself.
Buried together with him in immersion, in which also were ye risen together by the faith of the operation of God, having raised him from the dead.
And the God of peace, having brought up from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, in the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ,
For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just one for the unjust, that he might bring us near to God, truly put to death in the flesh, and made alive by the Spirit:
Morish
This is the great central fact on the testimony of which the structure of Christianity has been reared. If Christ be not risen, there is no salvation, since sin would still be reigning by death in universal sway. But Christ, who was made sin, is risen and is at God's right hand, a manifest proof that atonement has been made, and that God's righteousness has been vindicated. The result has been the sending of the Spirit from the Father. Abundant evidence was given to the disciples that Christ was risen from the dead. He appeared again and again, ate in their presence, and gave opportunity for identification. Evidence of the fact was also borne to the Jews by the apostles in the power and by the gifts of the Spirit, Ac 4:10, confirming what they had themselves seen and heard and the testimony of the scriptures. The resurrection of Christ is the keystone of the faith of the Christian; at the same time it is the assurance on the part of God that He has appointed a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness. Hence it has a voice to all.
It has been asserted that the accounts given of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in the gospels are discordant and irreconcilable. This is not the case: it has been overlooked that Lu 23:54-56 refers to Friday evening, before the Sabbath, and Mt 28:1 refers to Saturday evening, after the Sabbath: the women return after viewing the sepulchre and finish their preparations, according to Mr 16:1.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And after the sabbaths, in the shining forth to one of the sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to behold the tomb.
And the sabbath having intervened, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of James, and Salome, bought spices, that having come, they might anoint him.
And the day was the preparation, and the sabbath shone forth. And the women having followed, which had come to him out of Galilee, saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. read more. And having returned, they prepared spices and perfumed oils; and truly the sabbath were they at rest according to the command.
Be it known to all you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarite, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in this he stands before you whole.