Q: Matthew 27:52-53

[OpenDoor]

Matthew 27:52-53
The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Q1: were these people raised to life before or after Jesus' resurrection?
Q2: is raised to life the same as the resurrection, or are they two separate events?
Q3: if raised to life is the same as the resurrection and it happened before Jesus' resurrection, why were they waiting in the open tombs?

 

[crishmael]

This is a very interesting passage. So to give my understanding:

1) The passage seems to imply this happened during the earthquake that occurred when Jesus died. So it would be before Christ's resurrection.

2) If by resurrection you mean they came back to life from being dead, then it is a yes. However, the resurrection is usually used to describe the raising from the dead for eternal life. For example, Lazarus was raised from the dead, but eventually dies again. Christ was raised from the dead, never to die again. I would see them as being raised from the dead, rather than being resurrected.

3) I suppose they were waiting in tombs because they were dead. Normally you wouldn't catch anyone dead hiding in a tomb...

 

[OpenDoor]

This is a very interesting passage. So to give my understanding:

3) I suppose they were waiting in tombs because they were dead. Normally you wouldn't catch anyone dead hiding in a tomb...

this is what makes it interesting
were they alive or dead after Jesus' death?

It could mean that after Jesus' death they were spiritual raised to life (in heaven), but physical life happened after Jesus' resurrection.

 

[ebia]

Matthew 27:52-53
The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

Q1: were these people raised to life before or after Jesus' resurrection?
Q2: is raised to life the same as the resurrection, or are they two separate events?
Q3: if raised to life is the same as the resurrection and it happened before Jesus' resurrection, why were they waiting in the open tombs?

IMO Matthew is simply using apocalyptic language to make clear the significance of the event.

 

[ittarter]

IMO Matthew is simply using apocalyptic language to make clear the significance of the event.

Sort of a break in the Matthean habit of harboring apocalyptic themes within the genre of parable, no? Except maybe the birth narratives?

 

[ebia]

Sort of a break in the Matthean habit of harboring apocalyptic themes within the genre of parable, no? Except maybe the birth narratives?

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Matthew 24, say, if full of apocalyptic language.

Whatever you do with it, though, the passage in question is one of the strangest in the New Testament.

 

[ittarter]

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Matthew 24, say, is full of apocalyptic language.

Whatever you do with it, though, the passage in question is one of the strangest in the New Testament.

Sorry. I was thinking that maybe the "base narrative" -- exempting Jesus' long speeches such as his parables -- didn't have any other examples of apocalyptic "metaphors."

Absolutely it's strange. But with all the exorcisms and astrological signs, angels from heaven and divine visions, maybe it fit in better for a first century audience than it does for us now.

 

[ebia]

Ah, I see what you mean. Thanks.