Was Jesus Really Raised from the Dead?

During His life and ministry, Jesus claimed that He was:[1]

• “The Christ,” “Messiah,” and “Savior,”
• The “Son of God” and the “Son of Man,”
• “Sent” by God,
• “The bread of life … which came down out of heaven,”
• “The Light of the world,”
• The (our) future Judge (Joh 5:22–23),
• One with the Father (Joh 10:30),
• “In the beginning” with the Father (Joh 1:1–3; cf. Joh 8:58),
• Deserving of honor and worship equal with the Father (Joh 5:23; cf. Rev 4:11),
• Given authority to forgive sins, which is something only God can do (Mat 9:2–6; Mar 2:5–10; Luk 5:20; Joh 8:10–11; cf. Act 10:43; 13:38),
• Able to give “eternal life,”
• The only way to heaven (to the Father, Joh 10:1–9; 14:6; Act 4:12; 1Ti 2:5),
• “Lord,” “King,” and “High Priest” (Mat 22:44; Joh 1:49; 18:37; Luk 6:46; Act 2:34–35; 10:36; 17:24; Rom 10:12; 1Ti 1:17; 6:15; Heb 3:1; 4:14; 5:5; 6:20; 8:1; 9:11; Rev 17:14; 19:16; cf. Rom 14:11; Eph 1:20–21; Php 2:9–11; Heb 2:8; 10:19–23; Rev 20:11–15), and
• The Great “I am”—that is, God Himself (Joh 8:58; cf. Exo 3:14).

However, we have also read that Jesus died (was crucified) on the cross, so how could He be our Lord, God, King, Redeemer, Savior, and future Judge if He was (and is) a dead man? But, in fact, Jesus lives! After being dead for “three days” (see Mat 12:40; 26:61; 27:63; Mar 8:31; 10:34; cf. Act 10:40; 1Co 15:3–8), Jesus “rose again” to life (2Co 5:15; 1Th 4:14).[2]

During Jesus’ life and ministry on earth, His miracles and command over nature testified about Him—that He was God incarnate (God in the flesh), fully man but also fully God. But it was His resurrection that proved to the world beyond a shadow of a doubt that He was who He said He was: God. That is why Jesus is the “living and true God” (1Th 1:9). Without Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, none of His claims would mean anything, and there would be no Christianity, no hope, and no future of eternal life, as it is written, “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain” (1Co 15:12–20). When Jesus was crucified on the cross, Satan and his “spiritual forces of darkness and wickedness [evil]” (paraphrase; Eph 6:12) thought they had won victory; they thought they had defeated Him. If Jesus had remained dead, they would have been correct, as all of Jesus’ promises and claims would have been nullified and proven false. But it was Jesus who was victorious over them as He rose from the dead, and it was also Jesus’ resurrection that broke the power of Satan and death over us (Act 2:22–24; cf. Luk 10:18).[3]

HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION WERE FORETOLD

Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection had been foretold (prophesied) way back in Genesis 3, written thousands of years before His birth, where we are told that Satan would “bruise him [Jesus] on the heel” but that Jesus would “bruise you [Satan] on the head” (Gen 3:15), delivering “victory”[4] for us over sin, Satan, and death. Furthermore, during His life and ministry, Jesus repeatedly foretold (prophesied) both His death and also His resurrection (Mat 12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 22–23; 20:17–19; 26:32; 27:62–66; Mar 8:31–32; 9:31; 10:33–34; 14:58; Luk 9:22; 18:31–33; 24:5–8; Joh 2:19–21; 3:14–15; 10:17–18).

HIS RESURRECTION WAS WITNESSED BY MANY

Scripture is clear that Jesus rose in a literal bodily resurrection (Luk 24:36–43; Joh 20:26–29), not just as a “vision” (spiritual) or a “ghost.” Jesus interacted with and was seen by hundreds of people after His resurrection (1Co 15:3–8; Mar 16:9–11; Mat 28:9–10; Act 1:3–9; 10:40–41; Luk 24:13–35).

