Resurrection
Resurrection is the raising of the dead to new life.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The resurrection is a central theme in the New Testament, referring to the raising of the dead to life. Jesus Christ is presented as having risen from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20), and his own resurrection is a key event witnessed by the apostles (Acts 1:22, Acts 4:33). The concept includes a future general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked (Daniel 12:2, John 5:29), with some rising to everlasting life and others to shame (Daniel 12:2). The Sadducees, a Jewish sect, denied the resurrection (Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27, Acts 23:6), while Jesus affirmed it, teaching that in the resurrection people will be like angels and not marry (Matthew 22:30, Luke 20:35-36).
Lore & Background
The resurrection is portrayed as both a past event—Christ's rising from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20)—and a future event for all people. Jesus declared himself 'the resurrection, and the life' (John 11:25), and he demonstrated his power by raising Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43). The apostles preached 'Jesus, and the resurrection' (Acts 17:18), which provoked both belief and mockery (Acts 17:32). The resurrection of Christ is linked to the hope of Israel (Acts 23:6) and is a central testimony of the early church (Acts 4:2, Acts 4:33).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray the resurrection as a divine act that reverses death. In the Old Testament, Ezekiel 37:12 uses the imagery of God opening graves and bringing people up, which is echoed in the New Testament when saints came out of their graves after Christ's resurrection (Matthew 27:53). Jesus taught that the resurrection is a state where people neither marry nor die, being equal to angels and children of God (Luke 20:35-36). The resurrection is also a judgment: some rise to everlasting life, others to shame (Daniel 12:2, John 5:29). Martha expressed the common Jewish belief in a resurrection 'at the last day' (John 11:24), and Jesus affirmed that believers who die will live (John 11:25). The Sadducees' denial of the resurrection (Matthew 22:23, Mark 12:18, Luke 20:27) is contrasted with the Pharisees' hope (Acts 23:6). The apostles' witness to Christ's resurrection (Acts 1:22, Acts 4:33) was a core message that stirred opposition (Acts 17:18, Acts 17:32).
Did You Know?
- The Sadducees, who denied the resurrection, questioned Jesus about a woman married to seven brothers (Matthew 22:23-28, Mark 12:18-23, Luke 20:27-33).
- Jesus said that in the resurrection people 'neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven' (Matthew 22:30, Luke 20:35).
- After Jesus' resurrection, many saints came out of their graves and appeared in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:53).
- The apostle Paul was called into question for his belief in 'the hope and resurrection of the dead' (Acts 23:6).