The Resurrection of Christ Matthew 27:51-53

 Matthew 27:51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

a. NLT: At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,

b. NIV: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

c. YLT:  and lo, the vail of the sanctuary was rent in two from top unto bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks were rent,

d. Amplified Bible:  And at once the curtain of the sanctuary of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split.

e. Worrell Translation: And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two, from the top to bottom; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks were rent;

1. “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom…”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

b. behold [Strong: 2400 * idou id-oo'; second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.]

c. the [Strong: 3588. [to] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [to] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

veil [Strong: 2665 * katapetasma: kat-ap-et'-as-mah; from a compound of 2596 and a congener of 4072; something spread thoroughly, i.e. (specially) the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple:--vail.]

d. [of] the [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, Hē, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

temple [Strong: 3485 naós, nah-os'; from a primary naio (to dwell); a fane, shrine, temple :--shrine, temple.]

e. was rent [Strong: 4977 * schizo skhid'-zo; apparently a primary verb; to split or sever (literally or figuratively):--break, divide, open, rend, make a rent.]

f. in [Strong: 1519 * eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

g. twain [Strong: 1417 * duo, doo'-o; a primary numeral; "two":--both, twain, two.]

h. from [575 * apo] [Strong: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.]

i. [the] top [Strong: 509 * anothen an'-o-then; from 507; from above; by analogy, from the first; by implication, anew:--from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top.]

j. to [Strong: 2193 * heos] [Strong: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).]

k. the bottom [2736 * kato] [Strong: also (compare) katotero kat-o-ter'-o (compare 2737); adverb from 2596; downwards:--beneath, bottom, down, under.]

1). The ripping of the veil that separated the holy place from the most holy place meant that the way into the Holy of Holies was made open by the death of Christ.

a).  Hebrews 10:19, 20 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

2. “…and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the earth [1093 * ge] [Strong: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.]

c. did quake [4579 * seio si’o] [Strong: apparently a primary verb; to rock (vibrate, properly, sideways or to and fro), i.e. (generally) to agitate (in any direction; cause to tremble); figuratively, to throw into a tremor (of fear or concern):--move, quake, shake.]

d. and [2532 * kai] See “and” above.

e. the rocks [4073 * petra] [Strong: feminine of the same as 4074; a (mass of) rock (literally or figuratively):--rock.]

f. rent [4977 * schizo] [Strong: apparently a primary verb; to split or sever (literally or figuratively):--break, divide, open, rend, make a rent.]

1). It was the violence of the earthquake that caused the graves to be opened, but the saints did not rise from them until after the resurrection of Christ as we shall see in the next verse.

Matthew 27:52

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints arose,

a. NLT: and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.

b. NIV: and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

c. YLT: and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who have fallen asleep, arose,

d. Amplified Bible: The tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep in death were raised [to life];

e. A.S. Worrell Translation: and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

1. “And the graves were opened…”

a. And [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the graves [3419 * mnemeion] [Strong: a remembrance, i.e. cenotaph (place of interment):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.]

c. were opened [455 * anoigo] [Strong: (to open); to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications):--open.]

1). Matthew 27:52 is an interesting passage because it is actually two different events and it is important that we identify both. The first event, the opening of the graves, occurred at the death of Christ.

a). Matthew 27:50-52 “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

27:52 And the graves were opened…”

2). The only thing that happened at the earthquake concerning Matthew 27:52 is the graves were opened. Most Jewish graves at that time were above ground. They were basically rock boxes with a sealed rock lid. When the earthquake occurred it loosened the lids and opened the graves. The bodies of the dead saints within them did not come out until the resurrection of Christ three days later. This will be explained in the next part of the verse.

2. “…and many bodies of the saints arose,”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. many [4183 * polus; including the forms from the alternate pollos] [Strong:  (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

c. bodies [4983 * soma][Strong: the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.][Thayer: the body both of men or animals, a dead body or corpse, the living body, of animals.]

d. of the saints [40 * hagios] [Strong: sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.]

e. arose [1453 * egeiro] [Strong:  probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.]

