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 will deliver him to the Gentiles to deride, and to scourge, and to crucify: and on the third day he shall rise again.
And after the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher. And behold, there had been a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord having descended from heaven, came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat upon it. read more. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment was white as snow. From fear of him the keepers did shake and become like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women: Fear not; for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples, that he has risen from the dead: and behold, he goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see him. Lo, I have told you. And they went out quickly from the sepulcher, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: Hail! And they came and laid hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
And as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying: Hail! And they came and laid hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them: Fear not; go, tell my brethren to go into Galilee, and there they shall see me.
And when they came together with the elders, they held a consultation, and gave much money to the soldiers, saying: Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away, while we were asleep. read more. And if this shall be heard in the presence of the governor, we will persuade him, and make you secure.
And the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into the mountain, where Jesus had appointed to meet them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. read more. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying: All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations, immersing them (the disciples) into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you: and lo; I am with you all the days, even to the end of the age.
And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, till the Son of man should rise from the dead.
And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulcher that had been hewed out of a rock: and he rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher.
And when the sabbath had passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early, on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they came to the sepulcher. read more. And they said among themselves: Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the sepulcher? for it was very great. And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. And they entered the sepulcher, and saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe: and they were frightened. But he said to them: Be not frightened; you seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here: see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples, and Peter, that he goes before you into Galilee; there you shall see him, as he told you. And they went out, and fled from the sepulcher; for trembling and astonishment seized upon them. And they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. Now when Jesus had risen early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven demons. And she went and told it to those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And though they heard that he was alive, and had been seen by her, they did not believe. After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they walked and went into the country. And they went and told it to the rest. But they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven as they reclined at table; and he reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen. And he said to them: Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is immersed, shall be saved; he that believes not, shall be condemned. And these signs shall attend those who 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 thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. The Lord, therefore, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven: and he sat down at the right hand of God.
and they shall scourge him, and put him to death, and on the third day he shall rise again.
And on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared; and with them came certain others. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher; read more. and they entered in, but found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were much perplexed at this, behold, two men stood by them in shining raiment. And while they feared and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them: Why seek you among the dead for him that lives? He is not here, but he has risen; remember that he spoke to you while he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things to the eleven and to the rest. It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James, and the others with them, that 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, on the same day, to a village called Emmaus, distant from Jerusalem sixty furlongs. And they were talking to one another about all these things which had taken place. read more. And it came to pass, that, while they conversed and reasoned together, Jesus himself drew near, and went on with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not recognize him. And he said to them: What matters are these which you are discussing with one another as you walk and are sad? And one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered and said to him: Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things that have taken place there in these days? And he said to them: What things? They said to him: The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and in word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we trusted that it was he that was about to redeem Israel. And besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done. And further, certain women of our company, who were early at the sepulcher, astonished us: for they found not his body, and came and told that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And some of those who were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even as the women had said, but him they saw not. And he said to them: inconsiderate, and slow of heart to believe all things that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning from Moses, and all the prophets, he explained to them, in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself. And they drew near the village to which they were going; and he made as if he would go further. And they constrained him, saying: Remain with us, for it is near the evening, and the day has declined. And he went in to remain with them. And it came to pass, while he reclined at table with them, that he took bread and blessed; and he broke, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from them. And they said one to an other, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they arose the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven, and those who were with them, assembled,
And they arose the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven, and those who were with them, assembled, and saying: The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
and saying: The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.
and saying: The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon. And they told what had taken place on the way, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
And they told what had taken place on the way, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread. And while they were speaking of these things, Jesus him self stood in the midst of them, and said to them: Peace be to you. read more. But they were terrified and frightened, and thought that they saw a spirit. And he said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have.
See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have. And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.
And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of a honey comb. And he took it, and did eat before them.
And he led them out as far as Bethany; and he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, that as he blessed them, he was separated 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 the Jews said to him: Forty and six years was this temple in building, and will you rebuild 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 had said this. And they believed the scripture, and the word that Jesus had spoken.
For this reason, 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 authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it again. This commandment I have received from my Father.
