The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian faith, a pivotal event that was not only witnessed by His disciples but also foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament. This prophetic anticipation underscores the divine plan and continuity of God's redemptive work throughout history.

Prophetic Foundations

The Old Testament contains several passages that Christians interpret as foretelling the resurrection of the Messiah. These prophecies, while often veiled in poetic and symbolic language, are seen as clear indicators of God's plan to raise His Anointed One from the dead.

Psalm 16:10

One of the most cited prophetic references to the resurrection is found in Psalm 16:10: "For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay." . This verse, attributed to King David, is interpreted as a messianic prophecy, suggesting that the Holy One, the Messiah, would not be left in the realm of the dead nor experience the corruption of the grave. The Apostle Peter, in his sermon at Pentecost, explicitly connects this psalm to Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2:25-31).

Isaiah 53:10-11

Isaiah 53, often referred to as the "Suffering Servant" passage, is another significant text. Verse 10 states, "Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the LORD makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in His hand." . The phrase "prolong His days" is interpreted as an indication of life beyond death, suggesting resurrection. Verse 11 continues, "After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied." , further implying a return to life after suffering.

Hosea 6:2

Hosea 6:2 offers a more general prophetic pattern that some see as a foreshadowing of resurrection: "After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence." . While this passage primarily addresses Israel's restoration, its language of revival and being raised on the third day resonates with the resurrection narrative of Christ.

Jonah as a Typology

The account of Jonah, who spent three days and nights in the belly of a great fish, is seen as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's resurrection. Jesus Himself draws this parallel in Matthew 12:40, stating, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." . This typology highlights the prophetic nature of Old Testament narratives that prefigure New Testament fulfillment.

Daniel 12:2

While not directly about the Messiah, Daniel 12:2 speaks of a future resurrection: "And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt." . This vision of resurrection provides a broader eschatological context within which the resurrection of Christ is understood as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Conclusion

The prophetic foretelling of Christ's resurrection is woven throughout the Old Testament, providing a foundation for the New Testament's proclamation of this miraculous event. These prophecies affirm the continuity of God's salvific plan and the fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ.Psalm 16:10
For you will not leave my soul in hell; neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:34,35
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Prophets Bore Witness to Christ and Foretold Many Things ...
... as superfluous that He should have been foretold by the ... by the prophetic writings
to the admiration of Christ. ... passion brought to a close by His resurrection. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/28 the prophets bore witness.htm

Christ's Resurrection is Foretold in the Conclusion of the Psalm.
... Chapter CVI."Christ's resurrection is foretold in the ... that He must suffer these things,
and that they were announced beforehand by the prophets), and when ...
/.../chapter cvi christs resurrection is foretold.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... in the fiftieth day after His resurrection, Christ sent His ... history of the world
during which Christ has never ceased to be preached,"in five foretold by the ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

Conclusions Jesus as the Christ of the Creator Proved from the ...
... set forth Jesus Christ as none other than the Christ of the ... 5186] affections, feelings,
miracles, sufferings, and even resurrection"as foretold by the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xliii conclusions jesus as the.htm

The Preservation of Our Bodies is Confirmed by the Resurrection ...
... is confirmed by the resurrection and ascension of Christ: the souls of ... we also to
await the time of our resurrection prescribed by God and foretold by the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxi the preservation of our.htm

Of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Sending of the Apostles ...
... Chap. XLVII."Of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Sending of ... [1546] But that
He would rise again on the third day, the prophets had long ago foretold. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xlvii of the resurrection of.htm

Of the Birth of Jesus from the virgin; of his Life, Death, and ...
... Daniel also foretold similar things: [610] "I saw," he said, "in a vision of the
night ... [615] But that Christ, after His passion and resurrection, was about ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the birth of.htm

The Relation of Christ to Prophecy, Continued.
... do not worship the sun, but the Lord's resurrection. ... our examples, and our prophecies,
which Christ came not ... to fulfill, by fulfilling what was thus foretold. ...
/.../the relation of christ to.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... be set forth,) proclaiming His Resurrection, His Ascension ... that the Apostles lied
concerning Christ, of Whom ... in such manner as the Prophets foretold afore that ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible ...
... seek their own glory instead of Christ's, in such ... the former class of things which
were foretold have come ... wicked from the righteous in the resurrection of the ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 27 of the prophecies of.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

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus