Darkness and Lightning at Calvary as the Crowd Falls ProstrateBible World
27:53Matthew 27:53
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
After His resurrection a company of holy saints came out of their graves, went into Jerusalem the holy city, and appeared to many in glorified bodies. They were a few chosen faithful ones who had lived in every age from creation to the days of Christ and had witnessed for the truth at the cost of their lives, raised to everlasting life to die no more. They went with Him as witnesses testifying that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified had risen and His sacrifice was complete, and that His power had called them from the grave. Their resurrection was a trophy of His victory over Satan, death and the grave, and they afterward ascended with Him as captives set free, presented to the Father as representatives of those He will raise at His second coming. It was the first-fruits that settled that the dead in Christ will rise, a foretaste of the general resurrection when all from Abel to the last saint shall come forth to glorious immortality, and it made the resurrection doubly sure against the lying report that His body was stolen.
Signs at Christ's Death
Matthew 27:53 belongs to the record of the Saviour's humiliation and suffering, showing that no human being could suffer more. When Jesus died the temple veil was torn, darkness settled over the earth, a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard, and a violent earthquake shook the earth. Rocks in the surrounding mountains burst asunder with loud crashing and tumbled to the plains below, and the sepulchers were broken open and the dead cast out of their tombs.
The violent trembling shook the multitude together in heaps in wild confusion and consternation. Priests, rulers, soldiers, executioners and people were left prostrate on the ground, mute with terror, gazing on the Saviour with bated breath. Creation itself seemed to be shivering to atoms and breaking into atoms.
The graves torn open were specifically those of Israel's prophets and judges. The opening happened in public before multitudes assembled at Jerusalem from scattered countries for the Passover, with thousands who had heard of Jesus coming to behold Him. Together with the heavens, earth, rocks and atmosphere declaring that the Son of God was dying on Calvary, and the veil torn from top to bottom before the worshipers, it was appointed by God to be seen and never forgotten. Those who saw searched the Scriptures as never before, fulfilling prophetic history in the actions and words of priests and rulers, and many did not rest till they had settled for themselves what these things meant under the directing Almighty hand.
The earthquake, torn rocks, darkness and commotion of nature expressed sympathy with her dying Author. These signs testified that the One who died on Calvary was the Son of God and filled the spectators with terror. Together with His serene endurance of taunts and abuse without complaint, His prayer for forgiveness for those crucifying Him, His merciful answer to the dying thief, the darkness over the earth and its sudden lifting, and His triumphant cry that it is finished followed by immediate death, these remarkable circumstances press overpowering evidence that Jesus is the Son of God upon the minds of His enemies after the frenzy of excitement passes.
Order of Graves Opening
The graves were shaken open when Jesus died crying that His work was finished, while rocks rent and the earth shook, but the dead did not come out until after Jesus rose and walked forth triumphant over death and the grave with the earth reeling and the glory of heaven around the tomb. The opening belongs to the account in which His death was accompanied by an earthquake and opened graves. Obedient to His call, many then came forth after He rose.
He did not long remain under the power of the enemy, having entered the darkness of the grave and tasted death for every man. He came forth from the tomb a triumphant conqueror who had earned power over death and the grave. That moment was signaled by a second earthquake, answering the earthquake when He laid down His life, amid reeling earth, flashing lightning and roaring thunder. A most exalted angel sent from heaven with countenance like lightning and garments white as snow rolled back the stone from the sepulcher, joined by the commanding angel who had kept watch over the tomb, and for fear of him the keepers shook and fell prostrate and became as dead men, while the Roman guards and officers lay as dead and the evil angels who had claimed His body fled in terror.
The voice that declared His work finished reached the dead and summoned the sleepers from their tombs. Their graves were opened when His voice summoned them, showing that the power that raised Him can raise the dead.
