One of the most fundamental beliefs of Christianity is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being crucified. This event, known as the Resurrection, is a central tenet of the faith and is referenced throughout the Bible.
But where exactly in the Bible does it talk about Jesus’ resurrection? Let’s take a closer look.
The Resurrection in the New Testament
The primary source for information about Jesus’ Resurrection is found in the New Testament of the Bible. Specifically, there are four books known as the Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – which provide detailed accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection.
Matthew
In Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 28), we read that Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary went to visit Jesus’ tomb on the morning after his crucifixion. When they arrived at the tomb, they found that it was empty.
An angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Later on, Jesus himself appeared to his disciples and gave them instructions before ascending into heaven.
Mark
Mark’s Gospel (chapter 16) tells a similar story. Mary Magdalene and two other women went to visit Jesus’ tomb but found it empty. Later on, Jesus appeared to his disciples and rebuked them for their lack of faith.
Luke
Luke’s Gospel (chapter 24) provides even more detail about what happened after Jesus’ resurrection. Two of his disciples were walking along a road when they encountered a stranger who turned out to be Jesus himself.
He explained to them how all of the prophecies in the Old Testament pointed towards his death and resurrection. Later on, he appeared to his disciples again and ate a meal with them to prove that he was truly alive.
John
In John’s Gospel (chapter 20), Mary Magdalene went to visit Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. She ran to tell Peter and another disciple, who then went to see for themselves.
They found the tomb as Mary had described, but they did not yet understand what it meant. Later on, Jesus appeared to his disciples – including Thomas, who had initially doubted that he had really risen from the dead – and showed them his wounds as proof of his identity.
The Resurrection in Other Books of the Bible
While the Gospels provide the most detailed accounts of Jesus’ resurrection, there are other references to this event throughout the New Testament. Paul’s letters in particular emphasize the importance of the Resurrection for Christian belief.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is in vain. He goes on to describe how Jesus appeared to many different people after his resurrection, including Peter, James, and more than 500 others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible provides multiple accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts provide details about how Mary Magdalene and other women discovered that Jesus’ tomb was empty and how he later appeared to his disciples.
The Resurrection is also referenced in other books of the New Testament such as Paul’s letters. Overall, belief in the Resurrection is a central component of Christian faith and is supported by multiple passages throughout the Bible.