The question of whether Jesus is dead or alive is central to the Christian faith. The Bible provides clear testimony that Jesus was crucified and died, but that He was resurrected and is now alive forevermore. Examining key Scripture passages helps illuminate the biblical perspective on this important topic.
Jesus’ Crucifixion and Death Are Factual Historical Events
All four Gospels in the New Testament provide detailed accounts of Jesus’ arrest, trials, crucifixion, and death (Matthew 26-27; Mark 14-15; Luke 22-23; John 18-19). Extrabiblical historians and sources from antiquity also confirm Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate. The crucifixion and death of Jesus are undeniable historical facts.
The Gospel accounts describe how Jesus was scourged and beaten, then nailed to a cross where He hung for hours until death. To ensure His death, a soldier pierced His side with a spear and blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). The Roman executioners did not break Jesus’ legs as they did the other criminals crucified with Him, because they saw He was already dead (John 19:33). Joseph of Arimathea then buried Jesus’ body in a tomb sealed with a large stone (Matthew 27:57-60). Jesus’ death by crucifixion is affirmed throughout Scripture and extrabiblical sources.
Old Testament Prophecies Foretold the Messiah Would Die
The Old Testament contains prophecies about the coming Messiah who would die a sacrificial death to atone for sins. Isaiah 53 vividly foretells the Messiah would be “pierced for our transgressions” and that “the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:5-6). It says “he poured out his soul to death” and “he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12). Other prophecies also pointed to the Messiah’s death (Psalm 22; Zechariah 12:10). Jesus explained to His disciples how the Old Testament Scriptures foretold His death (Luke 24:25-27).
Jesus Voluntarily Gave His Life as a Sacrifice for Sins
Jesus made it clear that He willingly laid down His life sacrificially to provide salvation: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:11,18). He told His disciples He came “to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). On the cross, Jesus willingly yielded His spirit and gave His life to atone for the sins of the world (John 19:30; 1 John 2:2).
Jesus Bore the Full Wrath of God on the Cross
A core aspect of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross was that He bore the wrath and punishment of God toward sin in the place of sinners. Isaiah 53:4-5 says “he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” As Jesus hung on the cross, God the Father poured out His furious wrath against sin upon the Son.
Jesus Died a Real Physical Death and Was Buried
After dying on the cross, Jesus’ body was taken down and buried in a tomb. The Gospels recount Joseph of Arimathea wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen cloth and “laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock” (Matthew 27:59-60). A massive stone was rolled over the entrance. Roman guards sealed and secured the tomb (Matthew 27:66). There was no question regarding Jesus’ death, as a crucified person being taken down and buried confirmed the execution was completed. Jesus physically died on the cross, and His dead body was laid in a guarded tomb.
Jesus Predicted His Death and Resurrection
Jesus repeatedly told His disciples He must suffer, die and rise again. “From that time 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 on the third day be raised” (Matthew 16:21). He foretold that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31). Jesus knew He had come to give His life but that He would also conquer death in resurrection.
The Empty Tomb and Post-Resurrection Appearances Confirm Jesus Is Alive
The Gospels record that Jesus’ tomb was empty on the third day after His crucifixion (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9). Jesus began making multiple appearances to His followers after the resurrection. He appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb (John 20:11-18). He walked with two disciples on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:13-32). Jesus showed Himself alive to the disciples, even eating fish to prove He was not a ghost (Luke 24:36-43). His post-resurrection appearances provide overwhelming evidence that He had risen from the dead.
The Eyewitness Testimony of the Apostles Confirms Jesus Rose from Death
Those closest to Jesus boldly proclaimed that they personally saw Him alive after His crucifixion. Peter preached, “This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). John testified “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands” (1 John 1:1). The apostles insisted they saw the risen Jesus with their own eyes and touched His resurrected body. They staked their lives on proclaiming Christ had conquered death itself.
The Transformations of the Disciples Demonstrate Jesus Was Resurrected
Jesus’ apostles went from defeated and discouraged after the crucifixion to courageous witnesses. Peter, who denied knowing Jesus, stood before crowds in Jerusalem preaching the risen Christ just weeks later. The disciples were suddenly willing to suffer persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom for telling others about Jesus. Only a real resurrection appearance could have removed their fears and emboldened them with such boldness. The changed lives of the apostles evince the truth of the resurrection.
