Graves Opened When Jesus Died on the Cross

Oscarr said:

I read an interesting take on that reference where when Jesus died on the cross, many graves were opened and folks were raised from the dead and went into the city and appeared to many. What the author said was that it was all the Old Testament saints rose in their glorified bodies and went up into Paradise when Jesus rose from the dead. It could provide an interesting answer to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, David, and John the Baptist and others who were faithful to the Lord going up into glory at the Resurrection. I wouldn't like to build a doctrine on it, but it is interesting, nevertheless, to explain who those people were who came out of the tombs and graves at that time.

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I think the believers were already in Heaven but God reunited them as he will us with our bodies at the resurrection on the last day.

I believe they were resuscitated for a time and then died later as with any of the other person’s recorded in scripture that were brought back to life. Much like Lazarus there is no biblical recordings of him or the others being assumed into paradise like in the case of Elijah.

Oscarr, I don't think you have really thought this through!

You list the following 7 famous names, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, David, but all the OT saints would include all the unnamed millions, all walking around Jerusalem and appearing to countless people great and small, and yet it remains completely unreported for between 30 and 70 years (depending which historian) until Matthew, an outcast cult follower mentions it in a letter. Nope, no way!

I also reject it being just the famous OT patriarchs who rose from their graves and appeared to many. If that had truly been the case, then again it would have stirred a huge amount of extra biblical record, and could not have been silenced by the priesthood and Pharisees.

In both cases it also presents further problems such as what happens to them afterwards? They have no known families, so can't return to the family farm or place of work, in the case of Joseph, ruling Egypt!
And if its claimed they were then taken up to heaven like Elijah, whether its 7,000,000 or just the famous 7 saints, do you imagine it would go unreported in the history books?

The whole notion is filled with many problems when there is a far more simple explanation.
Remember the widow's son, and Lazarus? They were raised and presented back to their loved ones.
I believe those who rose from their graves at the crucifixion were simply those who were recently buried, who had loved ones still around and still in mourning.

The hierarchy of Israel had rejected their messiah at a national level, whereas the common people had accepted him.
This act of resurrection was simply an act of compassion for the common people who typically received him. Those raised from the dead would then take up their place in the family and live till they died again.

Oscarr said:

I read an interesting take on that reference where when Jesus died on the cross, many graves were opened and folks were raised from the dead and went into the city and appeared to many. What the author said was that it was all the Old Testament saints rose in their glorified bodies and went up into Paradise when Jesus rose from the dead. It could provide an interesting answer to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, David, and John the Baptist and others who were faithful to the Lord going up into glory at the Resurrection. I wouldn't like to build a doctrine on it, but it is interesting, nevertheless, to explain who those people were who came out of the tombs and graves at that time.

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Eph 4 "he took a host of captives" with Him to heaven - the captives of death - freed by Christ.

But He did not take all the OT saints with him -- only a few in that area because it says they went into the city and appeared to many in Matthew 17.

And then we have Acts 2
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and 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 concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

No one had entered heaven before Jesus died at Calvary:
No one has ever entered heaven except the one who came from Heaven, the son of man John3:13

It is best not to take the words concerning Elijah literally, as that would contradict the words of Christ. There is more than one heaven according to Paul, for he said he went to the third heaven

Oscarr said:

I read an interesting take on that reference where when Jesus died on the cross, many graves were opened and folks were raised from the dead and went into the city and appeared to many. What the author said was that it was all the Old Testament saints rose in their glorified bodies and went up into Paradise when Jesus rose from the dead. It could provide an interesting answer to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, David, and John the Baptist and others who were faithful to the Lord going up into glory at the Resurrection. I wouldn't like to build a doctrine on it, but it is interesting, nevertheless, to explain who those people were who came out of the tombs and graves at that time.

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Yes, this is true, and there is nothing stated who they were. They were evidentially not recognizable (of someone known) to anyone. I believe this was very intentional because if recognizable others would have a tendency to exalt them rather than or in addition to Jesus. Being OT saints? No way of knowing, purely speculative. More importantly, what we do know, yes, there is life beyond our earthly grave through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

God Bless.

Dave L said:

I think the believers were already in Heaven but God reunited them as he will us with our bodies at the resurrection on the last day.

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"I think" -- the Bible says the graves (tombs) were opened.

Matthew 27

52 And the tombs (place where a dead body is placed) were opened, and many bodies of the saints having fallen asleep (in the grave) arose. 53 And having gone forth out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

and affirms this:

1 Thessalonians 4

The Return of the Lord

13Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

15By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

eleos1954 said:

"I think" -- the Bible says the graves (tombs) were opened.

Matthew 27

52 And the tombs (place where a dead body is placed) were opened, and many bodies of the saints having fallen asleep (in the grave) arose. 53 And having gone forth out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.

and affirms this:

1 Thessalonians 4

The Return of the Lord

13Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.

15By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

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“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23)

Francis Drake said:

I believe those who rose from their graves at the crucifixion were simply those who were recently buried, who had loved ones still around and still in mourning.

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Interesting I had never heard this interpretation before and I like it.

