Reference: Resurrection Of Christ
Easton
one of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1Co 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps 16 (Ac 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Lu 18:33; Joh 2:19-22).
The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, also, in their public teaching largely insist upon it. Ten different appearances of our risen Lord are recorded in the New Testament. They may be arranged as follows:
(1.) To Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre alone. This is recorded at length only by John (Joh 20:11-18), and alluded to by Mark (Mr 16:9-11).
(2.) To certain women, "the other Mary," Salome, Joanna, and others, as they returned from the sepulchre. Matthew (Mt 28:1-10) alone gives an account of this. (Comp. Mr 16:1-8; Lu 24:1-11.)
(3.) To Simon Peter alone on the day of the resurrection. (See Lu 24:34; 1Co 15:5.)
(4.) To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus on the day of the resurrection, recorded fully only by Luke (Lu 24:13-35. Comp. Mr 16:12-13).
(5.) To the ten disciples (Thomas being absent) and others "with them," at Jerusalem on the evening of the resurrection day. One of the evangelists gives an account of this appearance, John (Joh 20:19-24).
(6.) To the disciples again (Thomas being present) at Jerusalem (Mr 16:14-18; Lu 24:33-40; Joh 20:26-28. See also 1Co 15:5).
(7.) To the disciples when fishing at the Sea of Galilee. Of this appearance also John (Joh 21:1-23) alone gives an account.
(8.) To the eleven, and above 500 brethren at once, at an appointed place in Galilee (1Co 15:6; comp. Mt 28:16-20).
(9.) To James, but under what circumstances we are not informed (1Co 15:7).
(10.) To the apostles immediately before the ascension. They accompanied him from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet, and there they saw him ascend "till a cloud received him out of their sight" (Mr 16:19; Lu 24:50-52; Ac 1:4-10).
It is worthy of note that it is distinctly related that on most of these occasions our Lord afforded his disciples the amplest opportunity of testing the fact of his resurrection. He conversed with them face to face. They touched him (Mt 28:9; Lu 24:39; Joh 20:27), and he ate bread with them (Lu 24:42-43; Joh 21:12-13).
(11.) In addition to the above, mention might be made of Christ's manifestation of himself to Paul at Damascus, who speaks of it as an appearance of the risen Saviour (Ac 9:3-9,17; 1Co 15:8; 9:1).
It is implied in the words of Luke (Ac 1:3) that there may have been other appearances of which we have no record.
The resurrection is spoken of as the act (1) of God the Father (Ps 16:10; Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12; Heb 13:20); (2) of Christ himself (Joh 2:19; 10:18); and (3) of the Holy Spirit (1Pe 3:18).
The resurrection is a public testimony of Christ's release from his undertaking as surety, and an evidence of the Father's acceptance of his work of redemption. It is a victory over death and the grave for all his followers.
The importance of Christ's resurrection will be seen when we consider that if he rose the gospel is true, and if he rose not it is false. His resurrection from the dead makes it manifest that his sacrifice was accepted. Our justification was secured by his obedience to the death, and therefore he was raised from the dead (Ro 4:25). His resurrection is a proof that he made a full atonement for our sins, that his sacrifice was accepted as a satisfaction to divine justice, and his blood a ransom for sinners. It is also a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all believers (Ro 8:11; 1Co 6:14; 15:47-49; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2). As he lives, they shall live also.
It proved him to be the Son of God, inasmuch as it authenticated all his claims (Joh 2:19; 10:17). "If Christ did not rise, the whole scheme of redemption is a failure, and all the predictions and anticipations of its glorious results for time and for eternity, for men and for angels of every rank and order, are proved to be chimeras. 'But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.' Therefore the Bible is true from Genesis to Revelation. The kingdom of darkness has been overthrown, Satan has fallen as lightning from heaven, and the triumph of truth over error, of good over evil, of happiness over misery is for ever secured." Hodge.
With reference to the report which the Roman soldiers were bribed (Mt 28:12-14) to circulate concerning Christ's resurrection, "his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept," Matthew Henry in his "Commentary," under John 20:1-10, fittingly remarks, "The grave-clothes in which Christ had been buried were found in very good order, which serves for an evidence that his body was not 'stolen away while men slept.' Robbers of tombs have been known to take away 'the clothes' and leave the body; but none ever took away 'the body' and left the clothes, especially when they were 'fine linen' and new (Mr 15:46). Any one would rather choose to carry a dead body in its clothes than naked. Or if they that were supposed to have stolen it would have left the grave-clothes behind, yet it cannot be supposed they would find leisure to 'fold up the linen.'"
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and deliver Him up to the gentiles, to insult, and to scourge, and to crucify Him. But on the third day He shall rise again.
