Common Questions About the Resurrection

How long was Jesus in the tomb?

Matthew 16:21; 28:6; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:33; John 19:38–42; 20:1; 1 Corinthians 15:4

Three days — This follows the Jewish custom of counting partial days as whole days: Jesus was buried on Friday before sunset (day 1), remained in the tomb Saturday (day 2), and rose on Sunday morning (day 3). Along with perfectly fulfilling Jesus’ multiple predictions that He would rise on the third day, this timing pulled together significant themes from prominent “third day” events in the Old Testament. These include God bringing forth new life (Genesis 1:11-13), establishing a covenant with His people (Exodus 19:11–16), displaying His radical grace to both Jonah and the non-Jewish people of Nineveh (Jonah 1:17), and bringing about His ultimate restoration (Hosea 6:2). No wonder the Gospels mention the theme of Jesus being buried for “three days” 21 times!

Who were the first witnesses of the resurrection?
Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome discovered the empty tomb early Sunday morning. This detail adds historical credibility since women’s testimony wasn’t valued in first-century Jewish society. If fabricated, male disciples would likely have been listed as the first witnesses.

Who else saw the risen Jesus?

1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 1:3; Luke 24:13-49; John 21:1-14

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to many individuals and groups: Peter, the disciples (on multiple occasions), two followers on the road to Emmaus, over 500 people at once, James (His brother who previously opposed His ministry), and later the apostle Paul when he was on his way to persecute the church. These encounters transformed those who were fearful and skeptical into bold believers. In AD 55, Paul writes that most of these 500 witnesses were still alive, inviting people to verify the claims for themselves.

Was Jesus raised in physical form or spiritual form?

Matthew 28:9-10; Mark 16:12-14; Luke 24:13-43; John 20:19-29 

The Gospel accounts clearly describe Jesus’ resurrection as physical while also indicating His body had new properties. Jesus invited Thomas to touch His wounds, ate fish with His disciples, and showed He was not merely a spirit. However, He could also appear and disappear at will and enter locked rooms. This suggests a transformed physical body rather than either a purely spiritual manifestation or a simple resuscitation. 

Was the tomb really empty?

Matthew 27:57-66, 28:11-15; John 20:3-9; Acts 2:29-32

Yes! In fact, Jewish authorities never disputed the empty tomb. Rather, they sought to explain it away by claiming the disciples stole the body. The tomb’s location was well-known, belonging to Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the council which had just condemned Jesus to death. If Jesus’ body remained there, opponents could have easily disproven their resurrection claims by producing it. Instead, it was out of this very city that the early church grew rapidly.

Why should we trust the disciples’ testimony about the resurrection? 

Acts 9:1-19; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; John 20:19-31

The disciples’ actions provide compelling evidence beyond their mere claims. These same followers who had denied Jesus and fled in fear during His crucifixion emerged weeks later boldly proclaiming His resurrection—despite facing imprisonment and death. The conversion of skeptics strengthens their testimony: Paul went from fierce persecutor to devoted apostle, and Jesus’ doubting brother James became a church leader. Most convincingly, they preached these claims in Jerusalem where any false testimony could be easily investigated and discredited.

What do historians say about the resurrection of Jesus?
Acts 26:26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
Historians generally agree on several key facts surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. Here are the main four: 1) Jesus died by crucifixion; 2) His tomb was found empty; 3) His followers claimed to have seen Him alive; and 4) these experiences transformed their lives. Even skeptical scholars who deny miracles acknowledge these basic facts. While skeptics have tried to offer alternative theories to make sense of these facts, none have survived their own scrutiny. The only viable explanation is that Jesus truly rose from the dead.  

Could Jesus have merely fainted on the cross?

John 19:31-37; Matthew 27:62-66

No. Roman soldiers were execution experts, and crucifixion allowed for easy verification of death since those hanging on a cross had to pull themselves up to breathe. When Jesus was no longer pulling up to breathe, they knew He was dead. Rather than breaking His legs to speed up the dying process (the standard practice), they confirmed His death by piercing His side. The blood and water that flowed out provided medical evidence of death. Furthermore, even if Jesus had somehow survived, in His wounded state He would not have been able to roll away the heavy tomb stone, overcome armed guards, walk on pierced feet, and then convince His disciples He had not just survived but was the risen Lord of life.

Could the appearances have been hallucinations? 

1 Corinthians 15:5-8; Luke 24:36-43; Acts 9:1-19 

Hallucinations can’t explain Jesus’ resurrection appearances. Over 500 people saw Jesus at once, yet hallucinations are individual experiences that can’t be shared by groups. His appearances involved physical interactions—eating, showing wounds, being touched. Even opponents like Paul and Jesus’ brother James encountered the risen Christ and were radically transformed. Moreover, hallucinations can’t explain other historical facts like the empty tomb.

Is the resurrection merely a legend?

1 Corinthians 15:3-7; Acts 2:22-41

No. Legends take centuries to form—the resurrection was proclaimed immediately. Even critical scholars admit this, noting how the creed which Paul references in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 was written no more than five years after Jesus’ death, some suggesting just months. Furthermore, the apostles preached the resurrection in Jerusalem where false claims could be checked. The resurrection account was too immediate in time and location for it to have developed as a legend.

What if the disciples stole Jesus’ body? 

Matthew 27:62-66; Acts 4:1-22; John 20:19 

This common objection fails to explain the historical evidence. Roman guards protected the tomb, and breaking the official seal meant death. The disciples, hiding in fear after Jesus’ crucifixion, had neither the courage to confront armed guards nor reason to die for a lie. Additionally, this theory can’t explain other key facts such as the transformation of skeptics like Paul and James.

Was Jesus’ resurrection borrowed from other religions?
2 Peter 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Acts 2:22-32; 26:26
No. Ancient myths of dying-and-rising gods (like Osiris or Adonis) which predate Christianity are categorically different from Jesus’ resurrection. These myths were symbolic stories about nature’s cycles. In contrast, Jesus’ resurrection involved a real person being raised bodily, once and for all, from the dead. It occurred at a specific time and place under Pontius Pilate’s rule, with living eyewitnesses pointing to concrete evidence. Furthermore, it wasn’t until after Christianity spread that mystery religions (like Mithraism) and retellings of ancient myths (such as by Plutarch) began to parallel Jesus’ resurrection more closely. The apostles preached Jesus’ resurrection as the fulfillment of Jewish Scripture, which strongly rejected pagan ideas.

Why is the resurrection central to Christianity? 

Romans 1:4; 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:14-19; Colossians 2:15 

The resurrection validates Jesus’ divine identity and proves His sacrifice for sin was accepted by God. It marks His victory over death, breaks the power of evil, and launches God’s new creation. Without it, our faith would be worthless, and we’d still be in our sins. Through the resurrection, believers are united with Christ, sharing in His righteousness and victory. It provides the unshakable foundation for both our forgiveness and future hope. 

What difference can the resurrection make in my life today?

Romans 6:4-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:1-4 

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, every aspect of our lives is transformed. In Christ, we receive a new identity—no longer slaves to sin and shame but embraced as beloved children of God. And because the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now lives within us, we have power to live boldly and break free from the sin that once held us. Even in our darkest moments, we have a living hope, knowing our deepest pain is temporary and glorious restoration is certain. Our daily choices gain eternal significance, filled with unshakable joy that flows not from changing circumstances but from God’s faithful promises in Christ.