Jesus really died at the very moment the mysterious darkness enshrouding the earth passed away, much sooner than those crucified who frequently lingered days upon the cross. Knowledge of His death had been purposely kept from Pilate amid conflicting reports until Joseph told Him, and it was then made certain by the lips of the centurion in command of the soldiers at the cross, who recounted the fearful scenes of Calvary and corroborated Joseph. The account caused Pilate to believe more firmly that Jesus was no ordinary man, left the Roman governor strangely agitated, and made him keenly regret his part in condemning the Saviour, while the priests and rulers charged Pilate and his officers to guard against any deception the disciples might practice concerning the body.
Identity of Risen Saints
The verse describes a multitude and company of the sleeping dead brought out as captives whom Christ led forth. They were faithful, holy, righteous saints who sleep in Jesus, raised with Him after His resurrection. After coming out of their graves they entered the holy city and appeared to many as witnesses that He had risen. As first-fruits of those who sleep they gave evidence and assurance about the future life of the faithful dead in the final resurrection.
They were a few chosen and holy ones, obedient to His call, who came forth glorified. They had lived in every age from creation down to the days of Christ, from Abel onward to the last age before His coming. They had testified to the truth at the cost of their lives. Their few opened graves were a small foretaste and vivid picture of the general resurrection of the just when all the dead in Christ will hear His voice and rise to glorious, immortal life.
They were raised glorified to everlasting life, to never die or suffer or sorrow again. This was unlike those whom Jesus had previously restored to mortal life, for these rose to immortality and ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death. They are not the 144,000. To call those raised saints the 144,000 is error contrary to the Bible and must be yielded.
Witness in Holy City
After His resurrection they came out of their graves, left their burial places, went into the holy city Jerusalem, and appeared unto many in resurrected forms and resurrected bodies and glorified bodies. When Christ arose a multitude of the dead whose tombs had been opened at His death came forth and entered the city as witnesses that Christ had risen. They testified that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified, whom the priests and rulers had killed, had risen, that His sacrifice for humanity was complete, and that His power had called them from the grave and they had risen with Him. They appeared to many and testified to their believing relatives, and their public testimony spread the joyful news from city to city and town to town despite attempts to conceal it.
They went with Him as witnesses to the power of the risen Saviour, testifying through their lives, and their public testimony spread the joyful news despite attempts to conceal it. Their testimony made this event, on which salvation depends, impossible for the priests and elders and religious leaders to conceal. The account stands with Christ's appearance to His sorrowing disciples after rising from the dead. Seeing Him alive revived their hopes after His death had seemed to end them.
Triumph and Ascension to Heaven
Their rising was a trophy and sign of victory over Satan and death and over death and the grave, proving to the world and to creation that there is power over death and that the captives of death are rescued by dying. By death the dominion of death was brought upon Satan and immortality was brought to light. Those raised entered Jerusalem in resurrected forms and glorified bodies and appeared to many, testifying that the sacrifice for humanity was complete and that power had called them from the grave to rise with the risen one. Their resurrection was also a pledge of the future resurrection of all the righteous dead.
They afterward went with Him at His ascension as a multitude of captives set free and rescued from death. He went before them as leader and they followed upward in a joyous train through the portals into the city of God. The heavenly host escorted them with songs of joy and triumph and shouts and celestial praise, with angelic hosts attending, and Moses among those attending Him to open the everlasting gates. They were among the captives raised from the dead who had gone into the holy city and appeared to many and then followed Him in His ascension.
They were taken with Him to heaven and presented to the Father as representatives and samples and examples of those redeemed who will rise from the dead at the second coming. They were presented as trophies to the universe of heaven and to the worlds God created. Not all who believed were raised then, but only a specimen of what will be, to show that death and the grave will not hold their captives. Their resurrection guarantees that at the coming again with power and great glory the prison house of the grave will be opened and the dead brought forth to glorious immortality.
Pledge of Final Resurrection
Their rising was as first-fruits of those who sleep, settling the question whether the dead will rise and giving evidence and assurance about the future life of the faithful dead. Those who sleep in Jesus will be raised in the final resurrection, will not remain held by death, but will be rescued and restored to life. Their resurrection was a pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead and a sign and trophy of victory over death and the grave. The voice that declared the work finished reached the dead and summoned the sleepers from their tombs, showing that the power that raised Him can raise the dead, and at the final resurrection God's voice will likewise penetrate the graves.