Matthew Henry writes on Acts 1:3:[5]

The great evidence of his resurrection was that he showed himself alive to his apostles; being alive, he showed himself so, and he was seen of them. They were honest men, and one may depend upon their testimony; but the question is whether they were not imposed upon, as many a well-meaning man is. No, they were not; for,

1. The proofs were infallible, tekmēria—plain indications, both that he was alive (he walked and talked with them, he ate and drank with them) and that it was he himself, and not another; for he showed them again and again the marks of the wounds in his hands, and feet, and side, which was the utmost proof the thing was capable of or required.
2. They were many, and often repeated: He was seen by them forty days, not constantly residing with them, but frequently appearing to them, and bringing them by degrees to be fully satisfied concerning it, so that all their sorrow for his departure was done away by it. Christ’s staying upon earth so long after he had entered upon his state of exaltation and glory, to confirm the faith of his disciples and comfort their hearts, was such an instance of condescension and compassion to believers as may fully assure us that we have a high priest that is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

THE SKEPTICS

Since Jesus’ resurrection is vital to the Christian faith (i.e., Christianity is pointless without it, 1Co 15:19), you will find skeptics abounding on all sides, with many liberals, atheists, agnostics, groups, and sects denying that Jesus was raised from the dead. They do this in an attempt to defeat and discredit Him and discourage others from following Him and declaring Him as their Lord and Savior. The most common claims made trying to deny Jesus’ literal bodily resurrection are the following:

• Science can’t prove it (a physical, bodily resurrection); therefore, it didn’t happen. Many claim it had to be a “spiritual” resurrection.
• The disciples came and stole His body so they could claim that He was resurrected and continue their popularity.
• Jesus’ enemies (the Pharisees, et al.) stole the body.
• Jesus was just a vision or a ghost (an apparition); He was not bodily raised from the dead.

Regarding the idea that science can’t prove His resurrection, this topic has already been addressed[6]: Science cannot explain many things about life and death, and furthermore, many of the works of God are spiritual as well as supernatural. He is God, and we are created beings (of immeasurably inferior and finite intellect). Yet because the science that our limited, finite, human minds have thought up can’t measure the things of God, man feels justified in denying that there is a God or that He can work supernaturally. In effect, the “clay pot” (man) is telling the “potter” who created it (God) what reality and truth are (see Rom 9:20–21; Isa 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; cf. Gen 2:7). Astounding!

Regarding the theory that the disciples stole His body: All of the disciples except one died horrible, gruesome deaths for preaching that Jesus was resurrected. This is hardly something that one (or all of them) would do if they were simply perpetuating a lie or hoax. One must also understand the customs of the times. After Jesus’ death, His body was buried in a tomb by Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb was closed in with a huge stone, and the seal of the Roman governor was affixed to it, declaring it off-limits. Anyone tampering with the tomb would be subject to the penalty of death. Even further, Roman guards were stationed outside to make sure no one stole the body. Now for the important part: If a prisoner (or a dead body, in this case) escaped or was allowed to be carried away, the guards in charge would be put to death. So you see, it was no light matter or a simple mistake that the guards would make in allowing Jesus’ body to be taken or stolen from the tomb by the disciples—it would mean the guards’ own deaths. Moreover, the guards would not succumb to a mere bribe from the disciples (or anyone else) to allow them to steal the body due to the severity of their punishment if they did so.

Regarding the theory that Jesus’ enemies stole His body (e.g., the Romans, the Jewish Pharisees, etc.): If they did, in fact, steal the body to quash the resurrection claims and discredit the Christian movement, why didn’t they produce the dead body later to do just that? That would have ended Christianity right then and there—but they didn’t, and couldn’t, produce the body. And the part I find most astonishing is this: Not only did the disciples die gruesome deaths for Christ, but further, Scripture tells us that even they were skeptical of Jesus’ resurrection—they didn’t believe it at first! In fact, no one expected that He would be raised from the dead, not even His own disciples (Mat 28:16–17; Mar 16:6–14; Luk 24:1–4, 11, 36–43; Joh 20:2, 9, 13–15, 24–28)! Matthew Henry writes on Luke 24:41:[7]

So far was it from truth that the disciples stole Jesus’ body to fake his resurrection, nay, they at first didn’t even believe his resurrection even when they saw him! … It was their infirmity that they believed not, that yet they believed not, eti apistountōn autōn—they as yet being unbelievers. This very much corroborates the truth of Christ’s resurrection that the disciples were so slow to believe it. Instead of stealing away his body, and saying, He is risen, when he is not, as the chief priests suggested they would do, they are ready to say again and again, He is not risen, when he is. Their being incredulous of it at first, and insisting upon the utmost proofs of it, show that when afterwards they did believe it, and venture their all upon it, it was not but upon the fullest demonstration of the thing that could be.

Regarding Jesus’ resurrection was just a vision: The disciples didn’t hallucinate seeing Him—they touched Him, interacted with Him, and also saw Him eat in their presence (Luk 24:37–43; Joh 20:19–29).

