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 turn Him over to the heathen to mock and flog and crucify, but on the third day He will rise again."
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to get a look at the tomb. Now there had been a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and went and rolled the boulder back and remained sitting upon it. read more. His appearance was as bright as lightning and his clothes as white as snow. The men on guard trembled in awe of him, and became like dead men. And the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, as He said He would do. Come, get a look at the place where He was lying. Then run and tell His disciples, 'He has risen from the dead, and is going back to Galilee ahead of you; you will see Him there.' This is my message to you." So off they hurried from the tomb, frightened and yet in ecstasy, and ran to break the news to His disciples. Then Jesus met them Himself, and said, "Good morning!" And they went up to Him and clasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
Then Jesus met them Himself, and said, "Good morning!" And they went up to Him and clasped His feet, and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go, tell my brothers to go back to Galilee, and there they will see me."
So they met and held a consultation with the elders, and bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money, and said to them, "Tell the people that His disciples came by night, while we were sleeping, and stole Him away. read more. And if news of it gets to the governor's ears, we will make it all right with him, and keep you out of trouble."
The eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them, and as soon as they saw Him, they fell down and worshiped Him, though some were in doubt about it. read more. Then Jesus came up to them, and said, "Full authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptize them into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to practice all the commands that I have given you. And I myself will surely be with you all the days, down to the very close of an age."
And while they were going down the mountain, He cautioned them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man should rise from the dead.
But after I am raised from the dead, I will go back to Galilee to meet you."
So he bought a linen sheet, then took Him down from the cross, wrapped Him in the linen sheet, and laid Him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a boulder up to the doorway of the tomb.
When the Sabbath had ended, Mary of Magdala, Mary, James's mother, and Salome bought spices to go and anoint Him. It was very early, just after the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, when they went to the tomb. read more. And they kept saying to one another, "Who will roll the boulder back from the doorway of the tomb for us?" Then they looked up and saw that the boulder had already been rolled to one side, for it was a very large one. And when they went into the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting at the right; and they were utterly astounded. But he said to them, "You must not be so astounded; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See! Here is the spot where they laid Him. But you go and tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going back to Galilee to meet you; you will see Him there, just as He told you.'" Then they left the tomb and fled, for they were trembling and bewildered, and they did not tell anybody a single thing about it, for they were afraid to do so. Now after He had risen, early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary of Magdala, out of whom He had driven seven demons. She went out and told it to His disciples, while they were mourning and weeping. But although they had heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After this He showed Himself in a different form to two of them as they were walking along, on their way into the country. Then they went back and told the rest, but they would not believe them either. Later on He appeared to the Eleven themselves while they were at table, and reproved them for their lack of faith and their stubbornness, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had been raised from the dead. Then He said to them, "You must go all over the world and preach the good news to all the creation. He who believes it and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe it will be condemned. And the following signs will attend those who believe: By using my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in foreign languages; they will take snakes in their hands; even if they drink anything poisonous, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well." So the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was caught up into heaven and took His seat at God's right hand.
and then they will flog Him and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again."
Now on the Sabbath they rested, in accordance with the commandment, but on the first day of the week at early dawn they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. But they found the boulder rolled back from the tomb, read more. and yet on going inside they did not find the body. And as they were being perplexed about this, two men in dazzling robes suddenly took their stand beside them. Because the women were so frightened and were turning their faces to the ground, they said to them, "Why are you looking among the dead for Him who is alive? [He is not here but has risen.] Remember what He told you while He was still in Galilee, when He said that the Son of Man had to be turned over to wicked men and crucified, but was to rise again on the third day." Then they recalled His words and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the Eleven and all the rest. They were Mary of Magdala and Joanna, and Mary, James's mother, who, with the other women, reported these things to the apostles. But the report seemed to them to be nonsense, and so they continued to disbelieve the women.
