The Resurrection of Jesus has been discussed for centuries. Though Easter is quite popular, this topic is worth discussing since there are numerous debates regarding Jesus rising from the dead. What people want to understand is when did Jesus rise from the dead?
According to Matthew 16:21, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. In Mark 8:31, Jesus predicted that he would rise again after three days. However, the Bible does not state the exact day that Jesus rose from the dead.
What does the Bible say about when Jesus rose from the dead? Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? Is there physical evidence that shows Jesus rose from the dead? These are some of the questions that this article will cover. Read on to find out more!
What does the Bible say about when Jesus rose from the dead?
Different references in the New Testament suggest that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. For instance, Matthew 12:40 implies that Jesus predicted that he would rise after three days. This verse says, for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, So will the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Mark 8:31 also talks about Jesus predicting his death. This verse says, He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law and that he must be killed, and after three days rise again.
Luke 24:46 also says that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. This verse says He told them, That it is written the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead?
The Resurrection of Jesus is important since it shows the immense power of God. Since God resurrected Jesus from the dead, it reminds Christians of his sovereignty over death and life.
Jesus also rose from the dead to fulfill the Old Testament Prophecy. In the Old Testament, God promised his people a savior who would come to change their lives. For instance, Psalm 16: 9-10 says, Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices, my body also will rest secure because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead nor will You let your faithful one see decay. This verse means that even though the Messiah would die, his body would not decay since he would rise again.
Acts 17: 2-3 is also about prophesying the death and Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy when he rose from the dead.
Jesus rising from the dead was also important since it validated who he claimed to be. Jesus said that he was the Son of God and his Resurrection proved this. Jesus’ Resurrection also supported his claims that he would be raised on the third day.
Different Bible verses talk of Jesus predicting his death. For instance, Mark 9:31 says, for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days, he will rise. Though Jesus predicted his death and Resurrection on several occasions, the disciples did not understand what he was saying until it came to pass.
Is there physical evidence that shows Jesus rose from the dead?
Appearing to different people after Jesus was resurrected is physical evidence that he rose from the dead. According to John 20:11-17, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene after he rose from the dead, and she thought he was the gardener.
The Gospel of Luke also shows that Jesus rose from the dead since he appeared to his disciples. Luke 24:36 says, While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them Peace be with you. Another piece of evidence that shows Jesus rose from the dead was the empty tomb explained in John 20: 1-18 and Luke 24:1-12.
When Jesus died, his followers grieved and felt confused. When Jesus appeared to them after he had resurrected, their lives changed. They became bold proclaimers of the Resurrection since they had seen the risen Christ.
The disciples, who were once cowards before Jesus died, were ready to get arrested for him after he resurrected, as explained in Acts 4:1-3. Their behavior change is also evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.
On what day did Jesus rise from the dead?
Since the Bible does not explicitly state the specific day when Jesus rose from the dead, there are controversies regarding this. The Bible implies that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, as explained in Matthew 16: 21 and Luke 9:22.
On the other hand, Mark 8:31 and John 2:19 say that Jesus would be raised from the dead after three days. Though these verses seem to have some contradiction, it’s wrong to assume that the Gospel writers wrote with precision regarding time. These bible verses were not written to meet our modern standards of the time.
How is Easter the third day after Jesus’ death?
The Friday crucifixion is the most widely held view due to the tradition of celebrating Easter on Sunday. Looking at it from the modern perspective of time, Sunday is only two days after Friday.
However, during ancient times, people never used to count days like we do today.
According to the liturgical calendar, some people argue Easter is the third day after Jesus’ death since they include Good Friday, the day of his death, as the first day. Holy Saturday is considered the second day, while Easter Sunday, the day that Jesus rose from the dead, is considered the third day.
Did Jesus rise from the dead on Saturday or Sunday?
People have debated the exact day Jesus rose from the dead for a long time. While some argue that he was resurrected on Saturday, others argue that this happened on Sunday.
Those that believe he rose from the dead on Sunday quote John 20:19. This verse says, Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were together due to the fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, Peace be to you.
Mark 16: 1 also mentions Jesus resurrected on the first day of the week. It says, When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices so they might go and anoint him. And they went to the tomb very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen.
Most Christians argue that the disciples met together on Resurrection Sunday. Though the Jewish was on the Sabbath, early Christians considered Sunday their day of worship to commemorate Jesus’ Resurrection.
However, some argue that Jesus was crucified on Thursday and rose from the dead on Saturday. Since the times in ancient days were not as similar as modern days, and the Bible does not clearly state the exact day that Jesus rose from the dead, these are only theories from people.
What year did Jesus rise from the dead?
The Bible does not specify the precise year when Jesus rose from the dead. However, Biblical scholars believe this may have happened in either AD 30 or AD 36. What is essential is not the specific year that he rose from the dead but what his crucifixion signified in our lives. The Resurrection of Christ is why Christians hope for eternal life, as explained in John 3:16.
References
- Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ important?
- Don Stewart: What is the indirect evidence that Jesus came back from the dead?
- Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28)
- Resurrection
- Don Stewart: To whom did Jesus appear after his death
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
