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
for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol; you will not give your faithful one to see [the] grave.
and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock [him] and flog [him] and crucify [him], and on the third day he will be raised."
Now after the Sabbath, at the dawning on the first [day] of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came up [and] rolled away the stone and sat down on it. read more. Now his appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. And the guards trembled from the fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel answered [and] said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. And go quickly, tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and behold, he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.' Behold, I have told you." And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, [and] ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" And they came up [and] took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
And behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" And they came up [and] took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid! Go tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee, and there they will see me."
And [after they] had assembled with the elders and had taken counsel, they gave a rather large sum of money to the soldiers, telling [them], "Say 'His disciples came during the night [and] stole him [while] we were sleeping.' read more. And if this [matter] is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and {keep you out of trouble}."
So the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated for them. And [when they] saw him, they worshiped [him], but some doubted. read more. And Jesus approached [and] spoke to them, saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go [and] make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the age."
And [as] they were coming down from the mountain, he ordered them that they should tell no one [the things] that they had seen, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
And [after] purchasing a linen cloth [and] taking him down, he wrapped [him] in the linen cloth and placed him in a tomb that had been cut from the rock. And he rolled a stone over the entrance of the tomb.
And [when] the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome purchased fragrant spices so that they could go [and] anoint him. And very early in the morning on the first [day] of the week they came to the tomb [after] the sun had risen. read more. And they were saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?" And [when they] looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away (for it was very large). And [as they] were going into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene who was crucified. He has been raised, he is not here! See the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you." And they went out [and] fled from the tomb, because trembling and amazement had seized them. And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Now early on the first [day] of the week, [after he] rose, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had expelled seven demons. She went out [and] announced [it] to those who were with him [while they] were mourning and weeping. And those, [when they] heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, refused to believe [it]. And after these [things], he appeared in a different form to two of them [as they] were walking, [while they] were going out into the countryside. And these went [and] reported [it] to the others, and they did not believe them. And later, [while] they were reclining at table, he appeared to the eleven. And he reprimanded their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him [after he] had been raised. And he said to them, "Go into all the world [and] preach the gospel to all creation. The one who believes and is baptized will be saved, but the one who refuses to believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will expel demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes. And if they drink any deadly [poison] it will never hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and {they will get} well." Then the Lord Jesus, after [he] had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
and [after] flogging [him] they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise."
Now on the first [day] of the week, at very early dawn, they came back to the tomb bringing the fragrant spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, read more. but [when they] went in, they did not find the body. And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in gleaming clothing stood near them. And [as] they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he spoke to you [while he] was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men [who are] sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?" And they remembered his words, and [when they] returned from the tomb, they reported all these [things] to the eleven and to all the rest. Now Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the [mother] of James and the others with them were telling these [things] to the apostles. And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe them.
And behold, on [that] same day, two of them were traveling to a village {named} Emmaus [that was] sixty stadia distant from Jerusalem, and they were conversing with one another about all these [things] that had happened. read more. And it happened that while they were conversing, and discussing, Jesus himself also approached [and] began to go along with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What [are] these matters that you are discussing with one another [as you] are walking along?" And they stood still, looking sad. And one [of them], {named} Cleopas, answered [and] said to him, "[Are] you the only one living near Jerusalem and not knowing the things that have happened in it in these days?" And he said to them, "What [things]?" So they said to him, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, a man who was a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to a sentence of death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. But in addition to all these [things], this [is] the third day {since} these [things] took place. But also some women from among us astonished us, who were at the tomb early in the morning, and [when they] did not find his body, they came back saying [they] had seen even a vision of angels, who said [that] he was alive! And some of those with us went out to the tomb and found [it] like this, just as the women had also said, but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary [that] the Christ suffer these [things] and enter into his glory?" And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he was going farther. And they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is [getting] toward evening, and by this time the day is far spent." And he went in to stay with them. And it happened that when he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread [and] gave thanks, and [after] breaking [it], he gave [it] to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he became invisible to them. And they said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?" And they got up [that] same hour [and] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled,
And they got up [that] same hour [and] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, saying, "The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!"
saying, "The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!"
saying, "The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!" And they began describing {what happened} on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
And they began describing {what happened} on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. And [while] they were saying these [things], he himself stood there among them. read more. But they were startled and became terrified, [and] thought [they] had seen a ghost. And he said to them, "Why are you frightened? And for what [reason] do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as {you see that I have}."
Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as {you see that I have}." And [when he] had said this, he showed them [his] hands and [his] feet.
So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took [it] [and] ate [it] in front of them.
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And it happened that while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. read more. And they worshiped him [and] 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!" Then the Jews said, "This temple has been under construction forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?" read more. But he was speaking about the temple of his body. So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken.