It was a small foretaste and vivid picture of the general resurrection of the just when Christ returns. Then God's voice will open the graves, Christ will appear with the angels, and His call will raise the righteous dead to immortal life. All the dead in Christ, from Abel to the last saint who dies, will hear His voice and come forth to glorious, immortal life. Those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will rise at God's trumpet, receive glorious immortality, ascend to the city of God, and see the King in His beauty.
It was a real partial resurrection after Christ's own resurrection, distinct from the future hour when all who are in their graves will hear the voice of the Son of man and come forth. Then every saint who sleeps in Jesus will awake and leave the prison house. Not all who believed were raised then, but only a specimen of what will be, to show that death and the grave will not hold their captives. Their resurrection guarantees that when Christ comes again with power and great glory He will open the prison house of the grave and bring the dead forth to glorious immortality. Their appearances proclaimed that they had risen with Him, making their resurrection a witness to the truth of the resurrection and an illustration of the prophecy that the dead shall live and the earth shall give them forth.
The event connects with the final deliverance of God's people, when at Jesus' coming the graves open and the saints rise immortal, proclaiming victory over death and the grave, then join the living saints to meet the Lord in the air. It applies to those who died in faith under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, who rise glorified to hear God's covenant of peace with those who kept His law. This company represented people who will come out of their graves after the time of trouble that is to come upon the world. With the crucifixion and resurrection, their resurrection testified that God's law is immutable and unchangeable.
Evidence Against Unbelief
Those brought up with Him declared that Jesus had risen, and their witness made the resurrection doubly sure. Their testimony confirmed the event on which salvation depends, and it made that event impossible for the priests and elders to conceal. When Christ rose a multitude also rose, entered Jerusalem, and testified that Christ had risen and that they had risen with Him, and their testimony weakened the guards' false report that the disciples had taken His body.
The Roman guards at the sepulcher witnessed this resurrection of the multitude together with the resurrection of Christ Himself. Going into the city they truthfully told what they had seen at the sepulcher, bearing testimony to the chief priests and rulers both to His resurrection and to the multitude raised with Him. Their resurrection established the certainty that Christ Himself had risen.
They were living witnesses to Christ's resurrection whom the priests could not silence, even though the priests bribed the soldiers and spread lying reports that He had not risen and that His disciples had stolen His body. Many people heard the soldiers' testimony and also saw these risen ones and heard their testimony that Jesus, whom the priests and rulers had killed, had risen from the dead. Reports of these encounters were brought to the priests and rulers. Their return to life was evidence of His power and terrified His accusers, and the Roman guard's lie could not conceal His resurrection.
Their appearances and testimony helped establish the truth of Jesus' resurrection and His claim to be the divine Son of God, planting that truth in the minds of those willing to believe. Their raising establishes the certainty that Christ Himself rose from the dead and gives incontrovertible proof that He is the Son of God. Satan's effort to conceal the resurrection through the lie put in the mouths of the Roman guard was defeated, so that from that time men believed the One crucified was the Son of God. The extraordinary events at His death and resurrection, with the graves opened amid earthquake and splitting rocks, pressed upon the priests and rulers as evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
Their appearances and testimony gave evidence of His resurrection and brought fear to the priests and rulers, who dreaded meeting Christ. They were left in continual dread by day and by night of coming face to face with Christ. Pilate trembled and believed the testimony that Jesus was risen and had raised many with Him, and his peace left him forever. He became fully convinced that in delivering Jesus to die for worldly honor and for fear of losing his authority and life he was guilty not of the blood of a merely common innocent man but of the blood of the Son of God. Despair and anguish crushed every hopeful, joyful feeling, he refused to be comforted, and his life was miserable to its close and he died a most miserable death, while the Jews were afraid for their lives and held only to spreading their lying report, which those who wished it true believed.
