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
And shall deliver him to the Gentiles, to mock and scourge and crucify him; and the third day he shall rise again.
Now after the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre. And behold, there had been a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, had come and rolled away the stone from the door and sat upon it. read more. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled, and became as dead men. But the angel answering said to the women, Fear not ye; for I know ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he said: come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell the disciples, that he is risen from the dead. And behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him. Lo, I have told you. And departing quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy they ran to tell his disciples. And behold Jesus met them and said, Hail. And they came, and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
And behold Jesus met them and said, Hail. And they came, and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then saith Jesus to them, Fear not. Go tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
And having met together with the elders and taken counsel, they gave large mony to the soldiers, Saying, Say his disciples came by night, and stole him while we slept. read more. And if this come to the governour's ears, we will persuade him and secure you.
Then the eleven disciples went into Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, tho' some had doubted. read more. And Jesus came and spake to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and in earth. Go ye and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them to tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And having bought fine linen, he took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre, which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone to the door of the sepulchre.
And when the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had bought spices, that they might come and embalm him. And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they come to the sepulchre, at the rising of the sun. read more. And they said one to another, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? (For it was very great:) And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled away. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man, sitting on the right-side, clothed in a white robe; and they were affrighted. He saith to them, Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen: he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples, and Peter, He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said to you. And going out, they fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: and they said nothing to any; for they were afraid. Now when Jesus was risen early, the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. She went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But they, hearing that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they were walking, going into the country. And they went and told it to the rest, neither believed they them. Afterwards he appeared to the eleven, sitting at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen. And he said to them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, 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: they shall speak with new tongues: They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them: they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat on the right-hand of God.
and the third day he shall rise again.
And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices, which they had prepared and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, And entering, they found not the body of the Lord Jesus. read more. And while they were perplexed concerning it, behold two men stood by them in shining garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their face 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 to you being yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and rise again the third day. And they remembered his words, And returning from the sepulchre, told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
And behold two of them were going the same day to a village called Emmaus, which was sixty furlongs from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. read more. And as they talked and argued together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were holden, so that they did not know him. And he said to them, What discourses are these that ye have one with another, and are sad? And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, Dost thou alone even sojourn at Jerusalem, and hast not known the things, which are come to pass there in these days? And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Those concerning Jesus of Nazareth (who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ) How our chief priests and rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him, But we trusted that it had been he who should have redeemed Israel. And beside all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women of our company astonished us, who were early at the sepulchre, And not finding his body, they came, saying, That they had seen also a vision of angels, who say, he is alive. And some of the men who were with us, went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said; but him they saw not. Then he said to them, O foolish, 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 beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them the things in all the scriptures, concerning himself. And they drew nigh the village whither they were going, and he made as tho' he would go farther. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day declines. And he went in, to abide with them. And as he sat at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed it, and brake and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he was talking to us in the way, and opening the scriptures to us? And rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven met together, and them that were with them,
And rising up the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven met together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told the things done in the way, and how he was known by them in the breaking of the bread.
And they told the things done in the way, and how he was known by them in the breaking of the bread. And as they spake thus, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith to them, Peace be unto you. read more. But being terrified and affrighted, they thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, Why are ye troubled? and why do reasonings arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me have.
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Handle me and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me have. And having spoken this, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and ate before them.
And he led them out as far as Bethany; and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. And while he was blessing them, he was parted from them, and carried 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 I will raise it up in three days.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.
Jesus answered and said to them, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? read more. But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping. And as she wept, she stooped down into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, where the body of Jesus had laid, one at the head, and one at the feet. read more. And they said to her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And having said this, she turned herself back, and seeth Jesus standing, but knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith to her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing him to be the gardiner, saith to him, Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith to her, Mary! She turning, saith to him, Rabboni; that is, Master. Jesus saith 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 to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her. The same day, the first day of the week, at evening, the doors being shut, where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith to them, Peace be unto you. And having said this, he shewed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you. As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And having said this, he breathed on them, and saith to them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted to them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
And eight days after, his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing.
Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; he manifested himself thus. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter saith to them, I go a fishing. They say to him, We also go with thee. They went out and entered into the vessel, but caught nothing that night. When the morning was come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith to them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. And he said to them, Cast your net on the right side of the vessel, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved saith to Peter, It is the Lord. Simon Peter hearing that it was the Lord, girt on his upper coat (for he was stript) and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in the vessel (for they were not far from land, about two hundred cubits) drawing the net, full of fishes. When they came ashore, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith to them, Bring of the fishes which ye have taken now. Simon Peter went on board, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three; and tho' there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus saith to them, Come ye and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus saith to them, Come ye and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh and taketh bread, and giveth to them, and fish likewise.
Jesus then cometh and taketh bread, and giveth to them, and fish likewise. This was the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead. read more. When they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me more than these do? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again, the second time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my sheep. He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he said to him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou didst gird thyself, and walk whither thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch out thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This he said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And having said this, he saith to him, Follow me. Peter turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, what shall this man do? Jesus saith to him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him, That he should not die: but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is it to thee?
To whom also he presented himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. And having assembled them together, he commanded them, not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard from me. read more. For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not many days hence. And when they were come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? But he said to 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, the Holy Ghost being come upon you, and shall be witnesses to me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth. And having spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. And while they were stedfastly looking up to heaven, as he went up,
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was not possible that he should be held under it.
Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, as it was not possible that he should be held under it. For David speaketh concerning him, I have seen the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right-hand, that I may not be moved. read more. Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue exulteth; yea, and my flesh shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in Hades, neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou wilt fill me with joy by thy countenance.
But ye killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.
And as he journeyed, he drew near Damascus; and suddenly there shone about him a light from heaven. And falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying 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 goads. And he trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men that journeyed with him stood astonished, hearing a noise, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw no man; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
And Ananias went and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me, Jesus who appeared to thee in the way thou camest, that thou mayst recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, will also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, will also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Afterwards he was seen by above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep. read more. After this he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead; and he hath made him sit at his own right-hand in heavenly places,
Who will transform our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, acccording to the mighty working, whereby he is able even to subject all things to himself.
Buried with him in baptism, by which ye are also risen with him, through the faith of the operation of God, who raised him from the dead.
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the everlasting covenant,
For Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
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, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.
And when the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Salome, had bought spices, that they might come and embalm him.
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women who had come with him from Galilee, following after, beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. read more. And returning they prepared spices and ointments, and rested the sabbath, according to the commandment.
by what means he is healed, Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand before you whole.