Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s resurrection was foreshadowed in the OT

In Abraham and Isaac:

Ge 22:5; Heb 11:19

In Jonah:

Jon 1:17; Jon 2:10; Mt 12:40

Jesus Christ’s resurrection was predicted

In the OT

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 LEB

For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures,

See also Is 53:11; Ho 6:2; Lk 24:45–46; Ac 2:25–31; Ac 13:35; Ps 16:8–11; Ac 13:34; Ac 26:22–23

By Jesus Christ himself

Matthew 16:21 LEB

From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.

See also Mt 17:9; Mt 20:18–19; Mt 26:32; Jn 2:19–21

Jesus Christ’s resurrection was anticipated by the raising of the dead

In the OT

Heb 11:35 None of the OT or NT miracles are true resurrections. Those raised resumed life as before, their bodies unchanged. Resurrection for Jesus Christ and therefore for his people means a changed body and permanent life in glory. This is the “better resurrection”.

See also 1 Ki 17:22; 2 Ki 4:35; 2 Ki 13:21

In the miracles of Jesus Christ

Luke 7:22 LEB

And he answered and said to them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear; the dead are raised, the poor have good news announced to them.

See also Mt 9:23–25; Mt 27:52–53; Lk 7:14–15; Jn 11:43–44

The sequence of events in Jesus Christ’s resurrection

It was preceded by suffering and death

Philippians 2:8–9 LEB

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, that is, death on a cross. Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name,

See also Jn 19:28–33; Heb 2:9

It took place on the first day of the week

John 20:1–2 LEB

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him!”

It was announced by angels

Matthew 28:5–6 LEB

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.

See also Lk 24:23; 1 Ti 3:16

The disciples were reluctant to believe it

Luke 24:25–26 LEB

And he said to them, “O foolish and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

See also Mk 16:13–14; Lk 24:11; Jn 20:24–25

The disciples saw the evidence and were ultimately convinced

John 2:22 LEB

So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the scripture and the saying that Jesus had spoken.

See also Lk 24:33–35; Jn 20:8; Jn 20:18; Jn 20:26–28; Ac 2:32; Ac 3:15; Ac 4:33

The risen Christ appeared to many people

Acts 1:3 LEB

to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God.

To the disciples:

Mt 28:16–17; Mk 16:14; Lk 24:50–52; Jn 20:19–23; Jn 20:26–31; Jn 21:1–2; Ac 1:9–11

To Mary Magdalene:

Mk 16:9; Jn 20:11–18

Lk 24:13–15 to two on the Emmaus road

To Peter:

Lk 24:34; 1 Co 15:5

To Paul:

Ac 9:3–5; 1 Co 15:8

Ac 10:39–41; 1 Co 15:6 to over 500 people; 1 Co 15:7 to James

The resurrection was followed by Jesus Christ’s entry into glory

Romans 8:34 LEB

Who is the one who condemns? Christ is the one who died, and more than that, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

See also 1 Co 15:24–29; Eph 1:18–21; 1 Ti 3:16; Heb 1:3; Re 1:18

Jesus Christ’s resurrection body was spiritual but not ghostly

Luke 24:37–39 LEB

But they were startled and became terrified, and thought they had seen a ghost. And he said to them, “Why are you frightened? And for what reason do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”

See also Jn 20:27; Ac 1:4; 1 Co 15:50; Php 3:21