Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 27:52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 27:52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints (God's people) who had fallen asleep [in death] were raised [to life]; |
Bible Question:
In St. Matthew 27, verses 52 and 53 we read: "And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many" This must have been the MIRACLE of the MILLENNIUM. Why is this miracle not even mentioned in the other gospels? |
Bible Answer: Good afternoon Tykklief: The "Miracle of the Millennium" is an understatement! The greatest miracle which is seen at Calvary is that God was willing to give his only Son to that awful death and to load our sins upon him that we might be made the righteousness of through him. Your question: Why is this event only found in Matthew? We must remember that each of the eye-witnesses of the four gospels were not always in the same place at the same time during the trial and crucifixtion of Christ. Thus, we would not expect each account to be identical, but in fact would be supplementary of each other. It would seem that the Spirit of God used each of the authors of the gospel to present Christ from different points of view. John tells us that "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25. Matthews gospel presents Christ as the King of the Jews. Mark presents Christ as the humble servant. Luke presents him as the Son of Man, the perfect man on this earth. John presents him as the Son of God. Is it not amazing that individual authors view Christ from different views and in doing so give us the New Testament fulfilment of the Old Testament Prophesies concerning him. However, according to John, the writers of the New Testament did not rely on their memory when writing about the Lord Jesus. Jesus promised them that after his death he would send "the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" Back to your original question. Why is the event of the resurrection of the sleeping saints only recorded in Matthew. If Matthew is presenting his gospel to Israel as he presents Jesus as King or Messiah, then it would seem reasonable that he would feel that this event was important. He wants to show them that in the power of the Resurrection of Christ their King, that those from old testament times who slept in him by faith, would be raised one day. The picture of this is seen in Leviticus 23: 9-12 where Israel was to take a sheaf of wheat from their crop first and offer it to the Lord. The growth of wheat is a picture of resurrection. One single corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies, and yet in its growth from the ground we find many plants in its likeness. When the Lord Jesus died and was buried, he is like that single corn of wheat. When he was raised from the dead a small group of others typified by the sheaf followed him, they are an example of the larger crop or the millions who have trust him and will be changed at his coming. Peace in his Name Robert |