The brief account of saints being raised to life at Jesus’ death in Matthew 27:52-53 has puzzled many Bible readers over the years. Let’s take a close look at the passage:
The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matthew 27:52-53)
This passage comes right after Matthew’s account of the death of Jesus on the cross. After Jesus “yielded up his spirit” (v. 50), Matthew records a number of miraculous events that accompanied his death:
- The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (v. 51a)
- The earth shook and rocks were split (v. 51b)
- Tombs were opened, and saints were raised to life (v. 52-53)
Clearly, Matthew intended to portray the death of Jesus as a highly significant event accompanied by dramatic, supernatural phenomena. The raising of these saints is meant to reveal the authority of Jesus over death itself.
But who were these saints brought back to life, and why does Matthew include this event in his Gospel? Let’s look at a few key questions to understand the meaning of this passage.
1. When were these saints raised back to life?
There has been debate about the exact timing of when these saints were raised. Some believe it was at the precise moment of Jesus’ death. Others think it happened later, perhaps when Jesus was resurrected. The text indicates it happened after Jesus’ death (“after his resurrection”), but does not specify precisely when.
Either way, Matthew clearly presents Jesus’ death as the cause of these saints being raised. His death released the power of resurrection, even before his own resurrection.
2. Why are they called “saints”?
The term Matthew uses for these people is hagioi in Greek, which means “holy ones” or “saints.” It refers to believers in Yahweh, Israel’s holy and righteous God. Using this term underscores their faithfulness to God in their earthly lives.
These individuals had died in hope of eternal life. Jesus’ victory over death secured that hope. So they are fittingly called “saints” as believers whose hope is vindicated through Jesus’ resurrection power.
3. Who were these saints resurrected?
Unfortunately Matthew does not tell us specifically who these saints were. There are several possibilities that have been suggested:
- Deceased martyrs: Some propose these could include saints who were killed for their faithfulness to God under oppressive rulers like Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
- Notable OT figures: Such as Abraham, David, Isaiah, etc. However, this is unlikely since there is no evidence of such traditions about their tombs in Israel.
- Recently deceased believers: People who had died shortly before Jesus’ death and were known to the early Christians in Jerusalem.
The third option seems most plausible. Matthew likely has specific deceased saints in mind, but chooses not to name them explicitly. They serve as representatives of the dead in Christ who will be made alive through Jesus’ resurrection.
4. Why were they raised back to life?
As we’ve seen, Matthew connects the raising of these saints directly with Jesus’ death. He does so to demonstrate Jesus’ authority and power over death. Jesus accomplishes through his death what no other man could do.
In Matthew’s Gospel, this raising of the dead saints authenticates Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah who was given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). It points forward to Jesus’ own resurrection as proof of his victory over sin and death.
Matthew Henry notes that these saints were a “pledge of the approaching resurrection, to assure those that slept in Jesus of their revival too.” It gave visible, tangible evidence that death had been defeated.
5. Why did the saints appear to people?
After rising from the dead, Matthew says these saints “went into the holy city and appeared to many” (v. 53). Entering Jerusalem and making appearances of themselves served two key purposes:
- It gave indisputable proof they had been raised back to life.
- It allowed them to give glorifying witness to Jesus’ death and the promise of resurrection life.
In a similar way, Jesus ate with his disciples and invited Thomas to touch his scars to prove his resurrection. The returning saints would have been able to testify personally to God’s redemption of their mortal bodies through Christ’s death.
6. How long were these saints raised?
The text does not tell us explicitly how long these saints lived or appeared to people. There are two main possibilities:
- They were raised temporarily, like Lazarus in John 11. After appearing for a time, they returned to the grave.
- They experienced permanent bodily resurrection, like Jesus. If so, they may have later ascended to heaven as he did.
The phrase “coming out of the tombs after his resurrection” implies their new life began at Jesus’ death and continued forward. This favors the view of a lasting resurrection. But we cannot be certain.
7. How does this fulfill Old Testament prophecies?
In raising these saints, Jesus fulfills the prophetic hope of resurrection found in passages like Isaiah 26:19:
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! (Isaiah 26:19)
Daniel 12:2 also promised, “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.” Matthew is showing that Jesus’ redemptive work began to fulfill these OT prophecies about resurrection.
Ezekiel 37 vividly portrays Israel’s exile as a valley of dry bones, which God promises to raise back to life: “Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves” (Ezekiel 37:12). Matthew draws on this rich background of prophetic hope now being realized in Jesus.
8. Why is this only recorded in Matthew?
Of the four Gospels, only Matthew mentions this miraculous raising of the saints at Jesus’ death. Why did the other Gospel writers leave this out? Here are a few possible reasons:
- The other Gospels do emphasize other miraculous signs at Jesus’ death, like the temple curtain being torn.
- Each Gospel writer selected material based on their unique themes and purposes.
- Only Matthew highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of OT prophecy as part of his Messianic focus.
- Matthew wrote primarily to a Jewish audience familiar with these OT passages.
So while the other Gospels also affirm Jesus’ resurrection victory, Matthew uniquely includes this event as contributing to his purpose and message for his readers.
9. What theological significance does this have?
Theologically, this brief account highlights several key truths:
- Jesus’ power over death – His death destroys death and releases resurrection power.
- Jesus as Messiah – This event confirms Jesus’ identity as the prophesied Messiah.
- Fulfillment of OT prophecy – The promises of resurrection for God’s people begin to come to pass.
- Jesus’ resurrection foreshadowed – This raises expectation for Jesus’ own resurrection.
- Our future resurrection – All who die trusting in Christ will be raised as He was.
This account offers an encouraging glimpse of Jesus’ definitive victory over sin and death that is fully accomplished in his resurrection.
10. What practical relevance does this have?
This passage can help us in the following practical ways:
- Builds our faith in Jesus’ power – If he raised others, he can raise us!
- Gives hope for our resurrection – We need not fear death knowing He has authority over it.
- Motivates us to share our faith – As those raised did, we must testify to Christ’s victory.
- Encourages perseverance – Temporary trials are not worth comparing to eternal glory in resurrection.
- Inspires us to godly living – We want to live as faithful saints awaiting our resurrection hope.
This passage is a hopeful reminder for believers facing suffering and death that the grave does not have the final word. Jesus has conquered it, and we will share one day in his resurrection victory through God’s power!