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 deliver him up to the Gentiles, to be insulted, scourged, and crucified: but the third day he shall rise again.
The sabbath being over, and the first day of the week beginning to dawn, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, came to see the sepulchre. now there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the lord descending from heaven, was come, and had rolled away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it. read more. his aspect was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. for fear of whom the keepers shook, and were almost struck dead. but the angel spoke to the woman, and said, don't be frighted, I know you are seeking Jesus, who was crucified. he is not here: he is risen according to his word: come, see the place where the Lord was laid. then go immediately to tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and that, he goes before you into Galilee, there shall ye see it is him; 'tis I that say it. And they instantly left the sepulchre, with fear and joy, and ran to carry his disciples this good news. as they were making the way to his disciples, Jesus himself met them, and said, I salute you. and they came, and embraced his feet, and worshipped him.
as they were making the way to his disciples, Jesus himself met them, and said, I salute you. and they came, and embraced his feet, and worshipped him. then said Jesus to them, be not afraid: go bid my brethren repair to Galilee, and there shall they see me.
and when they were assembled with the senators, and had consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, thus instructing them; do you say "his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. read more. if this come to the governor's ears, we will appease him, and secure you."
In the mean time the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. and when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. read more. and Jesus came, and said to them, all power has been given me in heaven and in earth. go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: teaching them to observe every thing which I have enjoin'd you: and be assured I shall be always with you to the end of the world.
as they were going down the mountain, he order'd them not to tell any body what they had seen, till the son of man was raised from the dead:
who taking down the body, wrapped it in a fine linnen cloth, which he had bought, and laid it in a sepulchre, which was hewn out of a rock, and roll'd a stone for a door to the sepulchre: and Mary Magdalene,
When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, after having bought aromatic drugs to embalm him, went to the sepulchre very early in the morning, the first day of the week, at sun-rising. read more. and they said to one another, who will remove the stone from the mouth of the sepulchre for us? (for it was very great.) but when they were near in view, they perceiv'd that the stone was roll'd away. upon their entring into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting towards the right, cloathed in a long white garment: at which they were frighted. but he said to them, don't be frightned: you look for Jesus the Nazarene: he is risen, he is not here: see the place where he lay. go, tell Peter and the rest of his disciples, that he is gone before you into Galilee: there you will see him, as he foretold you. at this they started out, and fled from the sepulchre in a violent consternation, without speaking a word to any by the way: they were so frighted. Now Jesus being risen early on the first day of the week, he appear'd first to Mary Magdalene, whom he had dispossess'd of seven demons. immediately she went to those who frequented Jesus, and were then bemoaning themselves in tears, and acquainted them with it. but though they heard that he was alive, and had appear'd to her, they did not believe. after that, he appear'd under another form to two of them, as they were taking a walk into the country. and they went and acquainted the rest: but neither did they believe them. afterwards he appear'd to the eleven, as they were all sitting at table, and he reproved them for their incredulity and obstinacy in not giving credit to those, who had seen him after his resurrection. Then he said to them, go ye into all parts of the world, and preach the gospel to all mankind. he that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that disbelieves, shall be condemned. they that believe shall be endued with these miraculous gifts: in my name they shall cast out demons: they shall speak new languages: they shall handle serpents, and if they drink any mortal poison, it shall do them no hurt: they shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover. Now after the Lord had convers'd with them, he was assum'd up to heaven, where he sat on the right hand of God.
insult him, spit in his face, scourge him, and put him to death; and the third day he shall rise again.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they went to the sepulchre with the spices they had provided, accompanied by several others. and having found that the stone had been remov'd from the sepulchre, they entred in, read more. but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. whilst they were in great perplexity about it, all of a sudden, two men appear'd before them in robes of light. upon which they were frightned, and bowed themselves to the very ground: but the men said to them, why do you look among the dead for one that is alive? he is not here, but is risen: remember what he told you, when he was yet in Galilee, that the son of man must be deliver'd into the hands of sinful men; be crucified; and the third day rise again. then they remembred his words; and upon their return from the sepulchre, they related the whole matter to the eleven, and all the other disciples. it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others with them, who gave the apostles this relation: which however appear'd to them such a delirious tale, they could not give credit to any of them.