Now after the sabbath, in the dawning towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to look at the sepulchre: and behold, there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, had come and rolled away the stone from the door, and was sitting upon it: read more. (and his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men:) and the angel said to the women, Be not ye afraid: for I know that 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 his disciples that He is risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee; there ye shall see Him; lo, I have told you. And they went immediately from the sepulchre, with fear, and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them and said, God save you. And they drew near and embraced his feet, and worshipped Him.
And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them and said, God save you. And they drew near and embraced his feet, and worshipped Him. Then saith Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my brethren to repair into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
and they assembled with the elders, and taking counsel together gave the soldiers a large sum of money, saying, Do you say, that his disciples came by night, and stole Him away, while we were asleep. read more. And if this should come to a hearing before the governor, we will satisfy him, and indemnify you.
And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. read more. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, and 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. Amen.
And as they came down from the mountain, He charged them to tell no one what they had seen, till after the Son of man were risen from the dead.
And he bought fine linen, and 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 past Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices in order to come and embalm Him: and very early in the morning of the first day of the week they come to the sepulchre at sun-rising. read more. And they said to one another, Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the sepulchre? (but when they looked up, they saw that 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 robe; and they were affrighted: but he said to them, Be not affrighted, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, He is risen, He is not here, see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell his disciples, and Peter particularly, that He is going before you into Galilee: there ye will see Him, as He told you. And they hasted out and fled from the sepulchre; for they were seized with trembling and amazement: neither said they any thing to any one; for they were afraid. Now Jesus being risen early on the first day of the week appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven devils: and she went and told those that used to be with Him, who were mourning and weeping; but they, though they heard that He was indeed alive, and had been seen by her, did not believe it. After this He appeared in another form to two of them as they were walking, going into the country: and they went and told the rest; but they did not believe them neither. At last he appeared to the eleven as they were sitting at table, and upbraided them with their unbelief, and hardness of heart; because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He was risen. And He said unto them, Go to all the world and preach the gospel to every one: he that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall accompany them that believe; in my name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents, and if they should drink any thing poisonous, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well. Now the Lord, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
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 some others with them:) and found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre: so they went in, read more. but found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And while they were in perplexity about it, behold, two men stood by them in shining robes. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the ground, the men said unto them, Why do ye seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen: remember how He spake to you, when He was yet in Galilee, saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of wicked 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 to the eleven apostles, and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, that told these things to the apostles: and their words appeared to them as an idle tale, and they did not believe them.
And behold two of them were going that day to a village about threescore furlongs from Jerusalem, called Emmaus. And they were conversing together about all these things which had happened. read more. And while they were discoursing and reasoning together, Jesus himself drew near and went along with them. But their eyes were so restrained that they did not know Him. And He said unto them, What subjects are these, which ye are discoursing of to one another as ye walk, and why are ye sorrowful? And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered and said to Him, Art thou only a sojourner at Jerusalem, and hast not heard of the things which have been done there within these few days? And He said unto them, What things? And they replied, Those concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful both in work and word before God and all the people: how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we hoped that it was He that would have delivered Israel: and besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done. And indeed some women of our company much surprised us: who having been early at the sepulchre, and not finding his body there, came and said likewise that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive. And some of those that were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it so as the women had said: but Him they did not see. And He said unto them, O people void of understanding and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was not the Messiah to suffer these things, and so to enter into his glory? And beginning from Moses, and all the prophets, He explained to them in all the scriptures the things that were spoken concerning Himself. And they drew nigh to the village whither they were going: and He made as if He was going farther. And they pressed Him, saying, Stay with us, for it is towards evening, and the day is far spent. And He went in to tarry with them. And as He sat at table with them, He took bread and blessed it, and then brake it and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him. And He disappeared from them. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, as He was talking with us by the way, and while He was opening to us the scriptures? And they rose up immediately and returned to Jerusalem; and sound the eleven and others with them assembled together, saying,
And they rose up immediately and returned to Jerusalem; and sound the eleven and others with them assembled together, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath been seen by Simon.
The Lord is risen indeed, and hath been seen by Simon.
The Lord is risen indeed, and hath been seen by Simon. Then these also related what had happened by the way, and how He became known to them in breaking of bread.
Then these also related what had happened by the way, and how He became known to them in breaking of bread. And as they were thus speaking, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be to you. read more. But they being terrified and frighted, thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, Why are ye troubled? and why do such thoughts rise 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 ye 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 ye see me have. And when He said this, He shewed them his hands and feet.
And they gave Him part of a broiled fish and some honey-comb: and He took, and did eat before them.
And He led them out as far as to Bethany: and lifted up his hands and blessed them. And while He was blessing them, He was parted 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 raise it up again: then said the Jews,
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again: then said the Jews,
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again: then said the Jews, Forty and six years has this temple been in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? but He spake of the temple of his body. read more. Therefore when he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered, that He had said this to them: and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
For this doth the Father love me; because I lay down my life: that I may take it again. None 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. This commandment I have received from my Father.
