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 to the gentiles, to mock, and scourge, and crucify him; and on the third day he shall be raised.
And after the sabbath, when it began to dawn on the first day of the week, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. read more. And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow; and from fear of him the keepers shook and became like dead men. And the angel answered and said to the women, Fear not, for I know that you seek Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he is raised, as he said. Come and see the place where the Lord lay, and go immediately and tell his disciples that he is raised from the dead; and behold, he will go before you into Galilee; there shall you see him. Behold, I have told you. And going out immediately from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail! And they approached him, and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.
And behold, Jesus also met them, saying, Hail! And they approached him, and took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, Fear not; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And being assembled with the elders, and taking counsel, they gave large sums of money to the soldiers, saying, Say that his disciples came by night and stole him while we slept; read more. and if this is heard of by the procurator we will satisfy him and secure you.
And the eleven disciples went to Galilee on the mountain where Jesus had appointed them; and they saw and worshipped him; but some doubted. read more. And Jesus coming near spoke to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and on the earth; go and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to keep all things which I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always till the consummation of the world.
And coming down from the mountain he charged them to tell no man what they had seen, till the Son of man should have risen from the dead.
And having bought linen, he took him down and wrapped him in the linen, and placed him in a tomb which was cut from a rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
And when the sabbath was passed, Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. read more. And they said to themselves, Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb???4 and looking up they saw that the stone was rolled away??or it was very great.
And coming to the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed with a white robe; and they were astonished. And he said to them, Be not astonished; you seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He is raised; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. read more. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you to Galilee; there you shall see him as he said to you. And they went out and fled from the tomb; and trembling and amazement seized them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. AND having arisen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary the Magdalene from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, who were weeping and lamenting; and when they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. Afterwards he appeared in another form to two of them as they walked, going into the country. And they went and announced it to the rest; they did not believe it. And afterwards he appeared to the eleven, as they reclined, and reproached their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who had seen him since he rose from the dead. And he said to them, Go into all the world, preach the good news to all the creation; he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that disbelieves 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 up serpents, and if they drink any deadly [poison] it shall not hurt them; and they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well. Then the Lord, after speaking with them, was taken up to heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
and they will scourge and kill him, and on the third day he will rise again.
And on the first day of the week, early in the morning, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb; read more. and entering, found not the body. And while they were in doubt about this, behold, two men stood by them in shining clothing. And [the women] being afraid, and bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living with the dead? He is not here, but is raised. Remember how he told you while he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of wicked men to be crucified, and on the third day rise again. And they remembered his words; and returning from the tomb related all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. And they were the Magdalene Mary, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the others with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words appeared to them like idle talk; and they believed them not.
And behold, two of them went the same day to a village about sixty stadiums [7 miles] from Jerusalem, called Emmaus; and they conversed together of all these things which had happened. read more. And as they conversed and reasoned together, Jesus also himself approaching walked with them; but their eyes were restrained that they did not know him. And he said to them, What reports are these which you relate one to the other as you walk and are sad? And one of them answered, whose name was Cleopas, and said to him, Do you live alone at Jerusalem and not know the things which have occurred in it in these days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, The things relating to Jesus the Nazoraean, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to the sentence of death, and crucified him, But we hoped that he was the one who was to redeem Israel. But indeed, also, in addition to all these things, today is the third day since these things occurred; but some of our women also astonished us, who being early at the tomb and not finding his body, came, saying that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And some of those with us went to the tomb, and found even as the women had said; and him they saw not. And he said to them, O foolish men, and of a mind slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? And from Moses, and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. And they approached the village to which they were going; and he pretended to be going farther. And they urged him, saying, Remain with us, for it is near evening, and the day is already past. And he went in to remain with them; and when he reclined with them, taking bread, he blessed, and breaking, gave them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished from their sight. And they said one to the other, Did not our hearts burn within us when he spoke to us on the way? when he opened to us the Scriptures? And rising up the same hour they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven, and those with them, assembled together,
And rising up the same hour they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven, and those with them, assembled together, saying, The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon. And they related the things on the way, and how he was known to them by the breaking of bread.
And they related the things on the way, and how he was known to them by the breaking of bread. And as they were saying these things he stood in the midst of them; read more. and they being terrified and afraid, thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, Why are you troubled? and why do doubts arise in your minds? See my hands and my feet, that I am he; feel of me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have.
See my hands and my feet, that I am he; feel of me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see me have. (Added verse not retained in Sawyer)
And they gave him part of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb; and taking it, he eat before them.
And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, blessed them; and while he was blessing them he departed from them. read more. And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it. Then the Jews said to him, Forty-six years was this temple being built, and will you raise it in three days? read more. But he spoke of the temple of his body. When, therefore, he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus spoke.
Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have a right to lay it down, and I have a right to take it again; this commandment have I received from my Father.
