Resurrection
For Christians, the resurrectionThe Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion. The rising from the dead of believers on the Last Day in a new, or risen, life. is the belief that Jesus came back to life three days after he died on the cross. The gospelThe teachings of Jesus and the apostles. of Matthew (28:1–10) includes a detailed account of how Jesus’ followers discovered that he had been resurrected:
- Mary MagdaleneOne of the female followers of Jesus who were the first to meet him after his resurrection. and Mary, Jesus’ mother, go to Jesus’ tomb on the Sunday after the crucifixionRoman method of execution by nailing someone to a cross, often until they die of asphyxiation; used on Jesus and many others..
- An angel appears like lightning and rolls away the stone covering the entrance to the tomb, causing an earthquake. The guards at the tomb are so afraid that they shake and become
like dead men.
- The angel speaks to the women, telling them that Jesus is not there, that he has risen from the dead and that he is on his way to GalileeRegion of Israel..
- The women rush away to tell Jesus’ disciples.
- Jesus greets them on the way. The women clutch his feet and worship him. He tells them not to be afraid and tells his followers to go to Galilee to see him there.
Belief in the resurrection is central to Christianity. It shows that Jesus defeated death, and it is considered by many Christians to be proof of life after death. Many Christians also think of Jesus’ resurrection as evidence of God’s omnipotentAll-powerful. and omnibenevolentThe belief that God is all loving. nature.
In his letters to the Corinthians, St Paul aims to convince people of Jesus’ resurrection and emphasises how important this belief is. He explains that he himself saw Jesus after his resurrection, and he also tells how Jesus appeared to the apostleOne who was sent out by Jesus to preach the gospel or 'good news'. and over 500 other people (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).