Because of this the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take possession of it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down {voluntarily}. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take possession of it again. This commandment I received from my Father."
But Mary stood outside at the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bent over to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white, seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. read more. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him!" [When she] had said these [things], she turned {around} and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?" She thought that it was the gardener, [and] said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned around [and] said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni" (which means "Teacher"). Jesus said to her, "Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene came [and] announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and he had said these [things] to her. Now [when it] was evening on that day--the first [day] of the week--and the doors had been shut where the disciples were because of fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace to you." And [when he] had said this, he showed [his] hands and [his] side to them. Then the disciples rejoiced [when they] saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you." And [when he] had said this, he breathed on [them] and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain [the sins] of any, they are retained." Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. [Although] the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, "Peace to you." Then he said to Thomas, "Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put [it] into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!"
Then he said to Thomas, "Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put [it] into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!" Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
After these [things] Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Now he revealed [himself] in this way: Simon Peter and Thomas (who was called Didymus) and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and the [sons] of Zebedee and two others of his disciples were together. read more. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing!" They said to him, "We also are coming with you." They went out and got into the boat, and during that night they caught nothing. Now [when it] was already early morning, Jesus stood on the beach. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish to eat, [do you]? They answered him, "No." And he said to them, "Throw the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find [some]." So they threw [it], and were no longer able to haul it in from the large number of the fish. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" So Simon Peter, [when he] heard that it was the Lord, tied around himself his outer garment (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net of fish, because they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away. So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid [there], and a fish lying on [it], and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught." So Simon Peter got into [the boat] and hauled the net to the land, full of large fish--one hundred fifty-three--and [although there] were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come, eat breakfast!" But none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" [because they] knew that it was the Lord.
Jesus said to them, "Come, eat breakfast!" But none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" [because they] knew that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave [it] to them, and the fish likewise.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave [it] to them, and the fish likewise. This [was] now [the] third [time] Jesus was revealed to the disciples [after he] had been raised from the dead. read more. Now when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon [son] of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs!" He said to him again a second time, "Simon [son] of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." He said to him, "Shepherd my sheep!" He said to him a third [time], "Simon [son] of John, do you love me?" Peter was distressed because he said to him a third [time], "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything! You know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep! Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you tied [your clothes] around yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry [you] where you do not want [to go]. (Now he said this to indicate by what kind of death he would glorify God.) And [after he] had said this, he said to him, "Follow me!" Peter turned [and] saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following [them] (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, "Lord, who is the one betraying you?") So [when he] saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, but what about this one?" Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you? You follow me!" So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you?"
to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God. And [while he] was with [them], he commanded them, "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what was promised by the Father, which you heard about from me. read more. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit {not many days from now}." So [when] they had come together, they began asking him, saying, "Lord, [is it] at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" But he said to them, "It is not for you to know [the] times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power [when] the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth." And [after he] had said these [things], [while] they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. And as they were staring into the sky [while] he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them
God raised {him} up, having brought to an end the pains of death, because it was not possible [for] him to be held by it.
God raised {him} up, having brought to an end the pains of death, because it was not possible [for] him to be held by it. For David says with reference to him, 'I saw the Lord before me {continually}, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken. read more. For this [reason] my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced greatly, furthermore also my flesh will live in hope, because you will not abandon my soul in Hades, nor will you permit your Holy One to experience decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with gladness with your presence.'
And you killed the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses!
Now as [he] proceeded, it happened that [when] he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" read more. So he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he [said], "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting! But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you {what you must do}." (Now the men who were traveling together with him stood speechless, [because they] heard the voice but saw no one.) So Saul got up from the ground, but [although] his eyes were open he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought [him] into Damascus. And he was {unable to see} [for] three days, and he did not eat or drink.
So Ananias departed and entered into the house, and placing [his] hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me so that you may regain [your] sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
who was handed over on account of our trespasses, and was raised up in the interest of our justification.
And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.
And if the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you.
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve, then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, the majority of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep. read more. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
But if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching [is] in vain, and your faith [is] in vain.
which he has worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating [him] at his right hand in the heavenly [places],
who will transform our humble body [to be] conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all [things] to himself.
having been buried with him in baptism, in which also you were raised together with [him] through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, in order that he could bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in 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
Now after the Sabbath, at the dawning on the first [day] of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to view the tomb.
And [when] the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome purchased fragrant spices so that they could go [and] anoint him.
And it was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. And the women who had been accompanying him from Galilee followed [and] saw the tomb and how his body was placed. read more. And they returned [and] prepared fragrant spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man stands before you healthy!