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.'"
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and they will deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and scourge, and crucify Him: and on the third day He will rise.
And late on the Sabbath-day, on the dawn toward the first of the Sabbaths, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel descending from heaven, having come rolled away the stone from the door, and sat upon it. read more. And his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And from fear of him the keepers did quake, and they became like dead men. And the angel responding, said to the women, Be ye not afraid: for I know that you are seeking Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And going quickly, tell His disciples, that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He goes before you into Galilee; and there you shall see Him; lo, I have told you. And having come out quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy, they were running to tell His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. And they having come forward, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, Hail. And they having come forward, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus says to them, Fear not: go tell my brethren, that they may depart into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And being assembled along with the elders, and taking counsel, they gave much money to the soldiers, saying, You tell, that His disciples, having come by night, stole Him away while we slept. read more. And if this may be heard by the governor, we will persuade him and make you secure.
And the eleven disciples went away into Galilee into the mountain where Jesus commanded them: and seeing Him, they worshiped Him: but some doubted. read more. And Jesus having come spoke to them, saying, All authority is given unto me in heaven and upon earth. Going, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things which I commanded you. And lo, I am with you all the days, unto the end of the age.
And they coming down from the mountain, He charged them, that they should relate to no one the things which they saw, until the Son of man may rise from the dead.
And having purchased linen, and taking Him down, he wrapped Him in the linen, and placed Him in a sepulcher which had been hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher.
And the Sabbath passing away, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, prepared aromatics, in order that having come they may anoint Him. And exceedingly early in the morning, the first of the Sabbaths, they come to the sepulcher, the sun approaching the horizon. read more. And they were saying to themselves, Who shall for us roll away the stone from the sepulcher? And looking up, they see that the stone has already been rolled away: for it was exceedingly great. And having come to the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right, clothed in a white robe. And they were affrighted. But he says to them, Fear not: you are seeking Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified: He is risen; He is not here: see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples and Peter, that He goes before you into Galilee: you shall see Him there, as He told you. And having come out from the sepulcher, they fled; and trembling and ecstasy possessed them, and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid. OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT OMITTED TEXT
And on the first of the Sabbath, at the depth of the dawn, they came to the sepulcher, bearing the aromatics which they had prepared, And they found the stone, having been rolled away from the sepulcher. read more. And coming in they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were at a loss concerning this, and behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and they being afraid, and turning their face towards the ground, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but He is risen. Remember how He spoke to you, being with you in Galilee, Saying That it behooveth the Son of man to be delivered into the hands of sinners, and to be crucified, and to rise again on the third day. And they remembered His words. And having returned from the sepulcher, they proclaimed all these things to the eleven, and all the rest. And Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them spoke these things to the apostles. And their words appeared before them like a dream; and they doubted them.
And behold, two of them on that day were journeying to a village, distant from Jerusalem sixty furlongs, to which was the name Emmaus: and they were conversing with one another concerning all those things which had transpired. read more. And it came to pass, while they are talking and making inquiry, Jesus Himself also having come nigh, journeyed along with them: and their eyes were held so as not to recognize Him. And He said to them, What speeches are these which you are interchanging to one another, walking along? And they stood still, looking sad. And one, whose name was Cleopas, said to Him, Dost thou only sojourn at Jerusalem and not know the things which have taken place in it in these days? And He said to them, What? And they said to Him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet-man mighty in work and word before God and all the people. How the chief priests and our rulers indeed delivered Him up to the condemnation of death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He is the one about to redeem Israel: but truly in addition to all these things, this is the third day from which these things took place. But certain women from us truly surprised us, being early at the sepulcher; and not seeing His body, came, saying, they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that He is alive. And certain ones of those with us went away to the sepulcher, and found as the women also said: and they saw Him not. And He said to them, O ye foolish, and slow in heart to believe in all those things which the prophet spoke! Did it not behoove Christ to suffer, and to enter into His glory? And beginning from Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures, the things concerning Himself. And they drew nigh to the village, whither they were going: and He made as though He would go further: and they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us: because it is at the evening, and the day has already declined. And He came in to abide with them. And it came to pass, while He was reclining with them at the table, taking bread, He blessed it, and breaking it, He gave it to them: and their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from them. And they said to one another, Did not our heart bum within us, while He was talking to us on the way, as He was expounding the Scriptures to us? And rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those with them gathered together,
And rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those with them gathered together, saying, The Lord indeed is risen, and was seen by Simon.
