Are You Surprised About This?

[Genevanpreacher]

I was quite surprised the first time I preached on 'things Christians don't pay attention to', and used this section of scripture -

 

Matthew 27:51-53 -  

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

Isn't this just a neat section of verses?

 

Are you surprised?

Ever discussed it?

 

I was surprised how many people didn't know this was in the bible.

[Jim_Alaska]

Yes, it s neat GP, but I have to say I am not surpised. I have taught from this Scripture. My focus was on the veil being rent from top to bottom, signifying that God did it and now the way was opened for man to have direct access to God without a human priest to intervene for us.

 

I have never actually taught about the graves being opened and the bodies of the saints going into the city to be seen of many.

 

I guess its just that old thing of, " so many scriptures and so little time!"

[Genevanpreacher]

I kinda wonder...why they arose?

Any ideas? I have never read any commentaries on this section, yes the veil part, but not the resurrection of some OBviously important people.

[OLD fashioned preacher]

Note: They arose at the crucifixion, they went forth after the resurrection.

 

During the insuring 3 day interval there are apparently standing there (how many we know not).

 

Picture this, "Whoa, you ain't gonna believe this! Remember last month when we buried Grandpa? Well, he's standing in the mouth of his tomb. Don't believe me, come on and I'll show ya!"

 

Now think about the hard hearts that didn't believe Jesus rose again after these unnamed, unnumbered folks are standing 3 days in the grave and then go into town as visible, tangible proof of a resurrection (hey Sadducee, lookie here!!)

 

OBviously I've hit it while teaching or preaching.

[Genevanpreacher]

I wonder what ever happened to them?

Any ideas?

 

I know the scriptures have not OBviously opened to me anything about it, [getting somewhat old],

just wanted to know if any of you all have come across anything that might explain this 'arising'.

 

Is it some fulfillment somewhere that I can't seem to remember?

[John81]

What has surprised me over the years is the great variety of differing explanations of this passage (the dead rising portion) along with the total avoidance of that portion by many.

[Genevanpreacher]

What has surprised me over the years is the great variety of differing explanations of this passage (the dead rising portion) along with the total avoidance of that portion by many.

 

Want to share some thoughts on what they explained?

I'm curious.

I have been a child of God since January 1987, and I can't remember ever hearing a sermon on the 'rising' in these verses.

And I have heard a real 'basketful' of sermons.

[John81]

I don't know that I've ever heard a sermon specifically upon the dead rising portion, but I've heard it touched upon in sermons and some writings.

 

No way I recall all of them, but I know some virtually dismissed it as if it didn't really happen or perhaps actually meant something else. Some decided this is referring to some future event. Some said these people likely went about witnessing after they rose. Some speculated these who rose went on to live for some time and then died again while others speculated they were raptured when Jesus went to heaven.

[Genevanpreacher]

Intrestin'.

[John81]

Intrestin'.

Especially how all over the map they are on this one point; and that doesn't even touch upon all those who choose to ignore the verse so they don't even have to try and figure out what it means.

[DaveW]

In fact, the punctuation indicates that the graves were opened at his death but they did not rise and go into the Holy city until the resurrection.
And that makes sense with the other passages. Christ is the firstfruits......

But yes, think about the graves being opened miraculously - then people that were known to be dead and buried walked into town......
Would cause a bit of a fuss......

[Genevanpreacher]

Do you have a 'thought' on what the importance is in telling this verse to us?

[DaveW]

Do you have a 'thought' on what the importance is in telling this verse to us?

It is another proof of the deity of Christ, but apart from the very simple facts given there is no explanation.
We are not even told if they were in glorified bodies or somehow otherwise reconstituted natural bodies (or even corrupted natural bodies - ewwwww!)

I have heard people speculate but that can be dangerous.
Is this part of Eph 4:8,9?
It is possible but by no means certain.

[Rebecca]

I've heard several messages about the veil in the temple being torn in half from top to bottom, but I've only heard maybe one or two messages on the second half with the people rising from the graves. It's been so long so I don't remember what the preacher(s) focus was on why they rose from the graves, what happened after, etc. It's not something I've ever studied out, so I'd prOBably be wrong if I started guessing the reasons why. However, I kinda think it was to prove the power of God, emphasizing the importance of the death and resurrection of Christ. No one there would ever forget that day, or the days and months that followed. The centurion and others there watching Jesus  certainly couldn't forget, those events opened their eyes and they believed. 

[Salyan]

I love the part about the veil ripping in twain from top to bottom - God opening the way to Himself by the death of Christ! What a thrill!

I've never heard anything on the graves being opened and people rising, although I've wondered myself what happened to them after. "It is appointed unto man once to die" - maybe they did get raptured after.