THE RESURRECTION IS VITAL

The resurrection of Christ is such a vital topic and central to your future hope in Christ and eternal life (for what hope is there in a dead man?) that I’ve included what Wayne Jackson has written on it so you can read what I’ve written above expressed and reinforced by a different author and brother in Christ:[8]

What Does the Bible Say About Christ’s Resurrection?

Unquestionably the Bible affirms the bodily resurrection of the Lord. Let us note three areas of information.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament by means of typology and prophecy announced the resurrection. When Abraham offered up “his only begotten son,” he believed that God was able to raise him from the dead, “whence he did also in a figure receive him back” (Heb. 11:17–19 [ASV]). This was typical of the resurrection of God’s only-begotten Son. Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of the great fish were typical of the Lord’s entombment for the same period prior to his resurrection (Jon. 1:17; Mt. 12:40). Also, David prophesied: For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; Neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption (Psa. 16:10 [ASV]). The inspired apostle Peter showed that this prophecy cannot refer to Israel’s great king personally, for his body did experience decay and his tomb was testimony to that fact. Rather, the prophet spoke of the resurrection of Christ (cf. Acts 2:29–31; Acts 13:33ff.).

Christ’s Predictions

On numerous occasions, Jesus foretold his coming resurrection from the dead. For instance, to the Jews Christ said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John adds, “he spake of the temple of his body” (Jn. 2:19–21 [ASV]). See his other predictions:

• Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 22–23; 20:18–19; 26:32; 27:63
• Mark 8:31–9:1; 9:10, 31; 14:28, 58; 10:32
• Luke 9:22–27
• John 10:17–18

Either Christ was raised from the dead, or else he was a false prophet!

Theme of the New Testament

The declaration of a risen Lord is the very heart and soul of apostolic preaching and writing. Everywhere the apostles went they shamelessly announced that the scandal of the cross was negated by the victory of the empty tomb. The careful New Testament student will want to study the following passages:

• Acts 1:3; 2:2ff.; 3:15; 4:10, 33; 5:30; 10:40–41; 13:19–37;
  17:23–31; 26:8;
• Romans 1:4; 4:25; 6:4–11; 7:4; 8:11, 23; 14:9;
• 1 Corinthians 15;
• 2 Corinthians 1:9–10; 4:14; 5:14–15;
• Ephesians 1:19–23;
• Philippians 3:10;
• Colossians 1:18; 2:12;
• 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:14; 5:10;
• 2 Timothy 1:10; 2:8;

The New Testament is saturated with confident declarations of Christ’s resurrection.

Where Is the Lord’s Body?

Since it is an unassailable fact that Jesus lived in first-century Palestine, and that he was crucified and buried (so asserts Christian, Jewish and pagan history), the intriguing question is this. What happened to the body of Jesus Christ? No honest historian can avoid this query. Actually, there are but four possible explanations for the absence of the Savior’s body:

1. It is still buried in some unknown Palestinian grave.
2. It was removed from the tomb by the Lord’s enemies.
3. It was removed from the tomb by the Lord’s friends.
4. It arose from the dead and is now in heaven.

Let us briefly consider each of these.

Still buried in Palestine?

It is simply not historically tenable that Christ’s body is still interred somewhere near the city of Jerusalem. Why? For this reason. When the apostles began to fill that city with the teaching of a risen Lord (Acts 5:28), the Jewish or Roman authorities could simply have produced the body and thus exploded the gospel “myth.” It will not do to suggest that the officials did not know where Jesus’ body had been buried, because they had assigned soldiers to guard it. Further, the tomb had been sealed (see Mt. 27:62–66), and records would have been available to document where the body of Christ had been lain.

Did Christ’s enemies steal his body?

It is equally absurd to argue that the enemies of Christianity stole the body of Jesus. On the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles proclaimed the resurrection of Christ. Those enemies could have abruptly dumped the corpse of the Lord in the midst of that crowd and the Christian Way would have died with but a whimper … right on the spot!

Did the apostles hide the body?

The common allegation of infidelity has been that the disciples of Christ confiscated his body and contrived the story of the resurrection. This, in fact, was the tale fabricated by the chief priests who bribed the solders to claim that “His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept” (Mt. 28:13 [ASV]). How brilliantly imaginative—sleeping witnesses! And the apostle Matthew, writing at least two decades after the resurrection, observes that this ludicrous rumor “was spread abroad among the Jews, […] until this day” (Mt. 28:15 [ASV]). In fact, the story continued many years beyond Matthew’s time. Justin Martyr (c. A.D. 165) referred to it in his Dialogue with Trypho, and it is repeated in a document known as the Toledoth Jesu, thus proving that the Lord’s body was never found (see Edersheim, 637).[9]

Besides, what possible motive could have possessed the disciples to steal the body and then claim a resurrection when they had not even anticipated the resurrection (cf. Mk. 16:11–13; Lk. 24:10ff; Jn. 20:25)? And what did they gain by telling the resurrection story? They gained nothing but torture and death! While men may sacrifice their lives because they are deceived, they do not willingly go to their deaths knowing they are perpetrating a hoax!

