Matthew 27:52 - Resurrection of Saints During Jesus' Crucifixion
Matthew 27:52 states, "The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised" [1]. This verse describes a miraculous event occurring at the time of Jesus' crucifixion, immediately following his death and the accompanying earthquake [1, 6].
The broader context of Matthew 27 details the crucifixion of Jesus, including the darkness that fell over the land, the tearing of the temple veil, and the earthquake [1]. The centurion and those with him, witnessing these events, declared, "Truly this was the Son of God!" [1, 3]. The resurrection of the saints is presented as another sign accompanying Christ's death, emphasizing its profound cosmic significance.
A key interpretive decision in Matthew 27:52 concerns the timing of the saints' appearance. The verse states that "the tombs were opened," and "many bodies of the saints which slept arose" [1]. However, it continues in verse 53, "and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many" [1]. This phrasing leads to two main interpretations. One view, held by some, suggests that the saints were quickened into resurrection life at the moment of Christ's death but remained in their graves until his resurrection, at which point they came forth [6]. This aligns with the understanding that Christ is the "first fruits" of the resurrection [9, 4]. John Gill, for example, emphasizes that Christ rose as the "first begotten of the dead" and the "firstborn from the dead," implying that these saints came out of their graves after Christ's resurrection [9].
Another interpretation suggests that only the graves were opened at Christ's death, perhaps by the earthquake, as a preparation for their subsequent resurrection [6]. This view maintains that the actual resurrection and appearance of these saints occurred after Jesus himself had risen [6]. The purpose of this event is often understood as a demonstration of Christ's victory over death and a foretaste of the general resurrection [5, 7]. Augustine connected Christ's resurrection to the resurrection of believers, stating, "where the Head, there also the members" [5]. Aquinas similarly argued that Christ's resurrection is the cause of the resurrection of believers [7].
These resurrected saints are generally understood to be Old Testament believers [6]. Their appearance in Jerusalem served as a powerful testimony to Christ's resurrection and the promise of future resurrection for all believers [8]. The nature of the resurrection body is described elsewhere as spiritual and adapted for a glorified state, yet retaining identity [2]. This event in Matthew is unique in the Gospels and underscores the transformative power of Christ's death and resurrection.
Sources
- Matthew “The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; -- Matthew 27:52”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of the dead — Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Rom. 2:6-16; 2 Thess. 1:6-10). The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave (1 Cor. 15:53, 54; Phil. 3:21); but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body (1 Cor. 15:42-44) which rises again. As to the nature of the resurrection body, (1) it will be spiritual (1 Cor. 15:44), i.e., a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the hea”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Matthew 27:54 cross-references: 2 Kings 1:13, Matthew 4:3, Matthew 8:5, Matthew 26:63, Matthew 27:36, Matthew 27:40, Matthew 27:43, Mark 15:39, Luke 22:70, Luke 23:47, John 19:7, Acts 2:37, Acts 10:1, Acts 16:29, Acts 21:32, Acts 23:17, Acts 23:23, Acts 27:1, Acts 27:43, Romans 1:4, Revelation 11:13”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:4: 15:4 just as the Scriptures said: See Ps 16:10; Hos 6:2; Jon 1:17; Matt 12:40; Acts 2:24-32.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — [DE SYMBOLO AD CATECHUMENOS.] (part 15): is risen, ascended into heaven: where the Head, there also the members. In what way the resurrection of the flesh? Lest any should chance to think it like as Lazarus's resurrection, that thou mayo est know it to be not so, it is added, "Into life everlasting." God regenerate you ! God preserve and keep you! God bring you safe unto Himself, Who is the Life Everlasting. Amen.”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 27:52: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose--These sleeping saints (see on Th1 4:14) were Old Testament believers, who--according to the usual punctuation in our version--were quickened into resurrection life at the moment of their Lord's death, but lay in their graves till His resurrection, when they came forth. But it is far more natural, as we think, and consonant with other Scriptures, to understand that only the graves were opened, probably by the earthquake, at our Lord's death, and this only in preparation for t”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Causality of Christ's Resurrection, Art. 1: Article: Whether Christ's Resurrection is the cause of the resurrection of our bodies? I answer that, As stated in 2 Metaphysics, text 4: "Whatever is first in any order, is the cause of all that come after it." But Christ's Resurrection was the first in the order of our resurrection, as is evident from what was said above (Question [53], Article [3]). Hence Christ's Resurrection must be the cause of ours: and this is what the Apostle says (1 Cor. 15:20,21): "Christ is risen from the dead, t”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 20 (introduction): This evangelist, though he began not his gospel as the rest did, yet concludes it as they did, with the history of Christ' resurrection; not of the thing itself, for none of them describe how he rose, but of the proofs and evidences of it, which demonstrated that he was risen. The proofs of Christ's resurrection, which we have in this chapter, are I. Such as occurred immediately at the sepulchre. 1. The sepulchre found empty, and the graveclothes in good order (Joh 20:1-10). 2. Two angels appearing to Mary Magdalene at the sepulchre (Joh 20:11-13). 3. C”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 27:52: And came out of the graves after his resurrection,.... The resurrection of Christ; for he rose as the first fruits, as the first begotten of the dead, and the firstborn from the dead; for he was the first that was raised to an immortal life; for though others were raised before him, by himself, and in the times of the prophets, yet to a mortal life; but these saints came forth to the resurrection of life, and therefore it was necessary that Christ the first fruits, should rise first. The Arabic version indeed reads, "after their own resurrection"; and the Ethiopic v”