Matthew 27 52

Matthew 27:52 kjv

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

Matthew 27:52 nkjv

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

Matthew 27:52 niv

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

Matthew 27:52 esv

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

Matthew 27:52 nlt

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

Matthew 27 verses

Matthew 27 52 Meaning

At the moment of Jesus' death on the cross, alongside other cosmic phenomena, tombs in the vicinity of Jerusalem were miraculously opened. Following Jesus' own resurrection, many deceased believers, referred to as "saints," came out of these open tombs, received resurrected bodies, and appeared to many people in the holy city. This unprecedented event serves as a divine attestation to Jesus' triumph over death and Hades, validating His redemptive work and foreshadowing the future resurrection of all believers.

Matthew 27 52 Context

Matthew 27:52 is nestled within Matthew's account of Jesus' crucifixion and immediate aftermath. It appears as one of several dramatic, supernatural signs accompanying Jesus' death, including the darkness over the land (27:45), Jesus' loud cry (27:50), the tearing of the temple veil (27:51a), and an earthquake (27:51b). These signs serve to highlight the cosmic significance of Jesus' death—it was not a mere execution but a pivotal divine event altering the course of creation and redemption. The raising of the saints immediately foreshadows and validates the ultimate power of Jesus' impending resurrection (clarified in 27:53).

Historically, the Jewish people, particularly the Pharisees, held a strong belief in the resurrection of the dead at the end of the age, though Sadducees famously rejected it (Acts 23:8). This event in Matthew therefore resonated profoundly with this hope, demonstrating God's immediate action through Christ to bring about this eschatological reality. It proclaimed that death’s power was breaking.

Matthew 27 52 Word analysis

• The tombs: Greek: ta mnēmeia (τὰ μνημεῖα). These are burial places, ranging from caves to constructed tombs. Their physical opening signifies an undeniable divine act, a breaching of the traditional resting places of the dead.
• also: Greek: kai (καὶ). This conjunction links the opening of the tombs to the earthquake and the tearing of the veil, emphasizing that all these were synchronized, miraculous occurrences at Jesus' death.
• were opened: Greek: aneōgēsan (ἀνεῴχθησαν). This aorist passive verb indicates a completed action initiated by a divine agent. It implies a dramatic, perhaps violent, rending of the tomb structures, not just a subtle shift.
• and many bodies: Greek: kai polla sōmata (καὶ πολλὰ σώματα). Emphasizes multiplicity. "Bodies" underscores the physical reality of the resurrection, distinguishing it from a spiritual awakening alone. It signals a tangible, visible event.
• of the saints: Greek: tōn hagiōn (τῶν ἁγίων). Refers to the "holy ones" or God's devoted people. These were believers from Old Testament times, who had faithfully served God. Their resurrection is a mark of God's faithfulness to His covenant people.
• who had fallen asleep: Greek: tōn kekoimēmenōn (τῶν κεκοιμημένων). A common biblical euphemism for death, particularly for believers (e.g., Acts 7:60, 1 Cor 15:6, 1 Thes 4:13). It highlights the temporary nature of death for those in God's keeping, implying an awakening rather than final cessation.

Words-group analysis:

• "The tombs also were opened": This phrase dramatically announces a supernatural intrusion into the domain of death. It implies a breaking of the seals of death by divine power, signifying a new era where death loses its ultimate hold.
• "many bodies of the saints": This indicates a significant group of God's faithful were chosen to partake in this preliminary resurrection. It confirms that the victory over death achieved by Jesus is not for Him alone but extends to His followers. The mention of "bodies" assures a real, physical resurrection.
• "who had fallen asleep were raised": This concise statement conveys both the previous state of death and the instantaneous, divine reversal of that state. It confirms the promise of resurrection for believers and links their awakening to Jesus’ triumphant death. The passive voice ("were raised") maintains the focus on God's active, powerful agency in this miracle.

Matthew 27 52 Bonus section

• Matthew's Distinctive Emphasis: This miracle is unique to Matthew's Gospel. Its inclusion highlights Matthew's specific theological agenda: to portray Jesus as the powerful Messiah and Son of God, whose death has immediate and profound cosmic consequences, including conquering the domain of death. It also serves as a strong apologetic sign to a Jewish audience that Christ fulfilled prophetic hopes concerning resurrection.
• Sequence with Matthew 27:53: The clarity provided by Matthew 27:53 is vital: the tombs were opened at Jesus' death, but the saints emerged from them and appeared to many after Jesus' own resurrection. This sequence affirms Jesus' singularity as the "firstborn from the dead" (Col 1:18) and the source of all life. Their resurrection is dependent on His.
• The Fate of the Raised Saints: While the Bible does not explicitly state what happened to these saints, common theological understanding is that they received glorious, immortal bodies, similar to Christ's post-resurrection body, and ascended to heaven with Him. They were not merely resuscitated to die again, but permanently glorified as a foretaste of the future bodily resurrection of all believers. This event hints at Christ's "leading captivity captive" (Eph 4:8, referencing Ps 68:18).
• Symbolic Significance: The raising of Old Testament saints visually demonstrates the efficacy of Christ's work in bringing life and freeing those held captive by death, a direct challenge to the ancient world's fear of death and its dominion. It implies a cosmic exchange: His death brought their life.

Matthew 27 52 Commentary

Matthew 27:52 stands as a profound theological statement within the narrative of Christ's passion. At the moment of the sinless Lamb's death, which paid the price for humanity's transgression, the power of death itself was fractured. The opening of the tombs is a cosmic tremor, echoing the tearing of the temple veil, signifying that a new access to God and a new reality for the dead have been ushered in. The raising of "many bodies of the saints" immediately after Jesus' death, but with their appearance awaiting His resurrection (Mt 27:53), serves multiple purposes. It signifies Jesus as the "firstfruits" of the resurrection (1 Cor 15:20), empowering and preceding all future resurrections. These resurrected saints became tangible proofs of Christ's victory over the grave, publicly validating the dawning of the new creation and the bodily resurrection to come. It’s an advance sign of the eschatological harvest, where the power that raised Christ from the dead is applied to His faithful ones. This unique Matthean account underscores the immense and transformative power unleashed through Christ's sacrifice and ultimate triumph.