But Mary stood without near the tomb, weeping; and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, and saw two angels in white raiment, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the foot, where the body of Jesus had lain. read more. And they said to her: Woman, why do you weep? She said to them: They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. Having said this, she turned back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her: "Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek? Supposing that it was the gardener, she said to him: Sir, if you have taken him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her: Mary. She turned, and said to him: Rabboni; which is, translated, Teacher. Jesus said to her: Touch me not, for I have 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 Magdalen came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. Then, on that day, the first day of the week, when it was evening, and the doors of the house in which the disciples were assembled had been closed 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 his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced, when they saw the Lord. Then Jesus said to them again: Peace be to you. As my Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them: Receive the Holy Spirit. Whosever sins you forgive, they are forgiven them: whosever sins you retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
And after eight days, again his disciples were within, and Thomas was with them. Then Jesus came, though the doors had been closed, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you. Then he said to Thomas: Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.
Then he said to Thomas: Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said to him: My Lord and my God.
After this, Jesus showed himself again to his disciples, at the sea of Tiberias. And he showed himself in this way. There were together, Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathaniel of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. read more. Simon Peter said to them: I am going a fishing. They said to him: We also are going with you. They went out and entered the ship; and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them: Children, have you any food? They answered him: No. He said to them: Throw the net on the right side of the ship, and you will find. They threw it, there fore, and were no longer able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter: It is the Lord. And when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded on his outer coat, for he had on his inner garment only, and threw himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship, dragging the net with fishes, for they were not far from the land, only about two hundred cubits. As soon as they had come to the land, they saw there a fire of coals, and fish lying upon it, and bread. Jesus said to them; Bring of the fish that you have just taken. Simon Peter went and drew the net to the land, full of large fishes, a hundred and fifty-three. And though they were so many, the net did not break. Jesus said to them: Come and breakfast. But no one of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? because they knew it was the Lord.
Jesus said to them: Come and breakfast. But no one of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? because they knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.
Then Jesus came and took the bread, and gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This was now the third occasion on which Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. read more. When, therefore, they had taken breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter: Simon, son of Jonah, Do you love me more than these? He said to him: Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my lambs. He said to him again a second time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? He said to him: Yes, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Be a shepherd to my sheep. He said to him a third time: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus said to him: Feed my sheep. Verily, verily I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself, and walked whither you chose; but when you have become old, you shall stretch forth your hands, and another shall gird you, and lead you whither you would not. But this he said, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he said to him: Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, saw the disciple that Jesus loved, following, who also reclined at supper upon his breast, and said: Lord, who is he that delivers thee up? Peter seeing this one, said to Jesus: Lord, what shall this one do? Jesus said to him: If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? Do you follow me. Therefore, this saying went out among the brethren, that that disciple should not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?
To whom, after he had suffered, he also showed himself alive, by many indubitable proofs; appearing to them for forty days, and speaking of the things that pertain to the kingdom of God. And calling them together, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of my Father, which, said he, you have heard from me; read more. for John indeed immersed in water, but you shall be immersed in the Holy Spirit, not many days hence. Therefore, when they came together, they asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? But he said to them: It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has reserved under his own control. But you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses for me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they were looking on him, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they were looking earnestly to ward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white raiment,
whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in subjection by it.
whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in subjection by it. For David speaks with reference to him: I saw the Lord always in my presence: for he is at my right hand, that I should not be moved. read more. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue sang praise. Moreover, my flesh shall rest in hope; because thou wilt not leave my soul in hades, nor suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. Thou didst make known to me the ways of life; thou wilt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
and you slew the Author of life, whom God has raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven. And when he had fallen to the earth, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? read more. He answered: "Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said: I am Jesus, whom you persecute. But rise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. The men who journeyed with him stood amazed; for they heard a voice, but saw no one. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one; 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 the house, and laying his hands on him, said: Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
who was delivered up for our offenses, and raised again for our justification.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised the Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwells in you.
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised the Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies, because of his Spirit that dwells in you.
and that he was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve; after that, he was seen by more than five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain till this day; but some have fallen asleep. read more. After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
And if Christ has not been raised, then vain is our preaching, and vain also your faith.
which he made active in the Christ when he raised him from the dead, and caused him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,
who will transform our humbled body, and make it like his glorious body, according to that power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself.
when you were buried with him in immersion, in which you were also raised with him by your faith in the energy of God, who raised him from the dead.
Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant,
For Christ also once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, having been put to death in flesh, but made alive in 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, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the sepulcher.
And when the sabbath had passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And the day was the preparation, and the sabbath was beginning. And the women that had come with him from Galilee followed after and saw the sepulcher, and how his body was laid. read more. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointment; and they rested on the sabbath, according to the commandment.
be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him does this man stand before you in health.