1). The second event in Matthew 27:52, the resurrection of the saints, took place at the resurrection of Christ. The graves were opened when Christ Jesus died, but the resurrection of the Old Testament saints did not occur until Jesus rose from the dead. Speaking Scripturally, it is not possible that the saints would rise before Jesus rose from the dead. It was the power of the resurrection that caused their physical bodies to come alive, not his death.

a). John 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

2). Commentary: Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown: But it is far more natural, as we think, and consonant with other Scriptures, to understand that only the graves were opened, probably by the earthquake, at our Lord's death, and this only in preparation for the subsequent exit of those who slept in them, when the Spirit of life should enter into them from their risen Lord, and along with Him they should come forth, trophies of His victory over the grave. Thus, in the opening of the graves at the moment of the Redeemer's expiring, there was a glorious symbolical proclamation that the death which had just taken place had "swallowed up death in victory"; and whereas the saints that slept in them were awakened only by their risen Lord, to accompany Him out of the tomb, it was fitting that "the Prince of Life . . . should be the First that should rise from the dead" (Acts 26:23; 1 Corinthians 15:20, 23; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5).

3). There is an Old Testament prophecy concerning the resurrection that applies to this event.

a). Isaiah 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they rise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

b). We see here an Old Covenant prophetic utterance from Isaiah that prophesies the event of Matthew 27:52, 53. The power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead was so overwhelming, that it brought back to life Old Covenant saints that had previously died, probably recent deaths.

c). In the Septuagint translation of Job it declares that Job would be one of those who the Lord raises up.

(1) Job 42:17 And Job died, an old man and full of days: 17α and it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up.

4). But that is not the end of it. Isaiah 26:19 says, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they rise…” There are some New Testament passages that fit in here.

a). Ephesians 1:19, 20 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

5). The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead was given to us to enable us to live an overcoming life in Christ.

a). Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

b). Ephesians 2:4-6 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

c). The reference in Isaiah 26:19 says “…together with my dead body shall they rise…” We have been raised together with Christ to a place of authority, far above all devils and demons. Halleluiah!

Matthew 27:53

And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

a. NLT: They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

b. NIV:  They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and  went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

c. YLT: and having come forth out of the tombs after his rising, they went into the holy city, and appeared to many.

d. Amplified Bible: And coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

e. A.S. Worrell Translation: and, coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

1. “And came out of the graves after his resurrection…”

a. came [1831 * exerchomai; ek-out; erchomai-to go or come] [Strong: to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

b. out of [1537 * ek] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, ...ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.]

c. graves [3419 * mnemeion] [Strong: a remembrance, i.e. cenotaph (place of interment):--grave, sepulchre, tomb.]

d. resurrection [1454 * egersis] [Strong: a resurgence (from death):--resurrection.]

2. “…and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”

a. went [1525 * eiserchomai] [Strong: to enter (literally or figuratively):--X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through).]

b. holy [40 * hagios] [Strong: sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.]

c. city [4172 * polis] [Strong:  a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size):--city.]

d. appeared [1718 * ] [Strong: to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words):--appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.]

e. many [4183 * polys] [Strong: including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

1). Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown Commentary: “and appeared unto many--that there might be undeniable evidence of their own resurrection first, and through it of their Lord's. Thus, while it was not deemed fitting that He Himself should appear again in Jerusalem, save to the disciples, provision was made that the fact of His resurrection should be left in no doubt. It must be observed, however, that the resurrection of these sleeping saints was not like those of the widow of Nain's son, of Jairus' daughter, of Lazarus, and of the man who "revived and stood upon his feet," on his dead body touching the bones of Elisha (2 Kings 13:21) --which were mere temporary recallings of the departed spirit to the mortal body, to be followed by a final departure of it "till the trumpet shall sound." But this was a resurrection once for all, to life everlasting; and so there is no room to doubt that they went to glory with their Lord, as bright trophies of His victory over death.”

2). What a testimony to the people in Jerusalem. The previous verse said many came out of the ground and this verse says “appeared unto many”. There were many people in Jerusalem who encountered dead friends and relatives who had been raised from the dead when jesus was raised from the dead. Remember our verse in Isaiah.

a). Isaiah 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they rise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

3). Think about that powerful moment for a while. You are walking down the streets of Jerusalem and you begin to see friends and family members who have died, some recently and some perhaps not. You and others are encountering these previously deceased persons and these raised persons are declaring that they came out of the grave because of the Messiah Jesus was raised first. Glory to God! What probably happened to these persons is that 40 days later, when Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9, 10). They ascended with Him.

4). The supernatural power exerted at the resurrection of Christ is unlimited. It not only was powerful enough to raise these Old Testament saints. It also causes everyone since then who believes in the resurrection of Christ and declares Him as Lord to be born again, their spirits to be recreated by the Spirit of God (Titus 3:5). That same power then resides in those believers to empower them to live a life victorious over the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 1:19, 20). Glory to God.