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 came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the midst of the camp,
For thou will not leave my soul to Sheol, nor will thou allow thy holy man to see corruption.
and will deliver him to the Gentiles to ridicule, and to scourge, and to crucify. And the third day he will rise.
Now late on the Sabbath day, being dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, a great earthquake occurred, for an agent of Lord, having descended from heaven, having come, he rolled the stone away from the door and sat upon it. read more. And his appearance was as lightning and his clothing white as snow. And those watching over shook from fear of him, and became as dead men. And having responded, the agent said to the women, Fear ye not, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he was raised as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And after going quickly, tell his disciples, He was raised from the dead, and lo, he goes before you into Galilee. There ye will see him. Behold, I have told you. And after coming out quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy, they ran to notify his disciples. And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail. And having come, they held his feet and worshiped him.
And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail. And having come, they held his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus says to them, Fear not. Go notify my brothers that they should depart into Galilee, and there they will see me.
And after assembling with the elders, and having taken consultation, they gave many silver pieces to the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples, having come by night, stole him from us while we slept. read more. And if this should be heard by the governor, we will persuade him, and will make you worry free.
But the eleven disciples went for Galilee to the mountain where Jesus arranged for them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him, but men doubted. read more. And Jesus having come, he spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth was given to me. After going, make ye disciples of all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, as many as I commanded you. And lo, I am with you all the days, until the end of the age. Truly.
And as they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no man what they saw, except when the Son of man will rise from the dead.
And having bought fine linen, and having taken him down, he wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher, being that which had been hewn out of rock. And he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher.
And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that having come, they might anoint him. And very much early morning on the first day of the week, they come near to the sepulcher when the sun was risen. read more. And they said to themselves, Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the sepulcher? And having looked, they see that the stone has been rolled back, for it was very large. And having entered into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he says to them, Be not alarmed. Ye seek Jesus, the man of Nazareth who was crucified. He was raised. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee. Ye will see him there, just as he said to you. And having come out, they fled from the sepulcher, and trembling and astonishment seized them. And they said nothing to any man, for they were afraid. Now having risen early morning on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. That woman, having gone, informed those who became with him, as they mourned and wept. And those men, when they heard that he is alive, and was seen by her, did not believe. And after these things he appeared in a different form to two of them as they walked going into the countryside. And those men having departed, they reported to the others. Neither did they believe those men. Afterward he became visible to them, to the eleven, who were relaxing. And he upbraided their unbelief and hard heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he was raised. And he said to them, Having gone into all the world, preach ye the good-news to the whole creation. He who believes and is immersed will be saved, but he who does not believe will be damned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons. They will speak in new tongues. They will take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will, no, not harm them. They will lay hands on the feeble, and they will fare well. Therefore indeed, the Lord, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
And after scourging, they will kill him, and the third day he will rise up.
And on the first day of the week, very early morning, they came to the sepulcher bringing the spices that they prepared, and some women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. read more. And having entered in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass while they were bewildered about this, that behold, two men stood near them in shining apparel. And since they became frightened and bowing down their face to the ground, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but was raised. Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day to rise. And they remembered his sayings. And having returned from the sepulcher, they reported all these things to the eleven, and to all the others. Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. And their sayings appeared before them as idle talk, and they disbelieved them.
And behold, two of them were going the same day to a village that was sixty furlongs away from Jerusalem, which name was Emmaus. And they conversed with each other about all these things that happened. read more. And it came to pass, while they conversed and discussed, that Jesus himself also having approached, went along with them. But their eyes were held, not to recognize him. And he said to them, What are these words that ye toss back to each other, while walking and are looking sad. And one, whose name was Cleopas, having answered, said to him, Thou only visit Jerusalem and do not know the things that happened in it during these days? And he said to them, What? And they said to him, The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who became a prophet, a mighty man in work and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up for condemnation of death, and crucified him. But we hoped that he is the man who is going to redeem Israel. But even with all these things, it brings this third day today from which time these things happened. But also some of our women astonished us, having come to be at the sepulcher early morning. And not having found his body, they came, saying also to have seen a vision of heavenly agents who say he is alive. And some of those with us went to the sepulcher, and found it this way, just as also the women said, but they did not see him. And he said to them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets spoke. Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? And having begun from Moses and from all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the scriptures the things about himself. And they came near to the village where they were going, and he pretended to go further. And they constrained him, saying, Remain with us, because it is toward evening, and the day has declined. And he went in to remain with them. And it came to pass during his dining with them, that, having taken the bread, he blessed, and having broken in pieces he gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he became invisible from them. And they said to each other, Was not our heart burning within us while he spoke to us on the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? And having risen up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven gathered together,
And having risen up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them who said, The Lord really was raised, and was seen by Simon.
and those who were with them who said, The Lord really was raised, and was seen by Simon.
and those who were with them who said, The Lord really was raised, and was seen by Simon. And they reported the things on the road, and how he was made known to them during the breaking of the bread.
And they reported the things on the road, and how he was made known to them during the breaking of the bread. And as they spoke these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and says to them, Peace to you. read more. But having seen startled, and having become frightened, they presumed to see a spirit. And he said to them, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye see me having.
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye see me having. And having said this, he displayed to them his hands and feet.
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and from a bees honeycomb. And having taken it, he ate before them.
And he led them outside as far as to Bethany, and having lifted up his hands, he blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was brought up into heaven. read more. And having worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews therefore said, This temple was forty-six years being built, and will thou raise it up in three days? read more. But that man spoke about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead his disciples remembered that he spoke this, and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus said.
Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, so that I may take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.
But Mary had stood outside near the sepulcher weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped down to the sepulcher. And she sees two heavenly agents in white, sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus was lain. read more. And those men say to her, Woman, why weep thou? She says to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And having said these things, she turned backward, and sees Jesus standing. And she had not known that it is Jesus. Jesus says to her, Woman, why weep thou? Whom seek thou? That woman, supposing that he is the gardener, says to him, Sir, if thou have taken him, tell me where thou have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus says to her, Mary. After turning around, that woman says to him, Rabboni, which says, Teacher. Jesus says to her, Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers, and say to them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Mary Magdalene comes informing the disciples that she has seen the Lord, and he spoke these things to her. Therefore being evening that day, the first day of the week, and the doors having been shut where the disciples were who assembled because of 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 side. His disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And after saying this, he breathed on them, and says to them, Receive ye Holy Spirit. If ye forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If ye retain of any, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace to you. Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put into my side, and do not become faithless, but believing.
Then he says to Thomas, Bring thy finger here, and see my hands, and bring thy hand, and put into my side, and do not become faithless, but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias. And he revealed himself this way. There were together, Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other men of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter says to them, I am going to harvest fish. They say to him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and straightaway entered into the boat. And in that night they caught nothing. But having now become morning, Jesus stood on the shore. However the disciples had not seen that it was Jesus. Therefore Jesus says to them, Children, have ye anything eatable? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye will find. Therefore they cast, and they were no longer able to draw it for the magnitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved says to Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it is the Lord, he tied the coat around himself (for he was undressed), and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in the skiff (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net of the fishes. So when they came to the land, they saw a fire of coals set, and fish laying on it, and bread. Jesus says to them, Bring from the fishes that ye now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty-three. And being so many, the net was not broken. Jesus says to them, Come, eat breakfast. And none of the disciples dared to query him, Who are thou? knowing that it is the Lord.
Jesus says to them, Come, eat breakfast. And none of the disciples dared to query him, Who are thou? knowing that it is the Lord. Jesus therefore comes, and takes the bread, and gives to them, and the fish likewise.
Jesus therefore comes, and takes the bread, and gives to them, and the fish likewise. This is now a third time Jesus was manifested to his disciples after being raised from the dead. read more. So when they ate breakfast, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do thou love me more than these things? He says to him, Yea, Lord. Thou know that I love thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. He says to him again a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do thou love me? He says to him, Yea, Lord. Thou know that I love thee. He says to him, Feed my sheep. He says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do thou love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do thou love me? And he said to him, Lord, thou know all things. Thou know that I love thee. Jesus says t Truly, truly, I say to thee, When thou were younger, thou girded thyself, and walked where thou would, but when thou become old, thou will stretch forth thy hands, and another will gird thee, and carry thee where thou do not want. Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he will glorify God. And after saying this, he says to him, Follow me. But Peter, having turned around, sees the disciple whom Jesus loves, following, who also leaned near his chest at the supper, and said, Lord, who is the man betraying thee? Having seen this man, Peter says to Jesus, Lord, and what of this man? Jesus says to him, If I want him to remain until I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou me. This saying therefore went forth among the brothers, that that disciple does not die. And yet Jesus did not say to him, that he does not die, but, If I want him to remain until I come, what is it to thee?
to whom he also presented himself living, after his suffering, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking the things about the kingdom of God. And being assembled together, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, Which, he said, ye heard from me. read more. Because John indeed immersed in water, but ye will be immersed in Holy Spirit after not many of these days. Indeed therefore having come together, they questioned him, saying, Lord, do thou restore the kingdom to Israel at this time? And he said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father established in his own authority. But ye will receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon you. And ye will be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as of the extremity of the earth. And having said these things, as they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their eyes. And while they were gazing at his going into the sky, behold, two men had also stood by them in white apparel,
whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David speaks for him: I beheld the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, so that I may not be moved. read more. Because of this my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad. And moreover my flesh will also rest in hope. Because thou will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will thou give thy Holy man to see decay. Thou made known to me the paths of life. Thou will fill me of joy with thy countenance.
And ye killed the Pathfinder of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And on going, it came to pass for him to approach Damascus. And suddenly there shone around him a light out of heaven. And after falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do thou persecute me? read more. And he said, Who are thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecute. But arise, and enter into the city, and it will be told thee what thou must do. And the men who traveled with him had stopped, speechless, indeed hearing the voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he saw no man. But they brought him into Damascus, leading him by the hand. And he was three days not seeing, and did not eat or drink.
And Ananias departed and entered into the house. And having laid hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, he who appeared to thee on the road on which thou came, has sent me so that thou may receive sight, and be filled of Hol
who was delivered up for our offences, and was raised up for our justification.
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up the Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up the Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some also slept. read more. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty.
which he wrought in the Christ, having raised him from the dead and seated at his right hand in the heavenly things,
who will transform the body of our lowliness, in order for it to become similar in form to the body of his glory, according to the working of his power even to subject all things to himself.
Having been buried with him in immersion, in which also ye were raised together through faith of the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of an eternal covenant--our Lord Jesus--
Because Christ also once suffered for sins, a righteous man for unrighteous men, so that he might bring you to God. Having indeed been killed in flesh, but made alive in 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
Now late on the Sabbath day, being dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that having come, they might anoint him.
And the day was beginning. It was a preparation Sabbath. And having followed closely, the women who were gathered to him out of Galilee, they saw the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. read more. And having returned, they prepared spices and ointments. And they indeed rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this, this man stands here before you healthy.