After His resurrection a company of holy saints came out of their graves, went into Jerusalem the holy city, and appeared to many in glorified bodies. They were a few chosen faithful ones who had lived in every age from creation to the days of Christ and had witnessed for the truth at the cost of their lives, raised to everlasting life to die no more. They went with Him as witnesses testifying that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified had risen and His sacrifice was complete, and that His power had called them from the grave. Their resurrection was a trophy of His victory over Satan, death and the grave, and they afterward ascended with Him as captives set free, presented to the Father as representatives of those He will raise at His second coming. It was the first-fruits that settled that the dead in Christ will rise, a foretaste of the general resurrection when all from Abel to the last saint shall come forth to glorious immortality, and it made the resurrection doubly sure against the lying report that His body was stolen.
Signs at Christ's Death
Matthew 27:53 belongs to the record of the Saviour's humiliation and suffering, showing that no human being could suffer more. When Jesus died the temple veil was torn, darkness settled over the earth, a hoarse rumbling like heavy thunder was heard, and a violent earthquake shook the earth. Rocks in the surrounding mountains burst asunder with loud crashing and tumbled to the plains below, and the sepulchers were broken open and the dead cast out of their tombs.
The violent trembling shook the multitude together in heaps in wild confusion and consternation. Priests, rulers, soldiers, executioners and people were left prostrate on the ground, mute with terror, gazing on the Saviour with bated breath. Creation itself seemed to be shivering to atoms and breaking into atoms.
The graves torn open were specifically those of Israel's prophets and judges. The opening happened in public before multitudes assembled at Jerusalem from scattered countries for the Passover, with thousands who had heard of Jesus coming to behold Him. Together with the heavens, earth, rocks and atmosphere declaring that the Son of God was dying on Calvary, and the veil torn from top to bottom before the worshipers, it was appointed by God to be seen and never forgotten. Those who saw searched the Scriptures as never before, fulfilling prophetic history in the actions and words of priests and rulers, and many did not rest till they had settled for themselves what these things meant under the directing Almighty hand.
The earthquake, torn rocks, darkness and commotion of nature expressed sympathy with her dying Author. These signs testified that the One who died on Calvary was the Son of God and filled the spectators with terror. Together with His serene endurance of taunts and abuse without complaint, His prayer for forgiveness for those crucifying Him, His merciful answer to the dying thief, the darkness over the earth and its sudden lifting, and His triumphant cry that it is finished followed by immediate death, these remarkable circumstances press overpowering evidence that Jesus is the Son of God upon the minds of His enemies after the frenzy of excitement passes.
Order of Graves Opening
The graves were shaken open when Jesus died crying that His work was finished, while rocks rent and the earth shook, but the dead did not come out until after Jesus rose and walked forth triumphant over death and the grave with the earth reeling and the glory of heaven around the tomb. The opening belongs to the account in which His death was accompanied by an earthquake and opened graves. Obedient to His call, many then came forth after He rose.
He did not long remain under the power of the enemy, having entered the darkness of the grave and tasted death for every man. He came forth from the tomb a triumphant conqueror who had earned power over death and the grave. That moment was signaled by a second earthquake, answering the earthquake when He laid down His life, amid reeling earth, flashing lightning and roaring thunder. A most exalted angel sent from heaven with countenance like lightning and garments white as snow rolled back the stone from the sepulcher, joined by the commanding angel who had kept watch over the tomb, and for fear of him the keepers shook and fell prostrate and became as dead men, while the Roman guards and officers lay as dead and the evil angels who had claimed His body fled in terror.
The voice that declared His work finished reached the dead and summoned the sleepers from their tombs. Their graves were opened when His voice summoned them, showing that the power that raised Him can raise the dead.