On that very day, strange to say, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and were talking together about all these things that had taken place. read more. And as they were talking, and discussing these things, Jesus Himself came up near to them and continued to walk with them, but their eyes were in such a state as to keep them from recognizing Him. Then He said to them, "What is this that you are discussing together as you walk?" So they stopped and stood still with puzzled countenances. Finally one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered Him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who has not heard of the things that have taken place there in these last days?" And He said to them, "What sort of things?" They answered Him, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who in the sight of God and of all the people became a prophet mighty in deed and word, and how the high priests and leading men turned Him over to be sentenced to death, and had Him crucified. But we kept hoping that He was the One who was coming to set Israel free. Moreover, besides all this, it is now the third day since these things occurred. Yes, indeed, some women of our number have astounded us! They went to the tomb early this morning and could not find His body, but came and told us that they had actually had a vision of angels who said He was alive. Then some of our company went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Him." Then He said to them, "O men sluggish in mind and slow in heart to believe all that the prophets have said! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and thus to enter into His glory?" Then He began with Moses and went through all the prophets and explained to them all the passages in the Scriptures about Himself. Then they approached the village to which they were going, and He acted as though He were going on farther, but they earnestly urged Him, and said, "Stop and stay with us, for it is getting toward evening and the day is nearly spent." So He went in to stay with them. And after He had taken His place at table with them, He took the loaf and blessed it and broke it in pieces and handed it to them. Then their eyes were instantly opened and they recognized Him, and at once He vanished from them. Then they said to each other, "Did not our hearts keep burning in our bosoms as He was talking to us on the road, as He went on explaining the Scriptures to us?" So at once they got up and went back to Jerusalem and found the Eleven and their company all together,
So at once they got up and went back to Jerusalem and found the Eleven and their company all together, who told them that the Lord had really risen and had been seen by Simon.
who told them that the Lord had really risen and had been seen by Simon.
who told them that the Lord had really risen and had been seen by Simon. Then they themselves began to tell what had occurred on the road, and how He was recognized by them when He broke the loaf in pieces.
Then they themselves began to tell what had occurred on the road, and how He was recognized by them when He broke the loaf in pieces. Even while they were talking about these things, He took His stand among them Himself, [and said to them, "Peace to you!"] read more. and they were so startled and terror-stricken that they were beginning to think that they saw a ghost. But He said to them, "Why are you so disturbed and why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, for it is I, myself. Feel of me and see for yourselves, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
Look at my hands and my feet, for it is I, myself. Feel of me and see for yourselves, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." [After He had said this He showed them His hands and His feet.]
Then they gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He took it and ate it before their eyes.
Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up His hands and blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He parted from them, and was taken up to heaven. read more. And with great joy they went back to Jerusalem;
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it in three days."
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it in three days."
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this sanctuary, and I will raise it in three days." Then the Jews retorted, "It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and you are going to raise it in three days!" read more. But He meant the sanctuary of His body. So after He had risen from the dead, His disciples recalled that He had said this, and so believed the Scripture and the statement that He had made.
This is why the Father loves me, because I am giving my own life to take it back again. No one has taken it from me, but I am giving it as a free gift. I have the right to give it and I have the right to take it back. I have gotten this order from my Father."
But Mary stood just outside the tomb and kept weeping. So, as she was weeping, she stooped down and peered into the tomb and saw seated there two angels in white robes, one at the head, one at the feet, where Jesus' body had lain. read more. And they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put Him." On saying this she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Because she supposed it was the gardener, she said to Him, "If it was you, sir, who carried Him away, tell me where you put Him, and I will remove Him." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" At once she turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to me so, for I have not yet gone up to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them that I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." Mary of Magdala went and announced to the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had told her this. In the evening of that same first day of the week, even with the doors of the room bolted where the disciples had met for fear of the Jews, Jesus went in and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you!" On saying this, He showed them His hands and His side, and the disciples were thrilled with joy over seeing their Lord. Jesus again said to them, "Peace be with you! Just as my Father has sent me forth, so I am now sending you." On saying this, He breathed upon them, and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit! If you get forgiveness for people's sins, they are forgiven them; if you let people's sins fasten upon them, they will remain fastened upon them." Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, who was called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came in.
Just a week later the disciples were in the room again and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were bolted, Jesus came in and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands, and take your hand and put it in my side, and stop being an unbeliever, but be a believer!"
Then He said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands, and take your hand and put it in my side, and stop being an unbeliever, but be a believer!" Thomas answered Him, "My Lord and my God!"
After this Jesus again showed Himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias, and this is the way He showed Himself. Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples of Jesus, were all together. read more. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you too." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Now just as day was breaking, Jesus took His stand on the shore, though the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, "Lads, you have no fish, have you?" They answered, "No." Then He said to them, "Set your net on the right side of the boat, and you will catch them." They did so, and they could not drag it in for the big catch of fish. So that disciple whom Jesus used to love tenderly said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he belted on his fisherman's coat, for he had taken it off, and plunged into the sea. The rest of the disciples followed in the little boat, for they were not far from shore -- only about a hundred yards -- dragging in the net full of fish. When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire all made and a fish lying on it; also some bread. Jesus said to them, "Fetch some of the fish you have just caught." So Simon Peter got into the boat, and pulled the net ashore, full of big fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared to ask Him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord.
Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared to ask Him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus went and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish too.
Jesus went and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish too. This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after He had risen from the dead. read more. After they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, are you more devoted to me than you are to these things?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then feed my lambs." Jesus again said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, are you really devoted to me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then be a shepherd to my sheep." For the third time Jesus asked him, "Simon, son of John, do you really tenderly love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus the third time asked him, "Do you really tenderly love me?" So he answered Him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I do tenderly love you." Jesus said to him, "Then feed my sheep. I most solemnly say to you, when you were young, you used to put on your own belt and go where you pleased, but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will put a belt on you and you will go where you do not please to go." He said this to point out the sort of death by which Peter was to glorify God. So after He had said this, He said to Peter, "Keep on following me!" Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus specially loved, who at the supper leaned back upon Jesus' breast and asked, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" So when Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "But, Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered him, "If I wish him to wait until I come, what is that to you? You must keep on following me." So the report got out among the brothers that this disciple was not going to die. But Jesus did not tell him that he was not going to die; He said only, "If I wish him to wait until I come, what is that to you?"
After He had suffered, He had shown Himself alive to them, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them through a period of forty days, and telling them the things about the kingdom of God. And once while He was eating with them, He charged them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. "You have heard me speak of it," He said, read more. "for John baptized people in water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit." So those who were present began to ask Him, "Lord, is this the time when you are going to set up the kingdom again for Israel?" He answered them, "It is not your business to learn times and dates which the Father has a right to fix, but you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you must be witnesses for me in Jerusalem and all over Judea and Samaria, and to the very ends of the earth." After saying this, He was taken up while they were looking at Him, and a cloud swept under Him and carried Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing after Him into heaven, two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them,
but God raised Him up by loosing Him from the pangs of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held by the power of death.
but God raised Him up by loosing Him from the pangs of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held by the power of death. For David says of Him: 'I always kept my eyes upon the Lord, for He is at my right hand, so that I may not be removed. read more. So my heart is glad and my tongue exults, and my body still lives in hope. For you will not forsake my soul to Hades. Nor will you let your Holy One experience decay. You have made known to me the ways of life, and you will fill me with delight in your presence.'
and you killed the Prince of life, but God raised Him from the dead, to which fact we are witnesses.
As he traveled on he finally approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He dropped to the ground; then he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" read more. He asked, "Who are you, sir?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and go into the city, and there it will be told you what you ought to do." His fellow-travelers stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could not see anyone. Then Saul got up off the ground, but he could not see anything, although his eyes were wide open. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus, and for three days he could not see, and he did not eat or drink anything.
So Ananias left and went to that house, and there he laid his hands upon Saul, and said, "Saul, my. brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road on which you were coming here, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
who was given up to death because of our shortcomings and was raised again to give us right standing with God.
If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead has His home within you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give your mortal bodies life through His Spirit that has His home within you.
If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead has His home within you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give your mortal bodies life through His Spirit that has His home within you.
and that He was seen by Cephas, and then by the Twelve. After that, at one time He was seen by more than five hundred brothers, most of whom are still living, though some of them have fallen asleep. read more. Then He was seen by James, then by all the apostles, and finally
and if Christ was not raised, the message which we preach has nothing in it; there is nothing in our faith either,
when He raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in heaven,
He will so change the outward appearance of our lowly bodies that they will be like His glorious body, by the exertion of the power He has to subject everything to Himself.
for you were buried with Him in baptism and raised to life with Him through your faith in the power of God who raised Him from the dead.
May God, who gives us peace, who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, who through the blood by which He ratified the everlasting covenant, is now the Great Shepherd of the sheep,
For Christ Himself, once for all, died for our sins, the Innocent for the guilty to bring us to God, being put to death in physical form 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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After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to get a look at the tomb.
When the Sabbath had ended, Mary of Magdala, Mary, James's mother, and Salome bought spices to go and anoint Him.
It was the Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was just beginning. So the women, who had come with Jesus from Galilee, followed closely after Joseph and saw the tomb and how His body was laid there. read more. Then they went back home, and prepared spices and perfumes.
you and all the people of Israel must know that it is by the authority of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead -- yes, I repeat it, it is by His authority that this man stands here before you well.