But Mary stood at the tomb outside, weeping. Then as she wept she stooped down to the tomb, and saw two angels in white sitting one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. read more. And they said to her, Woman, why do you weep? She said to them, Because they have taken my Lord and I know not where they have laid him. Having said these words she turned around and beheld Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why do you weep? whom do you seek? She, supposing that he was the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have borne him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him. Jesus said to her, Mary. She, turning around, said to him in Hebrew, Rabboni, which is interpreted, 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 ascend to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Mary the Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he said these things to her. Then when it was evening, on that first day of the week, and the doors were shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, Peace be to you. And having said this he showed them both his hands and his side; then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Then he said to them again, Peace be to you; as the Father has sent me, I also send you. And having said this he breathed on them, and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Those whose sins you forgive, are forgiven; and whose you retain, are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas, Reach here your finger and behold my hands, and reach your hand and put it in my side, and be not faithless but believing.
Then he said to Thomas, Reach here your finger and behold my hands, and reach your hand and put it in my side, and be not faithless but believing. Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
After these things he showed himself again to the disciples at the lake of Tiberias; and he showed himself thus. Simon Peter, and Thomas called the Twin, and Nathaniel who was 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 a fishing. They said to him, We will also go with you. They went out and entered into the ship; and on that night caught nothing, but when it was now morning Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, Children, have you any thing to eat? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship and you shall find. Then they cast it, and they were not able to draw it from the number of fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, It is the Lord. Then Simon Peter, hearing that it was the Lord, girded on his coat, for he was naked, and cast himself into the lake. But the other disciples came with the boat, drawing the net of fishes, for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits distant. Then when they came to land they saw coals placed, and a fish laid upon [them], and bread. Jesus said to them, Bring of the fish that you have now caught. Simon Peter went and drew the net to the land, full of great fishes a hundred and fifty-three; and though there were so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, Come and breakfast. No one of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? for they knew that he was the Lord.
Jesus said to them, Come and breakfast. No one of the disciples dared to ask him, Who are you? for they knew that he was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave them, and the fish likewise.
Jesus came and took the bread and gave them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to his disciples after he had arisen from the dead. read more. When therefore they had breakfasted, 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 am a friend to you. He said to him, Feed my lambs. Again he said to him a second time; Simon, son of John, do you love me? He said to him, Yes, Lord, you know that I am a friend to you. He said to him, Feed my sheep. He said to him a third time; Simon, son of John, are you a friend to me? Peter was grieved that he said to him the third time, Are you a friend to me? and he said to him, Lord you know all things; you know that I am a friend to you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. I tell you most truly, that when you were young you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you become old, you shall stretch out your hands and another shall bind you and carry you where you would not; but he said this signifying by what death he should glorify God; and having said this, he said to him, Follow me. And Peter turning around saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also reclined at the supper on his breast and said, Lord, who is it that is to betray you? Peter seeing him said to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man [do]? Jesus said to him, If I wish him to continue till I come, what is that to you? follow me. The report then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die; but Jesus said not to him, He shall not die; but, If I wish him to continue till I come, what is that to you?
to whom also he presented himself living after his suffering, by many proofs, being seen by them during forty days, and speaking things relating to the kingdom of God. And assembling them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which [says he] you have heard from me; read more. that John baptized indeed with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit after a few days. They therefore having come together asked him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? And he said to them, It is not your [province] to know the times or seasons which the Father has appointed by his own authority; but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and all Judea, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And having said these words, as they were looking on he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. And as they looked steadily to heaven while he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing;
him has God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was not possible that he should be held by it.
him has God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was not possible that he should be held by it. For David says of him, I saw the Lord always before me, he is on my right hand that I should not be moved; read more. therefore my heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad, and my flesh, moreover, shall also live in hope; for thou wilt not leave my soul in hades, nor suffer thy Holy One to see destruction. Thou hast made me know the ways of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy presence.
but killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead, whose witnesses we are.
And he was going and had come nigh to Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven, and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute me? read more. And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. But arise and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. And the men travelling with him stood amazed, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one. And Saul arose from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand they conducted him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither eat nor drank.
And Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way which you came, that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
who was delivered up for our sins and raised for our justification.
And if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
And if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall make alive your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwells in you.
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Afterwards he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, of whom the most continue even to the present time, but some have fallen asleep. read more. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
and if Christ has not been raised, then both our preaching is vain, and your faith also vain;
which he performed in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly [worlds],
who will change our humble body, and make it like his glorious body, by the power by which he is able also to subject all things to himself.
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you have also been raised together through the effectual faith of God who raised him from the dead;
And may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus,
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might lead us 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.
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And after the sabbath, when it began to dawn on the first day of the week, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the tomb.
And when the sabbath was passed, Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And the day was the preparation; the sabbath was dawning. AND women following him who had come up with him from Galilee saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. read more. And they returned and prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the sabbath, according to the commandment.
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazoraean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him has this man stood before you sound.