Jesus really died at the very moment the mysterious darkness enshrouding the earth passed away, much sooner than those crucified who frequently lingered days upon the cross. Knowledge of His death had been purposely kept from Pilate amid conflicting reports until Joseph told Him, and it was then made certain by the lips of the centurion in command of the soldiers at the cross, who recounted the fearful scenes of Calvary and corroborated Joseph. The account caused Pilate to believe more firmly that Jesus was no ordinary man, left the Roman governor strangely agitated, and made him keenly regret his part in condemning the Saviour, while the priests and rulers charged Pilate and his officers to guard against any deception the disciples might practice concerning the body.
Identity of Risen Saints
The verse describes a multitude and company of the sleeping dead brought out as captives whom Christ led forth. They were faithful, holy, righteous saints who sleep in Jesus, raised with Him after His resurrection. After coming out of their graves they entered the holy city and appeared to many as witnesses that He had risen. As first-fruits of those who sleep they gave evidence and assurance about the future life of the faithful dead in the final resurrection.
They were a few chosen and holy ones, obedient to His call, who came forth glorified. They had lived in every age from creation down to the days of Christ, from Abel onward to the last age before His coming. They had testified to the truth at the cost of their lives. Their few opened graves were a small foretaste and vivid picture of the general resurrection of the just when all the dead in Christ will hear His voice and rise to glorious, immortal life.
They were raised glorified to everlasting life, to never die or suffer or sorrow again. This was unlike those whom Jesus had previously restored to mortal life, for these rose to immortality and ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death. They are not the 144,000. To call those raised saints the 144,000 is error contrary to the Bible and must be yielded.
Witness in Holy City
After His resurrection they came out of their graves, left their burial places, went into the holy city Jerusalem, and appeared unto many in resurrected forms and resurrected bodies and glorified bodies. When Christ arose a multitude of the dead whose tombs had been opened at His death came forth and entered the city as witnesses that Christ had risen. They testified that Jesus whom the Jews had crucified, whom the priests and rulers had killed, had risen, that His sacrifice for humanity was complete, and that His power had called them from the grave and they had risen with Him. They appeared to many and testified to their believing relatives, and their public testimony spread the joyful news from city to city and town to town despite attempts to conceal it.
They went with Him as witnesses to the power of the risen Saviour, testifying through their lives, and their public testimony spread the joyful news despite attempts to conceal it. Their testimony made this event, on which salvation depends, impossible for the priests and elders and religious leaders to conceal. The account stands with Christ's appearance to His sorrowing disciples after rising from the dead. Seeing Him alive revived their hopes after His death had seemed to end them.
Triumph and Ascension to Heaven
Their rising was a trophy and sign of victory over Satan and death and over death and the grave, proving to the world and to creation that there is power over death and that the captives of death are rescued by dying. By death the dominion of death was brought upon Satan and immortality was brought to light. Those raised entered Jerusalem in resurrected forms and glorified bodies and appeared to many, testifying that the sacrifice for humanity was complete and that power had called them from the grave to rise with the risen one. Their resurrection was also a pledge of the future resurrection of all the righteous dead.
They afterward went with Him at His ascension as a multitude of captives set free and rescued from death. He went before them as leader and they followed upward in a joyous train through the portals into the city of God. The heavenly host escorted them with songs of joy and triumph and shouts and celestial praise, with angelic hosts attending, and Moses among those attending Him to open the everlasting gates. They were among the captives raised from the dead who had gone into the holy city and appeared to many and then followed Him in His ascension.
They were taken with Him to heaven and presented to the Father as representatives and samples and examples of those redeemed who will rise from the dead at the second coming. They were presented as trophies to the universe of heaven and to the worlds God created. Not all who believed were raised then, but only a specimen of what will be, to show that death and the grave will not hold their captives. Their resurrection guarantees that at the coming again with power and great glory the prison house of the grave will be opened and the dead brought forth to glorious immortality.
Pledge of Final Resurrection
Their rising was as first-fruits of those who sleep, settling the question whether the dead will rise and giving evidence and assurance about the future life of the faithful dead. Those who sleep in Jesus will be raised in the final resurrection, will not remain held by death, but will be rescued and restored to life. Their resurrection was a pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead and a sign and trophy of victory over death and the grave. The voice that declared the work finished reached the dead and summoned the sleepers from their tombs, showing that the power that raised Him can raise the dead, and at the final resurrection God's voice will likewise penetrate the graves.
