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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For thou wilt not leave my soul in Sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thy Merciful One to see corruption.
and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify; ; and the third day he shall rise again.
Now well along on the sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first of the sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake, for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. read more. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the guards shook and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye, for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goes before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him; behold, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy and ran to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, Receive joy. And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him.
And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, Receive joy. And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said unto them, Be not afraid; go tell my brothers that they may go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And when they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of money to the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. read more. And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and make you secure.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. read more. And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, behold, I am with you always even unto the end of the age. Amen.
And as they came down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen until the Son of man was risen from the dead.
And he bought fine linen and took him down and wrapped him in the linen and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
And when the sabbath of the great feast of the passover was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome had bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first of the sabbaths, they come unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. read more. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting to the right hand side, covered in a long white garment; and they were frightened. But he said unto them, Do not be frightened; Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified; he is risen; 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: there shall ye see him as he said unto you. And they went out quickly and fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they any thing to anyone, for they were afraid. Now as Jesus rose early the first of the sabbaths, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told those that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And they, when they had heard that he was alive and had been seen of her, did not believe. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the others, yet they did not believe them. Finally he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at the table and upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow those that believe: In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take away serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands upon the sick, and they shall be healed. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.
and they shall scourge him and put him to death, but the third day he shall rise again.
Now upon the first of the sabbaths, very early in the morning they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. read more. And they entered in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments; and as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again. Then they remembered his words and returned from the sepulchre and told all these things unto the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and other women that were with them who told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they did not believe them.
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was about sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. read more. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near and went together with them. But their eyes were held fast that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk and are sad? And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? Then he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the princes of the priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who should redeem Israel, and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Although also certain women of our company made us astonished, who before daybreak were at the sepulchre; and when they did not find his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said; but they did not see him. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken; ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter (like this) into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded this unto them in all the scriptures concerning himself. And they drew near unto the village where they went, and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass as he sat at the table with them, he took bread and blessed it and broke and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us in the way and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and those that were with them,
And they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and those that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
And they told what things were done in the way and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. And as they spoke these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said unto them, Peace be unto you. read more. But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed that they were seeing a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.
So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of a honeycomb. And he took it and ate before them.
And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them and carried up into heaven. read more. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy
Jesus answered and said unto them, Dissolve this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Dissolve this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Dissolve this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, This temple was forty-six years in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? read more. But he spoke of the temple of his body. Therefore when he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my soul that I might take it again. No man takes it 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 commandment I have received of my Father.
But Mary stood outside near the sepulchre weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the sepulchre and saw two angels in white sitting, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been placed. read more. And they said unto her, Woman, why dost thou weep? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, Woman, why dost thou weep? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said unto him, Lord, if thou didst carry him off, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary! Turning herself around, she said unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master. Jesus said unto her, Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene came giving the news to the disciples, That I have seen the Lord, and he spoke these things unto me. Then the same day at evening, being the first of the sabbaths, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst and said unto them, Peace be unto you. And having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit; unto those whose sins ye release, they shall be released; and unto those whose sins ye retain, they shall be retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And again eight days later, his disciples were within and Thomas with them; then Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace be unto you. Then he said to Thomas, Reach here thy finger and behold my hands and reach here thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not unbelieving, but faithful.
Then he said to Thomas, Reach here thy finger and behold my hands and reach here thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not unbelieving, but faithful. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, and he manifested himself in this manner: Simon Peter and Thomas, called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two other of his disciples were together. read more. Simon Peter said unto them, I am going fishing. They said unto him, Let us also go with thee. They went forth and entered into a ship immediately, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not understand that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have ye any food? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right hand side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in the little ship (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits), dragging the net with the fishes. As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three; and being so many, yet the net was not broken. Jesus said unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared to ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus said unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples dared to ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave them, and the fish likewise.
Jesus then came and took the bread and gave them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Jesus manifested himself to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead. read more. So when they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He said unto him, Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, Feed my lambs. He said to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He said unto him, Yes, Lord thou knowest that I love thee. He said unto him, Feed my sheep. He said unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself and walk where thou wouldest, but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee and carry thee where thou wouldest not. This he spoke, signifying by what death he should clarify God. And when he had spoken this, he said unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrays thee? Peter seeing him said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus said unto him, If I will that he tarry until I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then this saying went abroad among the brethren that that disciple should not die; yet Jesus did not say unto him, He shall not die, but, If I will that he tarry until I come, what is that to thee?
unto whom he also showed himself alive, after he had suffered, by many infallible proofs, appearing unto them for forty days and speaking to them of the kingdom of God; and gathering them together, he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, Which, he said, ye have heard of me. read more. For John truly baptized in water, but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Then those that were come together asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put under his authority only. But ye shall receive the virtue of the Holy Spirit which shall come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved, read more. therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover even my flesh shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
and killed the Author of life, whom God has raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And as he proceeded, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; and falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? read more. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou dost persecute; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what it behooves thee to do. And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the earth; and opening his eyes, he saw no one; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus where he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Then Ananias went and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared unto thee in the way as thou didst come, has sent me, that thou might receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.
And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up the Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up the Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
and that he appeared to Cephas and then to the twelve; after that, he appeared unto more than five hundred brothers at once, of whom the greater part remain unto now, but some are fallen asleep. read more. After that, he appeared unto James; then to all the apostles.
and if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain.
which operated in the Christ, raising him from the dead and setting him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Who shall transform our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is also able to subdue all things unto himself.
buried together with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal testament,
For the Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the 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.
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Now well along on the sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first of the sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And when the sabbath of the great feast of the passover was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome had bought sweet spices that they might come and anoint him.
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women who had come with him from Galilee also followed after and beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid. read more. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
be it known unto you all and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.