Introduction

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of Christian faith, representing the triumph over sin and death and the promise of eternal life for believers. This event is documented in all four Gospels and is central to the teachings of the New Testament. The resurrection is not only a historical event but also a theological foundation that affirms Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.

Biblical Accounts

1. Matthew 28:1-10: In Matthew's account, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visit the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week. An angel of the Lord descends, rolls back the stone, and sits on it. The guards tremble and become like dead men. The angel announces to the women, "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28:6). The women are instructed to tell the disciples that Jesus will meet them in Galilee.

2. Mark 16:1-8: Mark describes how Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bring spices to anoint Jesus' body. They find the stone rolled away and a young man in a white robe inside the tomb, who tells them, "He has risen! He is not here" (Mark 16:6). The women flee from the tomb, trembling and bewildered.

3. Luke 24:1-12: Luke recounts that a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, discover the empty tomb. Two men in dazzling apparel appear and remind them of Jesus' prophecy about His resurrection. The women report these events to the apostles, but their words seem like nonsense to them, except for Peter, who runs to the tomb and sees the linen cloths by themselves.

4. John 20:1-18: John's Gospel focuses on Mary Magdalene, who finds the stone removed and runs to inform Peter and the beloved disciple. They both run to the tomb, with the beloved disciple arriving first but Peter entering first. They see the linen cloths and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, folded up separately. Mary remains outside weeping, encounters two angels, and then sees Jesus, whom she initially mistakes for the gardener. Jesus reveals Himself to her, and she announces to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:18).

Theological Significance

The resurrection is pivotal in Christian theology for several reasons:

· Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecies and His own predictions about His death and resurrection (e.g., Psalm 16:10; Matthew 16:21).

· Victory Over Death: The resurrection signifies Jesus' victory over death, offering believers the hope of their own resurrection and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).

· Validation of Jesus' Divinity: The resurrection serves as divine confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God (Romans 1:4).

· Foundation for Christian Preaching: The apostles' preaching in the Book of Acts centers on the resurrection, emphasizing its importance in the proclamation of the Gospel (Acts 2:32; Acts 4:33).

Post-Resurrection Appearances

After His resurrection, Jesus appears to His disciples and others on multiple occasions:

· To Mary Magdalene: As noted in John 20:11-18, Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, commissioning her to tell the disciples of His resurrection.

· To the Disciples: Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room, offering them peace and showing them His wounds (John 20:19-20).

· To Thomas: A week later, Jesus appears again to the disciples, addressing Thomas' doubts by inviting him to touch His wounds (John 20:26-29).

· To the Disciples in Galilee: Jesus meets the disciples by the Sea of Galilee, where He reinstates Peter and gives the Great Commission (John 21; Matthew 28:16-20).

· To Over 500 People: Paul notes that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at one time, providing a substantial witness to His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6).

Conclusion

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a transformative event that continues to inspire and shape the faith and practice of Christians worldwide. It is celebrated annually on Easter Sunday, serving as a reminder of the hope and new life found in Christ.Luke 24:1-12
Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Nave's Topical Index

Matt. xxvii. 45-48.
... to appear alive, which was a sign of the future resurrection. ... the grace and love
towards man of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom ... ii., Notes on Select Readings.--R ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxviii matt xxvii 45-48.htm

In How Many Ways "Throughwhom" is Used; and in what Sense "With ...
Basil: Letters and Select Works. ... He raises from their fall: for this reason He is
Resurrection. ... difficult to render alike from the variety of readings and the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter viii in how many.htm

Some Hymns of Great Witnesses.
... "The Day of Resurrection" is sung ... In some readings the original "in favilla" is changed
to "cum favilla ... It is reprinted in Peloubet's Select Songs, and in the ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ii some hymns of.htm

The Service Common to Two or Many Hierarchs.
... of the Lord, men wished for, select vessels, pillars ... the Polyeleon, say the Theotokion
of the resurrection: Who would ... The Readings for hierarchs (see Appendix ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xi the service common.htm

The General Service to Saints Andrew of Constantinople, Isidore of ...
... The Readings of the monks (see Appendix.). ... If there be Celebration, say the Theotokion
of the resurrection. ... Having learned thee to be a fair, select and all ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvii the general service.htm

Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ...
... or singular in me that I select from the New ... As it is, false readings are sometimes
corrected by ... was to come immediately after the resurrection and ascension ...
/.../faustus fails to understand why.htm

On the Soul and the Resurrection.
... those evil spirits [1816] shall rise in harmony the confession of Christ's Lordship. ...
of the dissolved body which will properly be, and be called, resurrection. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on the soul and the 2.htm

John 0. 297222222 "To Whom?"
... so forth, may satisfy a select few for ... stale objections of various readings, doubtful
authorship ... the incarnation, the atonement, the resurrection, the ascension ...
/.../chapter xi john 0 297222222 to.htm

The General Service to a Hiero-Confessor or Monk-Confessor.
... harmonist of piety, abode of purity, select receptacle, the ... Prokeimenon of the day
...The readings of the ... the Theotokion of the resurrection: O Virgin unmarried ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxv the general service.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... and elsewhere, there is a variety of readings, but of ... coming at the last day of the
resurrection, in His ... the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, both God ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

What is more important, the death of Christ or His resurrection? | GotQuestions.org

Can the various resurrection accounts from the four Gospels be harmonized? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)? | GotQuestions.org

Resurrection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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