It was a small foretaste and vivid picture of the general resurrection of the just when Christ returns. Then God's voice will open the graves, Christ will appear with the angels, and His call will raise the righteous dead to immortal life. All the dead in Christ, from Abel to the last saint who dies, will hear His voice and come forth to glorious, immortal life. Those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will rise at God's trumpet, receive glorious immortality, ascend to the city of God, and see the King in His beauty.
It was a real partial resurrection after Christ's own resurrection, distinct from the future hour when all who are in their graves will hear the voice of the Son of man and come forth. Then every saint who sleeps in Jesus will awake and leave the prison house. Not all who believed were raised then, but only a specimen of what will be, to show that death and the grave will not hold their captives. Their resurrection guarantees that when Christ comes again with power and great glory He will open the prison house of the grave and bring the dead forth to glorious immortality. Their appearances proclaimed that they had risen with Him, making their resurrection a witness to the truth of the resurrection and an illustration of the prophecy that the dead shall live and the earth shall give them forth.
The event connects with the final deliverance of God's people, when at Jesus' coming the graves open and the saints rise immortal, proclaiming victory over death and the grave, then join the living saints to meet the Lord in the air. It applies to those who died in faith under the third angel's message, keeping the Sabbath, who rise glorified to hear God's covenant of peace with those who kept His law. This company represented people who will come out of their graves after the time of trouble that is to come upon the world. With the crucifixion and resurrection, their resurrection testified that God's law is immutable and unchangeable.
Evidence Against Unbelief
Those brought up with Him declared that Jesus had risen, and their witness made the resurrection doubly sure. Their testimony confirmed the event on which salvation depends, and it made that event impossible for the priests and elders to conceal. When Christ rose a multitude also rose, entered Jerusalem, and testified that Christ had risen and that they had risen with Him, and their testimony weakened the guards' false report that the disciples had taken His body.
The Roman guards at the sepulcher witnessed this resurrection of the multitude together with the resurrection of Christ Himself. Going into the city they truthfully told what they had seen at the sepulcher, bearing testimony to the chief priests and rulers both to His resurrection and to the multitude raised with Him. Their resurrection established the certainty that Christ Himself had risen.
They were living witnesses to Christ's resurrection whom the priests could not silence, even though the priests bribed the soldiers and spread lying reports that He had not risen and that His disciples had stolen His body. Many people heard the soldiers' testimony and also saw these risen ones and heard their testimony that Jesus, whom the priests and rulers had killed, had risen from the dead. Reports of these encounters were brought to the priests and rulers. Their return to life was evidence of His power and terrified His accusers, and the Roman guard's lie could not conceal His resurrection.
Their appearances and testimony helped establish the truth of Jesus' resurrection and His claim to be the divine Son of God, planting that truth in the minds of those willing to believe. Their raising establishes the certainty that Christ Himself rose from the dead and gives incontrovertible proof that He is the Son of God. Satan's effort to conceal the resurrection through the lie put in the mouths of the Roman guard was defeated, so that from that time men believed the One crucified was the Son of God. The extraordinary events at His death and resurrection, with the graves opened amid earthquake and splitting rocks, pressed upon the priests and rulers as evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
Their appearances and testimony gave evidence of His resurrection and brought fear to the priests and rulers, who dreaded meeting Christ. They were left in continual dread by day and by night of coming face to face with Christ. Pilate trembled and believed the testimony that Jesus was risen and had raised many with Him, and his peace left him forever. He became fully convinced that in delivering Jesus to die for worldly honor and for fear of losing his authority and life he was guilty not of the blood of a merely common innocent man but of the blood of the Son of God. Despair and anguish crushed every hopeful, joyful feeling, he refused to be comforted, and his life was miserable to its close and he died a most miserable death, while the Jews were afraid for their lives and held only to spreading their lying report, which those who wished it true believed.