But Mary stood without near the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept she stooped down to look into the sepulchre; and there seeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. read more. And they said to her, Woman, why dost thou weep? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And having said this, she turned back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Then said Jesus to her, Woman, why dost thou weep? whom dost thou seek? She thinking that it was the gardener, saith to Him, Sir, if thou hast carried Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary: and she turned herself and said unto Him, Rabboni, that is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not now; for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go directly to my brethren, and tell them, "I am to ascend to my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." So Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that He had said these things to her. Now the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, and the doors where the disciples were being shut, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be to you. And when He had said this, He shewed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you. And when He said this, He breathed upon them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the holy Spirit: and whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; but whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them: and Jesus came (the doors being shut as before) and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be to you. Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not incredulous, but believing.
Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands, and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not incredulous, but believing. And Thomas answered, and said, "My Lord and my God."
After these things Jesus shewed Himself again to the disciples near the sea of Tiberias; and He shewed Himself thus. Simon Peter and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together: read more. and Simon Peter saith unto them, I will go a fishing, and they say to him, We will also go with thee. So they went out, and forthwith entered into a ship: and that night they caught nothing. But when it was morning, Jesus stood on the shore: though the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Young men, have ye any thing to eat? They answered Him, No. And He said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye will find some. So they cast it, and they were not able to draw it up by reason of the multitude of fishes. Whereupon that disciple whom Jesus loved, saith to Peter, "It is the Lord." Then Simon Peter perceiving that it was the Lord, girded on his coat, (for he was stript,) and threw himself into the sea; and the other disciples came in the boat dragging the net of fishes; for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits. And as soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire laid, and fish upon it, and bread. And Jesus saith unto them, Bring some of the fish, which ye have now caught. Then Simon Peter went aboard, and drew the net to land, full of large fishes, an hundred fifty-three: and though there were so many, the net was not broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come, and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus saith unto them, Come, and dine. And none of the disciples presumed to ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus therefore cometh and taketh bread, and giveth it to them, and fish likewise.
Jesus therefore cometh and taketh bread, and giveth it to them, and fish likewise. This was the third time that Jesus shewed Himself to a number of his disciples, after He was risen from the dead. read more. Now when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me more than these? He saith unto Him, Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me? He saith unto Him, Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon son of Jonas, dost thou love me? Peter was grieved, that He said to him the third time, Dost thou love me? And he said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say unto thee, When thou wast younger, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst about where thou wouldest: but when thou art old, thou shalt stretch out thine hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee where thou wouldest not. This He said, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when He had said this, He saith unto him, Follow me. And Peter turning about seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, (and who leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, who is he that will betray Thee?) following them; and upon seeing him, Peter saith to Jesus, Lord, what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he stay till I come, what is it to thee? Follow thou me. This rumor therefore was spread among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: though Jesus did not say that he should not die, but--- if I will that he stay till I come, what is that to thee?
to whom also He presented Himself alive, after He had suffered, by many certain proofs; being seen among them for forty days, and speaking of the things relating to the kingdom of God. And meeting them together He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said He, ye have heard from me; read more. for John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall within a few days be baptized with the holy Spirit. Being therefore come together they asked Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or seasons, which the Father hath reserved in his own power. But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth. And having said these things, as they were looking upon Him, He was lifted up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were looking stedfastly toward heaven, as He went up, behold two men in white stood by them;
Whom God hath raised up again, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
Whom God hath raised up again, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David saith concerning Him, "I set the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand, that I should not be moved: therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; read more. and my flesh shall rest in hope, that Thou wilt not leave my soul in the invisible state, nor suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; and Thou wilt fill me with joy by the light of thy countenance."
and put to death the prince of life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; and he fell to the ground, and 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 the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: 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 unto him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee, what thou must do. And the men that went along with him, stood astonished, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. And Saul rose from the earth, but when he opened his eyes he could not see: so they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
And Ananias went away and came into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Spirit."
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, dwelleth in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead, will also restore your mortal bodies to life, by his Spirit that now dwelleth in you.
And if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwelleth in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead, will also restore your mortal bodies to life, by his Spirit that now dwelleth in you.
And that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve: after that He appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain yet alive, but some are fallen asleep. read more. Afterwards He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
which He exerted in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in heavenly places,
that it may be made like his glorious body, according to the energy of his ability to subdue all things to Himself.
being buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised together with Him, through faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant,
As Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust (that He might introduce us to God) being indeed put to death in the flesh, but raised to life by 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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Now after the sabbath, in the dawning towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to look at the sepulchre:
And when the sabbath was past Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices in order to come and embalm Him:
Now that day was the preparation, and the sabbath was coming on: wherefore the women, that came with Him from Galilee, followed Joseph, and saw the sepulchre, and how the body was laid: read more. but returned and prepared spices and perfumes; and then rested on the sabbath-day, according to the commandment.
by what means he is cured, 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, but whom God hath raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.