Matthew 27:52 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

NIV: and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

NASB: Also the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

CSB: The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.

NLT: and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead.

KJV: And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

NKJV: and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Several dramatic events took place in the moments following Jesus' death (Matthew 27:50). The temple's massive, thick curtain was ripped in half from the top down—clearly an act of God (Matthew 27:51). There was an earthquake and rocks were split. Here, Matthew begins to add a detail about disrupted tombs and the bodies of saints who had died. Verses 52 and 53 are only vaguely understood and much debated among Bible scholars. Only Matthew adds this detail to his gospel.

In direct language, this verse indicates that the earthquake caused by Jesus' death breaks open some of the graves holding bodies of "saints." In this context, that would mean god-honoring people from Israel. We aren't given further details on who these people were. They may have been prophets, heroes or simply people notable for their goodness.

Reading this verse together with the next one, it is clarified that the tombs are opened at the time of Jesus' death. More remarkably, according to verse 53, these uncovered bodies were seen alive in the city of Jerusalem after Jesus rose from the dead. A relatively minor point of debate, here, is whether the saints were raised immediately, upon Jesus' death, only going into the city after His resurrection, or whether they were uncovered but did not live again until later.

These two verses are the subject of much greater controversy over the exact meaning—and literalness—of their content. Arguments have been offered that these verses are insertions into the original text. Others suggest this is a purely symbolic reference. Some say they are "not even" symbolic, and the statement is made purely in a poetic sense by Matthew. The most reasonable interpretation, challenging though it may be, is to read these as a straightforward and literal part of the narrative.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus' friends, watch from a distance.

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.