The Resurrection of Jesus – 37 Verses, 19 Sources, and 7 Prophecies

The Resurrection of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus is a central Christian belief that claims God brought Jesus Christ back to life three days after the Romans executed him on the cross. The Resurrection is an essential belief in Christianity that all denominations acknowledge.

Content

  1. Verses from the New Testament
  2. The Church Fathers
  3. Early Christian Creeds
  4. Non-Christian Sources
  5. Sources

This index aims to give people easy access to accurate and helpful information about the resurrection of Jesus. If you have a verse, book, or source recommendation, please send it to LFC through the contact page or the comments section below.

1. The Resurrection of Jesus In The New Testament

Like the Gospels, the rest of the New Testament is full of references to the Resurrection. These statements of faith give us insight into the views and theological beliefs the first Christians held. In some cases, the words contained within the letter even predate the Gospels, making them valuable goldmines of information.

Romans

Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Church in Rome. Many believe it was written while he was in Corinth around the year 57 CE.

Romans 1:3-5– concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake; 

Romans 4:24 – but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,

Romans 6:3-11 – Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection;

 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over him! 10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7:4 – Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might produce fruit to God.

Romans 8:11– But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 10:9-10 – that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.

1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians is the first of two letters Paul the apostle sent to the Church in Corinth. The letter was written between 53 and 54 CE while Paul was in Ephesus.

1 Corinthians 6:14 – Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:12-19 – 12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

1 Corinthians 15:20-21 –  But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep. 21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 

2 Corinthians

Paul’s second letter the the Church in Corinth was written in 55 CE, a year or so after the first. At the time Paul was traveling around Macedonia.

 2 Corinthians 4:14 – knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you.

Galatians

The letter to the Galatians is another work of the Apostle Paul’s, who likely wrote it while he was Ephesus between the years 53 and 54. 

Galatians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle—not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead

Ephesians

The letter to the Ephesians was written by Paul some time around 60-63 CE. Paul wrote this letter during his time as a prisoner in Rome.

(Although Christian tradition has long attributed the letter to Paul, some suggest it could have been written by one of his disciples, which would push to date back to somewhere between 70 and 90 CE.)

Ephesians 1:19-21 – and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, authority, power, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.

Philippians

The letter to the Philippians is another one of Paul’s prison letters. The apostle penned the text while he was in Roman chains sometime around 62 CE.

Philippians 3:10 – that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death, 

Colossians

Colossians is one of the letters written by Paul. This particular letter was written to the Colossian church in Asia Minor. Its generally assumed that the imprisonment he talks about in the letter is the one he served in Rome.

“My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.”

Col. 4:10

“So that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

Col. 4:3

Consequently, the letter tends to be dated to around 62 CE.

Colossians 2:11-12 –  In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians is widely considered to be the oldest letter in the New Testament. Written during Paul’s second missionary journey the letter dates to between the years 49-51 CE. It is was likely written during Paul’s stay in Corinth.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 – and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.”

2 Timothy

This is the second letter Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy, who is traditionally believed to be the first Bishop of Ephesian Church. Dates for this letter very dramatically, those who support Pauline authorship date the letter to somewhere between 64 and 67 CE. However, many scholars have argued for date as late as 140 CE.

2 Timothy 2: 8-9 –Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the offspring of David, according to my Good News, 9 in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. 

1 Peter

1 Peter is a letter written by the apostle to the Christians scattered throughout the provinces of “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.” (1 Peter 1:1) The letter itself provides little to no information about when it was written; however, the years 60-64 CE are generally thought to be good estimates.

1 Peter 1:3-4- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you.

1 Peter 1:18-21 – knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ, 20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake, 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Peter 3:21– This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 

Acts

The book of acts is the second work in Luke’s two volume set. The book documents the early history of the church, including the conversion of the apostle Paul. Estimates for its creation range from 65 to 90 CE.

Acts 1:21-22 – 21 “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Acts 2:23-24 – him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 

Acts 2:29-31 -“Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades, and his flesh didn’t see decay. 

Acts 3:14-15 – But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses. 

Acts 4:1-2 – As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, 2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 

Acts 4:8-10 – Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.

Acts 4:33 – With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 

Acts 5:29-30 –  But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 

Acts 10:39-40 – We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, 

Acts 13:29-37 – When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. 32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father. (Psalms 2:7),34 “Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ (Isaiah 55:3) 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’ (Psalm 16:10) 36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But he whom God raised up saw no decay. 

Acts 17: 16-18 – Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him. 18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 17: 32 – Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”

2. The Church Fathers

The Church fathers are another important source for the resurrection. Several of them were personally mentored by apostles, and their writings, in general, are known for an abundance of New Testament quotations.

Polycarp to the Philippians

Polycarp was one of the Apostolic Fathers who lived between 69 and 155 CE. According to Irenaeus [3] and Tertullian [4], Polycarp was a personal disciple of John the Apostle. After his time with John, Polycarp became the bishop of Smyrna. As one of the churches in Asia Minor, the Philippians were under his care.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, who endured to face even death for our sins, whom God raised, having loosed the pangs of Hades.”

Polycarp to the Philippians 1:2

 “for that ye have believed on Him that raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead and gave unto him glory.” 

Polycarp to the Philippians 2:1

1 Clement

Clement was born in the year 35 CE, he was a disciple of Paul (Philippians 4:3) and later became the Bishop of Rome. Clement lead the church for many years before his death in 99 CE. Evidence of his leadership can be seen in his letter 1 Clement, which was written to the Church in Corinth.

“Having therefore received a charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Clement 42:3

“Let us understand, dearly beloved, how the Master continually showeth unto us the resurrection that shall be hereafter; whereof He made the Lord Jesus Christ the first-fruit, when He raised Him from the dead.”

