52. And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the Saints which had slept, arose,
53. And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the Holy city, and appeared unto many.
The Earthquake, the Veil, and the Open Graves
Scripture tells us that after Jesus gave up His Spirit, there was an earthquake so violent that rocks split, and the veil of the Temple—covering the Most Holy Place—was torn from top to bottom. In this act, God announced that all who believe Jesus is their Lord and Savior now have direct access to Him. There would no longer be a need for sacrifices or an earthly high priest, because Jesus—the unblemished lamb—became the sacrifice for all and our High Priest.
These events are recorded in all four Gospel accounts, but Matthew includes something the others don’t—the resurrection of the saints. Matthew 27:52 tells us, “And the graves were opened, and many of the bodies of the Saints which had slept, arose.”
Revealing the Overlooked Moments Surrounding Christ’s Resurrection
Some discredit this “early resurrection” of the saints by pointing to 1 Corinthians 15:20 which states, “But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept.” But Matthew 27:52 is one of many instances where verse divisions interrupt the natural flow of the narrative. Verse 53 continues the thought: “And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.“
Matthew does not contradict Paul—he confirms that Christ rose first. Then as a sign of victory over death, and perhaps as a testimony of eternal life to the living and generations to come, the saints rose after Him.
Matthew is not the only Gospel writer who records a unique event that took place during the final hours of Jesus’ life. Mark writes about an event found nowhere else in Scripture—an event that took place at the time Jesus was arrested. In Mark 14:51-52 we read: “And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body, and the young man laid hold on Him. And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.”
Jewish custom at the time was to bury their dead naked, wrapped in a linen cloth. The only other New Testament reference to the dead being wrapped in a linen cloth is Jesus Himself (Matthew 27:59). When taking into account the timeline of events set forth in the other Gospels, a remarkable possibility emerges. When Jesus spoke the words “I Am”—declaring Himself to be God in the flesh—the power of that declaration knocked the Roman soldiers off their feet. It is entirely possible that the grave of the young Hebrew boy was opened and sparked life into him.
This was likely not a resurrection like the saints in Matthew 27, but rather the same life giving power that Jesus used to bring Lazarus back to life. The power that was unleashed after Jesus’ declaration “I Am”, may have been strong enough to touch the nearby tomb of the young man. If so, like Lazarus, he would experience physical death again in the future—for this would be a temporary restoration of life, not the eternal resurrection where death is no more.
Who Were the Resurrected Saints
But who were the saints that were resurrected after Jesus? To answer that, we have to remember that the writers of Scripture were addressing an audience of their time. Their readers would have had a different understanding of who “the saints” referred to—an understanding we don’t have because we are separated by centuries. Many of the witnesses may have been some of the “above 500 brethren at once” whom Paul wrote that Jesus appeared to in 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Just as today, when we talk to or text someone we know, there are details we don’t bother mentioning because the person receiving our words will fully understand the context. The biblical writers did the same—this was normal then, just as it is now. Their audience lived in the same culture, read the same scrolls (what we call the Old Testament), and shared the same terminology. This shared understanding prevented the writers’ need to spell out every detail that the readers would naturally fill in. Details that we sometimes struggle with by being separated by centuries.
The Greek term for “saints” used in Matthew 27:52 is “Ayíoi.” Since the New Testament was written in Greek, looking at the original wording often gives us a better understanding of the writer’s intentions. In this case, the Greek term “hagioi” translated as “holy ones” perhaps gives us a better understanding of what Matthew meant, because “holy” is a word used often in the Old Testament to describe those set apart by God. Matthew’s audience would have immediately understood this language and recognized who he was referring to.
With our knowledge of the Old Testament, and those who were considered “holy”, we can begin to speculate about who these saints may have been—and there are many. Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob for starters. Moses and Noah. Then the twelve patriarchs, Jacob’s sons who went on to become the leaders of the 12 Tribes of Israel, including Joseph. We can also consider the judges God appointed, followed by some of the kings such as David and Solomon. There were the holy prophets God chose to be messengers. Job, who was set apart as a pillar of spiritual endurance in the face of Satan’s accusations. And women like Deborah, Esther, Ruth, and even Rahab—each chosen by God to play pivotal roles in Israels history.
There are also names in the New Testament that must be considered. Zechariah and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist who lived righteous and blameless lives, and were set apart by God. John himself, chosen to be the forerunner of Christ, and was filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. And Joseph, the earthly father who faithfully raised, protected and provided for Jesus, certainly stands with those Scripture describes as “saints” or “holy ones.”
It is not beyond the scope to also consider the martyrs in Revelation 6:10: “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, doest thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” When the fifth seal is opened, John sees “under the altar”, the souls of those that had been slain for the Word of God (Revelation 6:9). Here we see clear evidence that there are holy souls already in the presence of God, awaiting the day of judgment.
No Contradictions, Just Proof Upon Proof
Ultimately, we can only speculate about the identity of the saints resurrected after Jesus. Many names and details are omitted from Scripture. For some, simple curiosity—and for others, a need to prove to themselves or others—leads to debate and even doubt about the inspired Word of God. While these many names and details are not given, they have no effect on the legitimacy of the message they convey.
The Bible does not contradict or discredit itself. Instead, Scripture gives us proof upon proof—and hope on top of hope—when passages are compared to each other rather than judged in isolation, or for insignificant details they don’t have. The early resurrection of the holy ones stands as one more key testimony that God keeps His promises. It shows us that eternal life for all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is a promise that will surely be kept.
So when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, we are also celebrating our own resurrection to come—and the eternal life we will share with Him.
Scriptures to Keep Your Faith in God’s Promises and Life Eternal
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
Numbers 23:19
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
A Prayer of Thankfulness For the God Who Keeps His Promises
Father God in Heaven, You are an awesome God that never fails. Every promise You keep, and every judgment You make is righteous. You promised that if I give my whole heart to You and believe Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, You would forgive all my sins and make me a new creation. You have changed my life in ways I never could. Old things have passed away and made room for the new. Although I still stumble and have fear at times, You strengthen my steps and give me courage. You protect me from threats seen and even evil unseen. My heart is rooted in thankfulness for the promise and gift of eternal life in Your Kingdom of Heaven. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Trinitarian Benediction
May your heart stay with the only living God that keeps all His promises.
May your thoughts remain with Christ Jesus and His love for you.
And may the Holy Spirit keep every hope of every promise alive in your heart.