I interpret this passage as a rabbinical style embellishment, meant to emphasize the theological significance of Jesus' resurrection. It does not appear in the other Gospels. Matthew's Gospel has alot of this Jewish-style storytelling.

It's sort of like when George Lucas goes back and re-edits Star Wars. It doesn't really change what happens but it makes the explosions and sound cooler.

BobRyan said:

Eph 4 "he took a host of captives" with Him to heaven - the captives of death - freed by Christ.

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Actually, this has to do with the Greco-Roman practice of taking conquered prisoners back to a city to show them off, and quite possibly kill them or enslave them. So Paul is saying that Christ conquered death and hades, but he not only conquered them but made a spectacle out of them (St. John Chrysostom's famous paschal homily would later echo this in theme, "it [hell] was embittered because it was mocked"). It's not specifically talking about what happens to the dead, but it's a commentary on the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Dave L said:

“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23)

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"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."

Yes, we all have a desire to be with Him, and yes it would be, and will be far better.

Psalm 90:3-6

You turn man back into dust And say, "Return, O children of men." For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

Job 7:21

"Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me, but I will not be."

Job 14:10-12

"But man dies and lies prostrate Man expires, and where is he? "As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up, So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep.

Psalm 13:3

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

Daniel 12:2

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Matthew 9:24

He said, "Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him.

Mark 5:39

And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep."

Luke 8:52-53

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.

1 Kings 2:10

Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

Deuteronomy 31:16

The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.

2 Samuel 7:12

"When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Kings 11:43

And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David, and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.

1 Kings 14:20

The time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years; and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 16:6

And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place.

1 Kings 22:50

And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 14:16

So Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 15:7

And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 16:20

So Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.

2 Kings 20:21

So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 21:18

And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son became king in his place.

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."


John 11:11-14

This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.

Acts 7:60

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:6

After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;

John 5:28-29

"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

Job 14:13-15

"Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me! "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes. "You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

Isaiah 26:19

Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.


Luke 16:22-23

"Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.

1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Jeremiah 51:57

"I will make her princes and her wise men drunk, Her governors, her prefects and her mighty men, That they may sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake up," Declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.


Psalm 7:3-5

O LORD my God, if I have done this, If there is injustice in my hands, If I have rewarded evil to my friend, Or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary, Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

Psalm 76:5

The stouthearted were plundered, They sank into sleep; And none of the warriors could use his hands.

Jeremiah 51:39

"When they become heated up, I will serve them their banquet And make them drunk, that they may become jubilant And may sleep a perpetual sleep And not wake up," declares the LORD.

eleos1954 said:

"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better."

Yes, we all have a desire to be with Him, and yes it would be, and will be far better.

Psalm 90:3-6

You turn man back into dust And say, "Return, O children of men." For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night. You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep; In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.

Job 7:21

"Why then do You not pardon my transgression And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust; And You will seek me, but I will not be."

Job 14:10-12

"But man dies and lies prostrate Man expires, and where is he? "As water evaporates from the sea, And a river becomes parched and dried up, So man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no longer, He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep.

Psalm 13:3

Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

Daniel 12:2

"Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Matthew 9:24

He said, "Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him.

Mark 5:39

And entering in, He said to them, "Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep."

Luke 8:52-53

Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.

1 Kings 2:10

Then David slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David.

Deuteronomy 31:16

The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them.

2 Samuel 7:12

"When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

1 Kings 11:43

And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David, and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.

1 Kings 14:20

The time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years; and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 16:6

And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place.

1 Kings 22:50

And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of his father David, and Jehoram his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 14:16

So Jehoash slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel; and Jeroboam his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 15:7

And Azariah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Jotham his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 16:20

So Ahaz slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his son Hezekiah reigned in his place.

2 Kings 20:21

So Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son became king in his place.

2 Kings 21:18

And Manasseh slept with his fathers and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza, and Amon his son became king in his place.

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."


John 11:11-14

This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, so that I may awaken him out of sleep." The disciples then said to Him, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover." Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep.

Acts 7:60

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" Having said this, he fell asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:6

After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;

John 5:28-29

"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

Job 14:13-15

"Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me! "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait Until my change comes. "You will call, and I will answer You; You will long for the work of Your hands.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

Isaiah 26:19

Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.


Luke 16:22-23

"Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.

1 Corinthians 15:20

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

Jeremiah 51:57

"I will make her princes and her wise men drunk, Her governors, her prefects and her mighty men, That they may sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake up," Declares the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.


Psalm 7:3-5

O LORD my God, if I have done this, If there is injustice in my hands, If I have rewarded evil to my friend, Or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary, Let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; And let him trample my life down to the ground And lay my glory in the dust. Selah.

Psalm 76:5

The stouthearted were plundered, They sank into sleep; And none of the warriors could use his hands.

Jeremiah 51:39

"When they become heated up, I will serve them their banquet And make them drunk, that they may become jubilant And may sleep a perpetual sleep And not wake up," declares the LORD.

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You cannot be saved by faith and on your way to heaven while digging up "proof texts" to undermine your faith, thinking you are not.