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 why? Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell, neither shalt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.
and shall deliver him to the gentiles, to be mocked, to be scourged, and to be crucified: and the third day he shall rise again."
The Sabbath day, at even, which dawneth the morrow after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came 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 keepers were astunned, and became as dead men. The angel answered, and said to the women, "Fear ye not. I know well that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here. He is risen, as he said. Come, and see the place where the Lord was put. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from death. And behold, he will go before you into Galilee: there ye shall see him. Lo I have told you." And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great Joy. And did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples: behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail." They came and held him by the feet and worshipped him.
And as they went to tell his disciples: behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail." They came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, "Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."
And they gathered them together with the elders, and took counsel, and gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, "Say that his disciples came by night, and stole him away while ye slept." read more. And if this come to the ruler's ears, we will appease him, and save you harmless.
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him. But some of them doubted. read more. And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth. Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy ghost; teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you. And lo, I am with you always even until the end of the world."
And as they came down from the hill, he charged them, that they should tell no man what they had seen, till the son of man were risen from death again.
But after that I am risen again I will go into Galilee before you."
And he bought a linen cloth, and took him down and wrapped him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb, that was hewn out of the rock. And rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
And when the Sabbath day was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Joseph, and Salome, bought ointments, that they might come and anoint him. And early in the morning, the next day after the Sabbath day, they came unto the sepulchre when the sun was risen. read more. And they said one to another, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" And when they looked, they saw how the stone was rolled away. For it was a very great one, and they went into the sepulchre, and saw a young man, sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were abashed. And he said unto them, "Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen, he is not here. Behold the place, where they put him. But go your way, and tell his disciples, and namely Peter, that he will go 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 anything to any man, for they were afraid. When Jesus was risen, the morrow after the Sabbath day he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he cast seven devils. And she went, and told them that were with him, as they mourned and wept. And though they heard that he was alive, and he had appeared to her: they believed it not. After that, he appeared unto two of them in a strange figure, as they walked and went into the country. And they went, and told it to the remnant. And they believed them neither. After that he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat: and cast in their teeth their unbelief, and hardness of heart: because they believed not them which had seen him after his resurrection. And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the glad tidings to all creatures: He that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved: But he that believeth not, shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name they shall cast out devils, and shall speak with new tongues, and shall kill serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay their hands on the sick, and they shall recover." So then when the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received into heaven, and is set down on the righthand of God.
and when they have scourged him, they will put him to death, and the third day, shall he arise again."
On the morrow after the Sabbath, early in the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had prepared, and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, read more. and went in: but found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were amazed thereat, behold, two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here: but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet with you in Galilee, saying that the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the remnant. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary Joseph; And others that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them.
And behold, two of them went that same day to a town, which was from Jerusalem about three score furlongs, called Emmaus: and they talked together of all these things that had happened. read more. And it chanced, as they communed together, and reasoned, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden, that they could 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 the one of them named Cleopas, answered, and said unto him, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which have chanced therein in these days?" To whom he said, "What things?" And they said unto him, "Of Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet, mighty in deed and word, before God and all the people. And how the high priests, and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death: and have crucified him. But we trusted, that it should have been he that should have delivered Israel. And as touching all these things, today is even the third day, that they were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished: which came early unto the sepulchre, and found not his body. And came saying, that they had seen a vision of angels which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us, went their way to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not." And he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" And he began at Moses, and at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were written of him. And they drew nigh unto the town which they went to. And he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it draweth towards night, and the day is far passed." And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it unto them. And their eyes were opened. And they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight, and they said between themselves, "Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, as he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
And they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, which said, "The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon."
which said, "The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon."
which said, "The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon." And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread.
And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him in breaking of bread. As they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, "Peace be with you." read more. And they were abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen 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 even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands, and his feet.
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And he took it, and ate it before them.
And he led them out into Bethany, and lift up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, as he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. read more. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up again."
Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up again."
Jesus answered, and said unto them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will rear it up again." Then said the Jews, "Forty six years was this temple a building: and wilt thou raise it up in three days?" read more. But he spake of the temple of his body. As soon, therefore, as he was risen from death again, his disciples remembered that he thus said unto them. And they believed the scripture, and the words which Jesus had said.
Therefore doth my father love me: because I put my life from me, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me: but I put it away of myself. I have power to put it from me, and power I have to take it again. This commandment have I received of my father."
Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: And as she wept, she bowed herself into the sepulchre and saw two angels clothed in white sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where they had laid the body of Jesus. read more. And they said unto her, "Woman why weepest thou?" She said unto them, "For they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." When she had thus said, she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, "Woman why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?" She, supposing that he had been the gardener, said unto him, "Sir if thou have borne him hence tell me where thou hast laid him, that I may fetch him." Jesus said unto her, "Mary." She turned herself, and said unto him, "Rabboni," which is to say, Master. Jesus said unto her, "Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my father. But go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my father, and your father: to my God and your God." Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken such things unto her. The same day at night, which was the morrow after the Sabbath day, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled together for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and feet, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you." And when he had said that, he breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive the holy ghost. Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained." But Thomas one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days again, his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Jesus then came when the doors were shut, and stood in the midst and said, "Peace be with you." After that said he to Thomas, "Bring thy finger hither and see my hands, and bring thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing."
After that said he to Thomas, "Bring thy finger hither and see my hands, and bring thy hand and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing." Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord, and my God."
After that, Jesus showed himself again at the sea of Tiberias. And on this wise showed he himself: There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, which is called Didymus: and Nathaniel of Cana a city of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of the disciples. read more. Simon Peter said unto them, "I go a fishing." They said unto him, "We also will go with thee." They went their way and entered into a ship straightway, and that night caught they nothing. But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore. Nevertheless, the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto them, "Sirs, have ye any meat?" They answered him no. And he said unto them, "Cast out the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find." They cast out, and anon they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then said the disciple whom Jesus loved unto Peter, "It is the Lord." When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his mantle to him, for he was naked, and sprang into the sea. The other disciples came by ship: For they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits; And they drew the net with fishes. As soon as they were come to land, they saw hot coals laid and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said unto them, "Bring of the fishes which ye have now caught." Simon Peter stepped forth and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty three. And for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus said unto them, "Come and dine." And none of the disciples durst ask him, "What art thou?" For they knew that it was the Lord.
Jesus said unto them, "Come and dine." And none of the disciples durst ask him, "What art thou?" For they knew that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took bread, and gave them, and fish likewise.
Jesus then came and took bread, and gave them, and fish likewise. And this is now the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples, after that he was risen again from death. read more. When they had dined, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon the son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" He said unto him, "Yea Lord, thou knowest, that I love thee." He said unto him, "Feed my lambs." He said to him again the second time, "Simon the son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" He said unto him, "Yea Lord thou knowest that I love thee." He said unto him, "Feed my sheep." He said unto him the third time, "Simon the son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" And Peter sorrowed because he said to him the third time, "Lovest thou me," and said unto him, "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 girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and lead thee whither thou wouldest not." That spake he signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had said thus, he said to him, "Follow me." Peter turned about, and saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, "Lord which is he that shall betray thee?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord what shall he here do?" Jesus said unto him, "If I will have him to tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me." Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. And yet Jesus said not to him, he shall not die: but, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?"
to whom also he showed himself alive, after his passion, by many tokens; appearing unto them forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God; and gathered them together, and commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but to "Wait for the promise of the father, whereof ye have heard of me. read more. For John baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy ghost, and that within this few days." When they were come together, they 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 hath put in his own power: but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end." And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up: and a cloud received him up out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly up to heaven, as he went; behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it.
and loosed the sorrows of death, because it was impossible that he should be holden of it. For David speaketh of him, 'Aforehand, saw I God always before me: For he is on my righthand, that I should not be moved. read more. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad. Moreover also, my flesh shall rest in hope because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt suffer thine holy to see corruption. Thou hast showed me the ways of life; and shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.'
and killed the Lord of life whom God hath raised from death, of the which we are witnesses:
But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" read more. And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick." And he, both 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 thou shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost."
Which was delivered for our sins, and rose again for to justify us.
Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you.
Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you.
and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that, he was seen of more than five hundred brethren at once: of which many remain unto this day, and many are fallen asleep. read more. After that appeared he to James, then to all the apostles.
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain.
which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and set him on his righthand in heavenly things,
which shall change into another fashion our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.
The God of peace that brought again from death our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting testament,
Forasmuch as Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, for to bring us to God, and was killed, as pertaining to the flesh: but was quickened 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.
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The Sabbath day, at even, which dawneth the morrow after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulchre.
And when the Sabbath day was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary Joseph, and Salome, bought ointments, that they might come and anoint him.
And that day was the Sabbath even; And the Sabbath drew on. The women that followed after, which came with him from Galilee, beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid. read more. And they returned, and prepared odours, and ointments; but 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, and whom God raised from death again, even by him doth this man stand here present before you whole.