AFF
Help me know the answer Fellowship Hall
www.apostolicfriendsforum.com
Hi Sister Janice Alvear,
Matthew 27:50-53 (AV)
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 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.
It is a superb question, I have no idea why some posters were giving you a hard time.
One question is whether this is related to:
Ephesians 4:8-10 (AV)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
It does not seem to be related to:
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (AV)
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
This gentleman (Aaron Ventura, pastor of Christ Covenant Church (CREC) in Centralia, WA.) has a solid page with a history of some of the commentary.
What Happened To The People Who Were Resurrected in Matthew 27:51-53? (2021)
Aaron Ventura
https://localchristendom.com/what-happened-to-the-people-who-were-resurrected-in-matthew-2751-53/
Aaron's conclusion (he is I believe in a preterist camp) is that they were resurrected.
"this was a physical resurrection of the body, and that these saints ascended into heaven with Jesus and are currently reigning with Him in that resurrected state."
These links with many ECW (early church writers) quotes can help:
Church Fathers Scripture Index - Matthew 27:52 and Matthew 27:53
https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/fathers/index.php/Matthew 27:52
https://www.catholiccrossreference.online/fathers/index.php/Matthew 27:53
Ignatius is interesting.
Note that Augustine specifically notes that the account is only in Matthew's Gospel:
57. Matthew proceeds thus: “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 the resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” There is no reason to fear that these facts, which have been related only by Matthew, may appear to be inconsistent with the narratives presented by any one of the rest.
And the Gospel of Nicodemus (aka The Acts of Pilate) dated to the 4th century, is very interesting, as it mentions Symeon.
Joseph says: And why do you wonder that Jesus has risen? But it is wonderful that He has not risen alone, but that He has also raised many others of the dead who have appeared in Jerusalem to many. And if you do not know the others, Symeon at least, who received Jesus, and his two sons whom He has raised up—them at least you know. For we buried them not long ago; but now their tombs are seen open and empty, and they are alive, and dwelling in Arimathæa. They therefore sent men, and they found their tombs open and empty. Joseph says: Let us go to Arimathæa and find them.
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My Pure Bible Forum pages on this are light but may be improved in the future.
Matthew 27:53 - And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
https://www.purebibleforum.com/inde...to-the-holy-city-and-appeared-unto-many.4000/
Matthew 27:51-53 - many bodies of the saints which slept arose - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - seen of above five hundred brethren at once
https://www.purebibleforum.com/inde...-of-above-five-hundred-brethren-at-once.3991/
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