1Clement 24:1

Justin Martyr

Justin Martyr was an early Christian philosopher and apologist who lived between 100 and 165 CE. He was a prolific writer who composed many defenses of Christianity and worked on Theology.

“Now no one of your people has ever been said to have reigned as God and Lord among the nations, with the exception of Him only who was crucified, of whom also the Holy Spirit affirms in the same Psalm that He was raised again, and freed from[the grave], declaring that there is none like Him among the gods of the nations: for they are idols of demons.”

Dialogue with Trypho

“And that God the Father of all would bring Christ to heaven after He had raised Him from the dead, and would keep Him there until He has subdued His enemies the devils, and until the number of those who are foreknown by Him as good and virtuous is complete.”

The First Apology of Justin

Irenaeus of Lyons

Irenaeus was the bishop of Lugdunum (Lyon), who is best known for his efforts to expand the church in France. Living between the years 130 – 202 CE, Irenaeus missed the foundation of Christianity. However, he proudly served as a member of the third/ fourth generation of church leaders.

“the Lord, [according to them, ] conversed with His disciples for eighteen months after His resurrection from the dead.”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 1

“Thus the apostles did not preach another God, or another Fulness; nor, that the Christ who suffered and rose again was one, while he who flew off on high was another, and remained impossible; but that there was one and the same God the Father, and Christ Jesus who rose from the dead; and they preached faith in Him, to those who did not believe on the Son of God, and exhorted them out of the prophets, that the Christ whom God promised to send, He sent in Jesus, whom they crucified and God raised up.”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 3

“Thus the apostles did not change God, but preached to the people that Christ was Jesus the crucified One, whom the same God that had sent the prophets, being God Himself, raised up, and gave in Him salvation to men.”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 3

“As also David says, prophesying His birth from a virgin, and the resurrection from the dead,”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 3

“The Apostle Peter, therefore, after the resurrection of the Lord, and His assumption into the heavens, being desirous of filling up the number of the twelve apostles, and in electing into the place of Judas any substitute who should be chosen by God, thus addressed those who were present”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 3

“As our Master, therefore, did not at once depart, taking flight [to heaven], but awaited the time of His resurrection prescribed by the Father, which had been also shown forth through Jonah, and rising again after three days was taken up [to heaven]; so ought we also to await the time of our resurrection prescribed by God and foretold by the prophets, and so, rising, be taken up, as many as the Lord shall account worthy of this [privilege].”

Irenaeus, Against Heresies Book 5

Tertullian

Tertullian is an early Christian writer from Carthage. Living between the years 155 – 220 CE Tertullian witnessed and commented on much of Christianity’s early Theological development.

“Then, when His body was taken down from the cross and placed in a sepulchre, the Jews in their eager watchfulness surrounded it with a large military guard, lest, as He had predicted His resurrection from the dead on the third day, His disciples might remove by stealth His body, and deceive even the incredulous. But, lo, on the third day there a was a sudden shock of earthquake, and the stone which sealed the sepulchre was rolled away, and the guard fled off in terror:”

Tertullian, Apology

“The Son of God was crucified; I am not ashamed because men must needs be ashamed of it. And the Son of God died; it is by all means to be believed, because it is absurd. And He was buried, and rose again; the fact is certain, because it is impossible.” 

Tertullian, On the Flesh of Christ

“The apostle indeed teaches, in his Epistle to the Colossians, that we were once dead, alienated, and enemies to the Lord in our minds, whilst we were living in wicked works; that we were then buried with Christ in baptism, and also raised again with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.”

Tertullian, On The Resurrection of The Flesh

3. Early Christian Creeds

In the ancient world reading was not something that everyone could do. Consequently, the Christians would pass on the teachings of scripture through creeds that Churches would recite on Sunday or during other meetings. These creeds have been preserved through the years through tradition and scripture itself.

1 Corinthians 15 Creed

Inside the New Testament, there are recordings of early Christian creedal statements. These statements of faith were recited by early Christians and quoted by the apostles in their letters. The 1 Corinthians 15 creed is ancient, dating back to within 6 months to 2 two years after the death of Jesus.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Luke 24:34

The creed quoted by Luke appears to be related to the creed Paul quotes in 1 Corinthians. [5]

Luke 24:34 – “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”

Romans 1:3-4

Romans 1:3-4 – concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

sourses

4. Non-Christian Sources For The Resurrection Of Jesus

Although there are quite a few ancient sources that mention Jesus of Nazareth, there is only one writer who mentions the resurrection tradition.

Flavius Josephus

The quote below comes from Flavius Josephus [7], a Jewish historian who lived between 37 and 100 CE.

“About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he … wrought surprising feats…. He was the Christ. When Pilate …condemned him to be crucified, those who had . . . come to love him did not give up their affection for him. On the third day he appeared … restored to life…. And the tribe of Christians … has … not disappeared.”

Testimonium Flavianum [3]

Although this is an exciting artifact, there is some debate over its authenticity. According to K. A. Olson [8], most scholars think the reference to Jesus is authentic to Josephus. However, it is suspected that latte Christians added theological elements to the text. Consequently, this reference to the Resurrection is historically tedious at best.

5. Prophesies

 Acts 2:23-28 – him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope; 27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. 28 You made known to me the ways of life.  You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ (Psalm 16:8-11)

John 2:18-21 – The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of his body. 

John 10:17-18 – Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”

Matthew 12:40 – For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 16:20-21 – Then he commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ. 21 From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

 Matthew 17:22-23 – While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.”

Matthew 20: 17-19 – As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death, 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, and to crucify; and the third day he will be raised up.”

6. Sources

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