saying, The Lord indeed is risen, and was seen by Simon.
saying, The Lord indeed is risen, and was seen by Simon. And they expounded those things on the way, and bow He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
And they expounded those things on the way, and bow He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. And they speaking these things, He stood in their midst, read more. and they being affrighted and filled with fear, thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, Why are you excited, and why do reasonings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that I am He: feel me; and see, because a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me having.
See my hands and my feet, that I am He: feel me; and see, because a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me having. OMITTED TEXT
And they gave Him a piece of baked fish: and taking it, He did eat in their presence.
And He led them out even unto Bethany; and having lifted up His hands, He blessed them. And it came to pass, while He was blessing them, He departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. read more. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
Jesus responded and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up.
Jesus responded and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up.
Jesus responded and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up. Then the Jews said, Forty and six years was this temple being built, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? read more. But He spoke concerning the temple of His body. Then when He arose from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said these things, and believed the Scripture and words which Jesus spoke.
Therefore my Father loves Me, because I lay down my soul, that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and power to receive it again. I received this commandment from my Father.
And Mary was standing at the sepulcher without, weeping: then while she was weeping, she looked into the sepulcher; and sees two angels sitting in white robes, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus lay. read more. They say to her, Woman, why do you weep? She says to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have placed Him. Saying these words, she turned backward, and sees Jesus standing, and did not know that He is Jesus. Jesus says to her, Woman, why are you weeping? whom are you seeking? She, thinking that He is the gardener, says to Him, Sir, if you have taken Him away, tell me where you have placed Him, and I will take Him. Jesus says to her, Mary: she turning, says to Him in Hebrew, Rabboni, which is called Teacher. Jesus says to her, Cling not to me; for I have not ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Mary Magdalene comes proclaiming to the disciples, I have seen the Lord; and He spoke these things to her. Then it being evening, on that day, on the first day of the week, and the doors being shut where the disciples were assembled, on account of the fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and says to them, Peace be unto you. And saying this, He shewed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples rejoiced, seeing the Lord. And Jesus said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, I also send you. And saying this, He breathed on them, and says to them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you may remit, are remitted unto them; whose sins you may retain, have been retained. And Thomas, one of the twelve, the one called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days His disciples were again within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus comes, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then He says to Thomas, Bring hither your finger, and see my hands, and bring your hand, and cast it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Then He says to Thomas, Bring hither your finger, and see my hands, and bring your hand, and cast it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas responded and said to Him, My Lord and my God.
After these things, Jesus again manifested Himself to His disciples, at the Sea of Tiberias; and He thus manifested Himself. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael the one from Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples, were together. read more. Simon Peter says to them, I go to fish. They say to Him, We also go along with you. They went out, and entered into a ship, and that night caught nothing. And it being now morning, Jesus stood on the shore: the disciples did not know that He is Jesus. Then Jesus says to them; Little children, whether have you any meat? They respond to Him, No. He says to them, Cast the net to the right side of the ship, and you will find: then they cast it, and were not able to draw it on account of the multitude of the fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, He is the Lord. Then Simon Peter hearing that He is the Lord, girded on his fishing-cloak (for he was unclothed), and cast Himself into the sea: and the other disciples came in the ship (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits), drawing the net of the fishes. Then when they came to the land, they see fire lying, and fish and bread lying on it. Jesus said to them, Take from the fishes which you now caught. And Simon Peter came up, and drew the net to the land, full of a hundred and fifty-three large fishes: and there being so many yet the net was not broken. Jesus says to them, Come, take breakfast. But no one of the disciples dared to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that He is the Lord.
Jesus says to them, Come, take breakfast. But no one of the disciples dared to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that He is the Lord. Jesus comes, and takes bread, and gives it to them, and fish likewise.
