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Book of Matthew - Chapter 27 - Verse 52

27:52
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Meaning

During the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that there was a significant event where the graves were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had passed away were resurrected. This miraculous event is seen as a sign of the power and authority of Jesus, as it emphasizes his victory over death. The resurrection of these saints is believed to be a foreshadowing of Jesus' own resurrection and a demonstration of the eternal life that believers can hope for through faith in him. This event also serves as a confirmation of Jesus' role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the prophecies found in the Old Testament. Overall, this verse highlights the supernatural events that surrounded Jesus' crucifixion and points to the ultimate victory over death that he achieved through his resurrection.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of the verse "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," focuses on the significance of Jesus' resurrection. Some theologians believe that this event foreshadowed Jesus' own resurrection, demonstrating his power over death and the coming resurrection of all believers. The word 'saints' in this context refers to those who were faithful to God in their lives, and their rising from the dead signifies the victory of Jesus over sin and death. This event could also be seen as a fulfillment of prophecy, such as in Daniel 12:2, where it speaks of the resurrection of the dead. Overall, this verse highlights the power of Jesus to bring life to the dead and points to the hope of resurrection for all believers in Christ.

American Standard Version

and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;
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