The Resurrection of Jesus Christ in Scripture
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith, central to the New Testament's message [1, 10]. It is presented as an historical fact upon which the entire gospel rests [1].
The Old Testament contains prophecies that are understood to foretell the resurrection, such as passages in Job 19:26, Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 26:19, and Hosea 13:14 [2, 4, 7]. Jesus himself predicted his resurrection multiple times, as recorded in the Gospels (e.g., Matthew 20:19; Mark 9:9; John 2:19-22) [1, 4, 13]. The evangelists provide detailed accounts of the events surrounding his rising from the dead [1].
The Apostle Paul emphasizes the critical importance of Christ's resurrection, stating that if Christ has not been raised, then Christian faith is "vain" and preaching is useless (1 Corinthians 15:14) [1, 4]. one tradition argues that Christ's resurrection confirms the reality of a future resurrection for believers [8]. Without it, forgiveness of sins would not be secured, and believers would still be under condemnation (1 Corinthians 15:17) [4, 11]. The resurrection is also linked to justification (Romans 4:25; 8:34) and hope (1 Corinthians 15:19) [4].
The New Testament describes the resurrection as an act of God's power [4]. While sometimes attributed to Jesus's own power (John 2:19; 10:18), it is generally ascribed to God the Father (Acts 2:24; 3:15; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 2:12) [4, 14]. The resurrection serves as a proof of Jesus's divine sonship (Romans 1:4) [4].
The resurrection was "showed him openly" [14], meaning Jesus appeared in a glorious, yet physically recognizable, body that could be seen, heard, and handled, providing full proof of its truth [14]. After his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples before his ascension (Acts 1:3) [6]. The ascension, which occurred from Mount Olivet (Luke 24:50; Acts 1:12), marked his triumphant return to supreme power and dignity (Luke 24:26; Ephesians 1:20-21) [6].
Some early believers, particularly in Corinth, struggled with the concept of a bodily resurrection, preferring the Greek idea of the immortality of the soul [8]. Paul addressed these doubts by explaining the nature of the resurrection body, stating that it will be spiritual and adapted for a glorified state, yet still preserving the identity of the individual (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) [5, 9]. The resurrection of Jesus is God's pledge that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance (Acts 17:31) [3]. The "Good News" that Paul preached centered on the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) [10]. The resurrection was a "secret" revealed by the Good News, with Paul even anticipating the possibility of the resurrection occurring within his own lifetime (1 Corinthians 15:51) [12].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 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 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- 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:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ascension of Christ, The — Prophecies respecting -- Ps 24:7; 68:18; Eph 4:7,8. Foretold by himself -- Joh 6:62; 7:33; 14:28; 16:5; 20:17. Forty days after his resurrection -- Ac 1:3. Described -- Ac 1:9. From Mount Olivet -- Lu 24:50; Mr 11:1; Ac 1:12. While blessing his disciples -- Lu 24:50. When he had atoned for sin -- Heb 9:12; 10:12. Was triumphant -- Ps 68:18. Was to supreme power and dignity -- Lu 24:26; Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. As the forerunner of his people -- Heb 6:20. To intercede -- Ro 8:34; Heb 9:24. To send the Holy Spirit -- Joh 16:7; Ac 2:33. To recei”
- 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.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:12: 15:12-34 Paul now makes the case for a future resurrection. 15:12-20 Christ’s resurrection confirms the reality of the future resurrection. 15:12 Some believers in Corinth apparently had a difficult time accepting the Jewish notion of a bodily resurrection of the dead, preferring instead the Greek notion of the immortality of the soul (cp. Acts 17:18, 32).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:49: 15:49 Like the earthly man, Adam, we have physical bodies in this life. But we will someday be like Christ, the heavenly man, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies (cp. Rom 6:4-14).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:1: 15:1-58 Some people in the church had doubts about a future resurrection of the dead. Paul reassures them and, perhaps in response to their skeptical questions, discusses the nature of a resurrection body. 15:1-11 Paul summarizes the Good News that he preached. 15:1 At the heart of the Good News stands the message of the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (see 15:3-4; Rom 5:8-10; 6:5-11).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:17: vain--Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which "your faith" appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins (even in the disembodied state which is here referred to), from which Christ's resurrection is our justification (Rom 4:25): "saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:51: 15:51 The Good News reveals the previously unknown secret of resurrection. • We will not all die: Paul might have expected the future resurrection in his own lifetime (cp. 15:52; 1 Thes 4:15, 17).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:5: 24:5-7 Jesus had told his followers many times that he would rise from the dead (see 9:22, 44; 17:25; 18:31-34). Jesus’ resurrection is a key tenet of the Christian faith (see 1 Cor 15:3-7, 12-57).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 10:40: Him God raised up the third day,.... According to the Scriptures, particularly Hos 6:2. The resurrection, of Christ, though it is sometimes ascribed to himself, as God, whereby he was declared to be the Son of God, yet generally to God the Father, as here: and showed him openly; in a glorious body, and yet numerically the same he before lived and suffered in, so as to be heard, seen, and handled; by which full proof was given of the truth of his resurrection, in which he appeared to be the conqueror over death and the grave.”