The same day two of them went to a village named Emmaus, which was distant about threescore furlongs from Jerusalem: and their conversation ran upon all that had lately happened. read more. now while they were conferring and debating together, Jesus himself join'd them and walk'd along with them. but their eyes were affected so as not to discern who he was. and he said to them, what is the subject of your debate in the way, and why do you look so sad? one of them, Cleopas by name, reply'd, are you such a stranger in Jerusalem as not to know what has so lately happen'd there? what about? said he. why, about Jesus the Nazarean, said they, who was a prophet, eminently recommended, by his doctrine and his works, to the approbation of God and of all the people; and of his being deliver'd up by our chief priests and magistrates to be condemn'd to die, whom they actually crucified: though we expected he would have been the Messiah, that was to deliver Israel: and besides all this, it is now three days since these things were done. 'tis true, some women of our company threw us into a surprize: for going to the sepulchre early in the morning, and not finding his body there, they came to tell us, that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. whereupon some of us went to the sepulchre, and found matters just as the women had related; but him they did not see. then Jesus said to them, how stupidly incredulous are you not to believe things that have been all predicted by the prophets! was not the Messiah to have suffer'd thus, and after that enter into his glory? then beginning at Moses he explain'd all the passages there, and in all the prophets, which related to himself. and they drew nigh the village where they were going: and he seemed as if he would have pass'd on further. but they press'd him, saying, stay with us, for it is late and begins to be dark. so he went in to tarry with them. and as he was at table with them, he took bread, and gave thanks, then brake it and gave it to them; when looking upon him more intently, they perceiv'd that it was Jesus. but he vanish'd out of sight. Upon this, they said to one another, to what ardor did not our affections rise, while he talk'd with us by the way, and while he expounded to us the scriptures? and immediately they set out, and return'd to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven, and the rest of their company, all assembled, who said,
and immediately they set out, and return'd to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven, and the rest of their company, all assembled, who said, the Lord is actually risen, and hath appeared to Simon.
the Lord is actually risen, and hath appeared to Simon.
the Lord is actually risen, and hath appeared to Simon. Thereupon the two disciples related what had hapned on the road, and how they first discover'd who Jesus was at his breaking of bread.
Thereupon the two disciples related what had hapned on the road, and how they first discover'd who Jesus was at his breaking of bread. While they were thus talking, Jesus himself appear'd in the midst of them, and said to them, peace be with you. read more. but they were in a consternation and fright, imagining, that they saw a spirit. upon which he said to them, why are you in this confusion? what is it, that your minds are so perplex'd? behold my hands, and my feet. for I am bodily present, touch me and consider me; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have:
behold my hands, and my feet. for I am bodily present, touch me and consider me; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have: all the while holding out his hands and his feet, as he was speaking.
and they gave him a piece of broil'd fish, and of a honey-comb; which he took, and did eat in their presence.
At length he led them out as far as Bethany; and stretching out his hands, he gave them his benediction. and while he was blessing them, he was taken from them, and carried up into heaven. read more. and they worship'd him, and with great joy return'd to Jerusalem,
Jesus answered them, saying, destroy this temple, and within three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered them, saying, destroy this temple, and within three days I will raise it up.
Jesus answered them, saying, destroy this temple, and within three days I will raise it up. to this said the Jews, forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? read more. but by the temple he meant his body. and when he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembred that expression of his: and they believed the scripture, and what Jesus had said.
therefore doth my father love me, because I lay down my life, but I shall reassume it. no man can take it from me, but I voluntarily lay it down: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. this is the order I have received from my father.
but Mary stood at the entrance of the cave weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down to look into the sepulchre, and saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, the one at the head, the other at the feet. read more. and they said to her, woman, why do you weep? "because, said she, they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." having thus said, she turned about, and saw Jesus standing, but knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, woman, why do you weep? who do you look for? she supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, sir, if it be you that have convey'd him away; tell me where you have laid him, and I will take care to have him remov'd. Jesus said to her, Mary! she bowing her self, cry'd rabboni! that is to say, master! Jesus said to her, touch me not: for I am not yet ascended to my father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, "I ascend unto my father and your father, even my God and your God." so Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, the doors of the house where the disciples were, being shut, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, peace be with you. and when he had so said, he show'd them his hands and his side. the disciples were therefore extremely glad when they saw it was the Lord. then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you." and when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "receive ye the holy spirit. whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye leave unpardoned, they are lest unpardoned." But Thomas, that is, Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
Eight days after, when his disciples were again in private, and Thomas with them: Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, peace be with you. then said he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and examine my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
then said he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and examine my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. Thomas answered, and said to him, my Lord and my God!
