Has a Resurrection of the Dead Already Happened with Two More Coming?

Introduction

As I was reading Matthew 27:50-53, the passage describing Jesus’ crucifixion, a few details stood out to me—specifically, how Jesus released His Spirit, and the earth shook with an earthquake. But what truly struck me was the account of godly men and women being raised from the dead and appearing to many in Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection. This event is unique in the Bible, as it highlights a physical resurrection that took place immediately after Jesus’ death. It made me wonder: Has a resurrection of the dead already occurred, and if so, how does it relate to future resurrections described in Scripture? Could there be two more resurrections yet to come?

TL;DR Summary

Who is involved in the resurrection described in Matthew 27?
The individuals raised from the dead in Matthew 27:52-53 were godly men and women, often referred to as “saints,” who had died before Christ’s crucifixion. These individuals were resurrected as part of the supernatural events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection.

What happened in this resurrection?
When Jesus died on the cross, the earth shook, the temple veil was torn, and these godly people were raised from their tombs. After Jesus’ resurrection, they entered Jerusalem and appeared to many, serving as a powerful testimony to His victory over death.

Where did this event take place?
The event occurred in Jerusalem, with the resurrected saints entering the city and appearing to many people, demonstrating God’s power at work in the resurrection of Jesus.

When did this resurrection occur?
This resurrection took place immediately following Jesus’ death on the cross, coinciding with the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Why did this resurrection happen?
This resurrection served as a sign of Jesus’ victory over death, prefiguring the final resurrection of believers. It also demonstrated that through Jesus, resurrection life is possible, foreshadowing the future resurrections described in biblical prophecy.

How does this resurrection relate to future resurrections?
This event is seen as a precursor to two more resurrections: the resurrection of believers at Christ’s return and the final resurrection of the dead before the judgment seat of Christ. These future events are essential parts of Christian eschatology.

Narrative Context

In Matthew 27:50-53, we are told that as Jesus cried out and gave up His Spirit, several supernatural occurrences took place: the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, the earth shook, and rocks split. Most strikingly, many of the godly who had died were raised from their graves and later appeared to people in Jerusalem. This event is notable because it highlights a physical resurrection that immediately followed Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. It also serves as a powerful demonstration of the victory over death that Jesus’ sacrifice achieved.

Historically, this resurrection was a one-time event that occurred as part of the miraculous signs surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, Scripture speaks of other future resurrections—the resurrection of believers at the Second Coming and the general resurrection of all people before the final judgment. These future events are often associated with Christ’s return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Scriptural Foundations

The Bible describes multiple resurrections, each with specific significance and timing:

• Matthew 27:50-53: “Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.”
  This passage details a resurrection that occurred immediately after Jesus’ death. The saints’ appearance in Jerusalem served as a powerful testimony of Jesus’ victory over death.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.”
  This passage describes the future resurrection of believers at Christ’s return, often referred to as the rapture or first resurrection of the righteous.
• Revelation 20:5-6: “The rest of the dead didn’t live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years.”
  Here, John describes the first resurrection, which occurs at the return of Christ, and contrasts it with the resurrection of the dead after the millennium for the final judgment.

Perspectives from Others

Different theological perspectives offer varying views on how to interpret these resurrections. Many Christians see the resurrection described in Matthew 27 as a unique event tied to the specific historical context of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Others interpret it as a foreshadowing of the greater resurrection to come, which will involve all believers.

In premillennial theology, two future resurrections are emphasized: the first resurrection of the righteous when Christ returns and the final resurrection before the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20). Amillennialists, on the other hand, often see the first resurrection as spiritual in nature, symbolizing the believer’s new life in Christ, while the second resurrection refers to the physical resurrection at the end of time.

Identifying Misunderstandings

One common misunderstanding is the belief that the resurrection described in Matthew 27:50-53 represents the general resurrection of all believers. However, this was a unique, localized event in Jerusalem, meant to signify Jesus’ victory over death and the inauguration of the resurrection life to come.

Another misconception is that this one event nullifies the need for future resurrections. In reality, it is seen as a sign pointing to the future, greater resurrections of both the righteous and the unrighteous, as described in other parts of Scripture.

Relevance and Application for You

The resurrection of the saints in Matthew 27 provides a glimpse of what is to come for all believers. It reminds us that Jesus has conquered death, and that, just as these saints were raised, all believers will one day experience resurrection life. This hope is central to the Christian faith and provides encouragement in the face of death, suffering, and uncertainty. As followers of Christ, we live with the assurance that we, too, will share in His resurrection and eternal life.

Encouragement and Conclusion

The resurrection described in Matthew 27 offers us a powerful reminder of God’s control over life and death. While this specific event occurred as part of the signs surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion, it points toward the broader hope of future resurrections: the resurrection of believers at Christ’s return and the final resurrection at the end of time. As we look forward to these events, let us be encouraged by the knowledge that death has been defeated and that we will one day share in Christ’s eternal life.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the earthquake accompanying the resurrection of the saints in Matthew 27 was not the only time an earthquake signified divine intervention? In Acts 16:26, when Paul and Silas were imprisoned, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, opening all the doors and unfastening everyone’s chains. In both events, the earthquake served as a dramatic symbol of God’s power over creation and His ability to free and restore, both physically and spiritually.