Finally, there is that inexplicable problem of how the disciples breached that experienced guard of soldiers and made off with the body. The notion that the Lord’s body was stolen by his friends is at variance with the evidence.

He arose!

The honest student of history is, therefore, left with but one alternative—Jesus of Nazareth did actually rise from the dead!

Witnesses of the Resurrection

Luke, a physician (Col. 4:14) and first-rate historian, after having investigated the matter carefully, stated that Jesus “showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs” (Acts 1:3). He appeared on numerous occasions during the forty-day span between his death and ascension. The word “proofs” translates a Greek term that was used by the classical writers to “denote the strongest proof of which a subject is susceptible” (Alexander, 5).[10] The post-resurrection appearances of the Lord that are recorded are as follows.

Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb after Peter and John had left (Jn. 20:11–17; cf. Mk. 16:9–11).

The Lord appeared to a group of women disciples who had visited his empty tomb (Mt. 28:9–10).

Jesus appeared to Peter on the afternoon of the resurrection day (Lk. 24:34; cf. 1 Cor. 15:5).

He appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13–35; Mk. 16:12).

Christ appeared to ten apostles on the evening of the resurrection [Thomas being absent] (Mk. 16:14; Lk. 24:36–43; Jn. 20:19–23).

The Savior appeared to the eleven disciples on Sunday week following the resurrection [Thomas being present] (Jn. 20:26–29).

The Lord appeared to seven of the disciples beside the Sea of Tiberias, and thrice asked Peter if he loved him (Jn. 21:1–23).

He appeared on one occasion to more than five hundred brethren, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote the letter called First Corinthians (1 Cor. 15:6), which demonstrates that the resurrection story could be checked.

Jesus appeared to James (1 Cor. 15:7)—probably the Lord’s half-brother who formerly had disbelieved (Jn. 7:3–5).

Christ appeared to the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee where he gave what is called the “great commission” (Mt. 28:16–20).

The Lord appeared to his disciples on the Mount of Olives just prior to his ascension into heaven (Lk. 24:44–53; Acts 1:3–9).

The Living One (Rev. 1:18) appeared to Stephen, his first martyr (Acts 7:55–56).

Christ appeared to the apostle Paul at least three times: on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3–6), later when Paul was praying in the temple (Acts 22:17–21), and while he was in prison in Caesarea (Acts 23:11).

Also, the Lord appeared to the beloved apostle John on the isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:12–20).

Are the Witnesses Credible?

Clearly, the witnesses to the resurrection of Christ were manifold. The only remaining questions are these:

• Were the witnesses reasonably intelligent people—and not fools or wild hysterics?
• Were they honest individuals of worthy character?

One of the foremost authorities on legal evidence ever to live in this country was the renowned Simon Greenleaf (1783–1853). He served as Royall Professor of Law at Harvard and later as Dane Professor of Law at Harvard.

In 1852, he published his famous work, A Treatise on the Law of Evidence, which “is still considered the greatest single authority on evidence in the entire literature of legal procedure” (Smith, 423).[11] In 1847, professor Greenleaf issued a significant work of more than 500 pages under the title of An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists by the Rules of Evidence Administered in Courts
of Justice (Baker, 1965 reprint). In this remarkable work, Greenleaf concluded that it was: “… impossible that they [the apostles] could have persisted in affirming the truths they have narrated, had not Jesus actually risen from the dead, and had they not known this fact as certainly as they knew any other fact” (Smith, 424).[12] Numerous other highly-competent historical and legal authorities have testified in a similar fashion (see: Smith, 1974, chapter 8; McDowell, 1972, pp. 196ff).[13]

Many pages could be written about Jesus’ resurrection, but this book is not meant to be an apologetics work. His resurrection has been extensively researched, both by Christian advocates and also by skeptics. There is as much evidence that Jesus’ resurrection was real (it wasn’t faked or a lie, etc.) as there is that Jesus was born and lived exactly as Scripture states, and this evidence exceeds the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard that any unbiased modern court of law would uphold.