Jewish Belief in Physical Resurrection Before Jesus
The concept of physical resurrection was a significant aspect of Jewish belief before the time of Jesus. The doctrine is rooted in various Old Testament passages, including Job 19:26, Psalm 16:10, and Daniel 12:2 [1]. These scriptures formed the basis of the Jewish expectation of a future bodily resurrection.
The Jewish sects of the time held different views on the resurrection. The Sadducees denied the doctrine, while the Pharisees and Essenes accepted it [2]. The Pharisees, in particular, believed in a future life where the righteous would be raised from the dead. This belief was not limited to a spiritual or metaphor
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 76: of the righteous. That the Jews when Christ came, universally, with the exception of the sect of the Sadducees, believed in a future life, is beyond dispute. The Jews at this period were divided into three sects: the Sadducees, who were materialistic skeptics, believing neither in the resurrection, nor in angels, nor in spirits; the Essenes, who were a philosophical and ascetic sect, believing that the souls of the just being freed at death from the prison of the body, rejoice and are borne aloft where a happy life forever is decreed to t”