At length Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples upon the sea-coast of Tiberias; and the manner of his appearance was thus. Simon Peter, Thomas, otherwise Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus were all together. read more. when Simon Peter said to them, I am going a fishing. they reply'd, we likewise will go with you. so they departed and went on board a vessel,; but that night they caught nothing. as soon as it was morning, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. then said Jesus, my lads, have ye any fish? they answered him, no. and he said to them, cast the net on the right side of the vessel, and ye shall find. so they cast it, and it was so full of fish they were not able to draw it. thereupon the favourite disciple of Jesus said to Peter, "it is the Lord." as soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt on his coat, (for he was stript) and threw himself into the sea. as for the other disciples, they came in the bark dragging the net full of fish, for they were but about two hundred cubits distant from land. assoon as they were come to land, they saw fish frying upon a fire of coals there, and bread. Jesus said to them, bring some of the fish you have now caught. Simon Peter therefore went aboard, and drew the net to land loaded with an hundred and fifty three great fish: and notwithstanding the number, the net did not break. come, said Jesus, let us dine. but none of the disciples offer'd to ask him, who he was; for they saw well enough that it was the Lord.
come, said Jesus, let us dine. but none of the disciples offer'd to ask him, who he was; for they saw well enough that it was the Lord. Jesus then advanc'd, and taking bread, he gave them some, and fish likewise.
Jesus then advanc'd, and taking bread, he gave them some, and fish likewise. this was the third time that Jesus appear'd 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, do you love me more than these do? yes, Lord, said he, you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my lambs. then he ask'd him the second time, Simon son of Jonas do you love me? yes, Lord, said he; you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my sheep. Jesus said to him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, do you love me? Peter was grieved at his asking him the third time, "do you love me?" and he said to him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him, feed my sheep. I tell you for certain, tho' when you was a youth you girded your self, and rambled where you had a mind: yet when you are old, your hands shall be stretch'd out, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee where you will be unwilling to go. this he said to signify to Peter by what death he should glorify God. and when he had spoken this, he said to him, follow me. Then Peter turning about, saw the favourite disciple of Jesus was behind; the same who leaned next to Jesus at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that is to betray you? upon seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall become of him? Jesus said, if I will have him stay till I come, what have you to do with that? do you follow me. which occasion'd a flying rumour among the brethren, that John should not die: tho' Jesus had not said, he shall not die: but, if I will have him stay till I come, what have you to do with that?
to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion, of which they had many proofs, during the forty days he appear'd to them, and inform'd them about the reign of the Messias: being with them when they were assembled, he order'd they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the father had promis'd, which, said he, I mention'd. read more. " for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the holy ghost, not many days hence." Being therefore in his presence, they asked him, saying, Lord, is this the time when you will restore again the kingdom to Israel? and he said to them, it is not for you, to know the times or the seasons, which the father hath reserv'd in his own disposal. but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth. After this discourse, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. and as they were looking stedfastly toward heaven, as he mounted up, on a sudden, two men appear'd before them robed in white, who said,
having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it.
having delivered him from the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be overpower'd by it. for David says concerning him, "I had the Lord always present before me, he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. read more. therefore did my heart rejoice, my tongue was glad: and my body shall rest in hope. because thou wilt not leave my soul in the grave, nor wilt thou give thine holy one a prey to corruption. thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy by thy presence."
but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him, and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more. and he said, who art thou, Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Then trembling with the fright Saul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and the Lord said to him,] but rise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do. the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus, where he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit.
who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
for if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall likewise restore your mortal bodies to life, by his spirit that dwelleth in you.
for if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall likewise restore your mortal bodies to life, by his spirit that dwelleth in you.
that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve: after that, he was seen by above five hundred brethren at once: of whom the greater part remain alive to this day, but some are now dead. read more. after that he was seen by James; then by all the apostles.
and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is empty talk, and your faith even meer amusement.
which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom,
it is he, that will change our vile body into a like form with his glorious body, by displaying that power which is able to subdue all things unto himself.
which were buried (as Christ was) in your baptism, by virtue of which you rise (as he did) to a new life, through a belief of that divine power, which raised him from the dead.
May the God of peace, who has raised from the dead our Lord Jesus (who by the blood of the eternal covenant is become the grand pastor of
for Jesus Christ himself has already suffer'd for our sins, the innocent for the guilty, to bring us to God: who, tho' he died with respect to his body, was rais'd to life by that 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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The sabbath being over, and the first day of the week beginning to dawn, Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, came to see the sepulchre.
When the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, after having bought aromatic drugs to embalm him,
now that day was the preparation, and the sabbath then drew on. the women therefore, who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee, followed Joseph, to the sepulchre, to see how the body was disposed of. read more. then they went home, and provided spices and perfumes: after which they rested the sabbath-day, as the law appointed.
and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you entirely recover'd.