Jesus comes, and takes bread, and gives it to them, and fish likewise. And this third time Jesus was already manifested to His disciples, having risen from the dead. read more. Then when they took breakfast, Jesus says to Simon Peter; Simon, the son of Jonah, dost thou love me with divine love more than these? He says to Him, Yes, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee as a friend. He says to him; Feed my lambs. Again He says to him a second time, Simon, the son of Jonah, do you love me with divine love? He says to Him; Thou knowest that I love thee as a friend. He says to him; Shepherdize my sheeplings. He says to him a third time; Simon, the son of Jonah, do you love me as a friend? Peter was grieved, because He said to him the third time, Do you love me as a friend? And he says to Him, Lord, thou knowest all things; and thou dost understand that I love thee as a friend. He says to Him, Feed my sheeplings. Truly, truly, I say unto you, When you were young, you girded yourself, and walked about where you wished: but when you get old, you will reach forth your hands, and another will lead you, where you do not wish. And He spoke this, signifying by what death he shall glorify God. And having spoken this, He says to him, Follow me. And Peter turning sees the disciple, whom Jesus loved, following; who also leaned upon His breast in the supper, and said; Lord, who is the one having betrayed thee? Then Peter seeing him says to Jesus; Lord, but what shall he do? And Jesus says to him, If I wish him to tarry until I come, what is that to thee? Then that word went out to the brethren that that disciple does not die. And Jesus did not say to him, that he does not die; but, If I wish him to tarry until I come.
To whom He also, after He suffered, manifested Himself alive in many testimonials, being seen by them forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: and being assembled together with them, He commanded them, Not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which ye heard from me; read more. that John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Therefore indeed having assembled, they asked Him saying, Lord, do you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them; It is not your province, to know the times or seasons, which the Father placed in His own authority. But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost having come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and in Samaria, and into the extremity of the earth. And having spoken these words, they looking, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him from their eyes. And while they were gazing up into the heaven, He going, and behold, two men stood by them in white garments, who also said,
whom God raised up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was impossible that he should be held by it.
whom God raised up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was impossible that he should be held by it. For David says in reference to him, I foresaw my Lord always before me, because he is on my right hand, in order that I may not be moved. read more. Therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad, and my flesh shall indeed still rest in hope, because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt fill me with gladness with thy countenance.
and you slew the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, whose witnesses we are.
And it came to pass, while prosecuting the journey he drew near to Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him; and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? read more. And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But stand up, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what it behooves thee to do. And the men journeying along with him stood speechless, indeed hearing the voice, but seeing no one. And Saul arose from the ground; and his eyes being open, he saw nothing: but leading him by the hand, they led him into Damascus; and he was three days not seeing, neither did he eat nor drink.
And Ananias departed, and came into the house: and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, that appeared to you in the way in which thou didst come, hath sent me, that thou mayest look up, and he filled with the Holy Ghost.
who was delivered on account of our transgressions, and raised for our justification.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also create life in your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, the one having raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also create life in your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.
and that he was seen by Cephas; then by the twelve. Then he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once, of whom the more remain unto this day, but some have fallen asleep. read more. Then he was seen by James; then by all the apostles.
but if Christ is not risen, then indeed is our preaching vain, and your faith is vain.
which he has wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead, and seating him on his right hand in the heavenlies,
who will transform the body of our humility, similitudinous to the body of his own glory, according to the energy by which he is able indeed to subdue all things to himself.
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you are also raised by the faith of the operation of God, who raised him from the dead:
And the God of peace, the one having raised up from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Because Christ indeed once died for our sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, indeed being put to death in the flesh, but quickened 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.
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And late on the Sabbath-day, on the dawn toward the first of the Sabbaths, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher.
And the Sabbath passing away, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, prepared aromatics, in order that having come they may anoint Him.
And it was Preparation day, and the Sabbath was drawing nigh. And the women, who had come along with him out of Galilee, having followed down, saw the sepulcher, and where His body was placed. read more. And having returned, they prepared aromatics and myrrh: and they kept the Sabbath according to the commandment.
let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, through him this man now stands sound in your presence.