Prophecy
The Messiah Resurrected from the Dead
Prophecy: The Messiah Resurrected from the Dead
As it was written in the Tanakh (NIV & TLV),
Resurrection versus Resuscitation
Nine individuals recorded in the Tanakh and New Covenant are raised from the dead. They are:
- Elijah raised the son of Zarephath’s widow (1 Kings 17:17–24);
- Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:35);
- A man’s body was thrown into Elisha’s grave and touched his bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet (2 Kings 13:21);
- Jesus raised the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:13–15);
- Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter (Matthew 9:25, Mark 5:42, Luke 8:55);
- Jesus raised his friend Lazarus (Luke 11:43, 44);
- Jesus was raised from the dead (Matthew 28:5, 6, Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–11, John 20:1–10);
- Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9:36–42);
- Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9–12)
However, all of them who were raised have died again, except Jesus. The rest are called resuscitations. For Jesus, he was resurrected, his body had transformed, and he was able to appear to people in recorded history, as described in the section below, and he ascended to heaven in his flesh but with a transformed body.
Resurrection
Isaiah prophesied in 53:9 that the Messiah would die; however, in verse 10, he would see his offspring and prolong his days. How does the Messiah die and then prolong his days? The only explanation for this is that the Messiah was raised from the dead. It is implicitly about the resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection gives evidence that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah who fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in the book of Isaiah, chapter 53.
How did the Messiah Jesus fulfill this prophecy?
Facts for the Resurrection:
Jewish Tradition Approach:
Based on the Jewish tradition, Jesus’ body was wrapped with over a hundred pounds of spices, and placed in a tomb. A sealed stone, which weighed over 440 pounds, was placed over the entrance to the tomb. It is impossible for someone to escape with a hundred pounds of spices and serious wounds.
The Tomb Approach:
A sealed stone, which weighed over 440 pounds, was placed over the entrance to the tomb. The sealed stone was also secured by the guard posted by Pilate (Matthew 27:66). It is impossible that the guard would let Jesus escape without serious consequences.
The Witnesses Approach:
Regardless of the wrap with heavy spices, a sealed stone, and guards, God raised Jesus from the dead on the third day! There were plenty of eyewitnesses that Jesus had been resurrected and appeared in front of them: the women (Luke 24:1–11, John 11:11–18, Matthew 28:8–10), soldiers (Matthew 28:11–15), disciples (Luke 24:13–52, Matthew 28:16–20, Mark 16:12–20, John 20:24–29, John 21:1-2), and the five hundred who saw Jesus together at the same time and place (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).
Disciples could not Find Jesus' Body in the Tomb Because He had Risen
Luke 24:6-8 “ 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.”
Jesus Appeared to the Disciples
Luke 24:46-47 “ 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”