The Establishment and Growth of the Early Church Confirms Jesus’ Resurrection
In the weeks after Jesus was crucified, the fledgling band of disciples grew into an established church community numbering in the thousands (Acts 2:41; 4:4). The explosive expansion of Christianity in Jerusalem and unto the ends of the earth indicates the resurrection was a historical fact. The church spread so rapidly because eye-witnesses like Peter preached openly that they had personally seen the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 2:32). A false claim of resurrection would not birth such a bold, sacrificial, expanding church.
Scholarly Assertions of Jesus’ Resurrection Being Borrowed or Legendary Do Not Stand Up to Scrutiny
Some critical scholars assert the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection were borrowed from pagan myths or Jewish legends. But first century Judaism had no concept of a single individual rising from the dead before the general resurrection. Nor is there any evidence early Christians borrowed resurrection themes from pagan myths. The historical evidence shows the only explanation for the disciples’ transformed lives was that they truly saw their Lord alive after His death. The resurrection was not borrowed legend but historical fact witnessed by Christ’s followers.
Belief in Jesus’ Resurrection Is Essential for Salvation
Scripture links faith in Christ’s resurrection with salvation itself. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Those who trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection for forgiveness and new life will experience salvation. Denying the resurrection cuts one off from God’s saving grace (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). Salvation comes only through believing the historical reality that God raised Jesus bodily from the grave.
Jesus Is the Resurrected and Exalted Lord Now in Heaven
After appearing to many people over a 40-day period, Jesus ascended up into heaven (Acts 1:3,9). He sits exalted at the right hand of God as King over all (Philippians 2:9-11). The book of Revelation shows Jesus appearing in glory and splendor as the Almighty Alpha and Omega who declares, “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:17-18). The living, glorified Jesus now rules over all and intercedes for His people (Hebrews 7:25). One day He will visibly return to judge the world and reign forever.
Those Who Repent and Believe Will Be Resurrected to Eternal Life with Jesus
Jesus’ own resurrection guarantees that those who believe in Him will also rise from death to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). At Christ’s second coming, the dead in Christ will be resurrected and believers alive will be changed to immortal bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16). This future bodily resurrection is the hope of all Christians. Jesus said, “because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Eternal life in glorified resurrected bodies awaits all who trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord.
The Resurrection Empowers Believers to Live for Christ Now
Jesus’ resurrection supplies believers with spiritual power to live for Him presently. Paul testified, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection” (Philippians 3:10). Believers can count themselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11). The risen Christ’s divine life operates in the believer by the Holy Spirit. Christians walk in new life as they rely on the resurrecting power of their living Lord each day.
The Resurrected Christ Gives Meaning, Hope, and Purpose for This Life
Because Jesus conquered death and rose again, He supplies meaning and hope to believers in the struggles of life. Suffering and death do not have the final word anymore. New resurrection life awaits in eternity. The reality of the resurrection helps Christians persevere through trials, knowing their labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). The risen Christ gives purpose to believers’ lives as they live all out for the One who gave His all for them.
The Resurrection Provides a Foretaste of Eternal Glory with Christ
Jesus’ own resurrection inaugurates the new creation and grants believers a foretaste of coming glory. Ephesians 1:19-20 says God’s mighty power “he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead.” Believers experience the firstfruits of resurrection power belonging to the age to come. The Spirit who raised Jesus dwells in Christians as the guarantee of immortal life to come (Romans 8:11). By the Spirit’s indwelling presence, Christians taste the powers of the future resurrection now.
In summary, the biblical evidence overwhelmingly affirms that Jesus physically died by crucifixion but then conquered death by rising from the grave. His resurrection appearances, the transformed lives of the apostles, and the birth and growth of the early church all indicate Christ’s resurrection was an actual historical event. Believers through the ages have staked their lives on the truth that Jesus is the resurrected Lord of life. Trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection provides forgiveness, renewal, purpose, and the hope of eternal life.