Who Were the Saints Raised in Matthew 27?

Matthew 27:50-54

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

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

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

The people raised in Matthew 27:52-53 were many faithful and loyal saints who had magnanimously borne testimony for the truth during their lives1SM 304.1+1. These individuals, from various ages and lands, were resurrected as a powerful evidence of Christ's triumph over death and as the "first fruits" of His power1SM 304.1+2.

🌟 The Earthquake and the Opening of the Graves

When Jesus cried out "It is finished" and yielded up His spirit on the cross, a mighty earthquake occurred John 19:30+1. This supernatural event rent the rocks and opened the graves of many righteous people who had fallen asleep1SM 304.1+1. Although the graves were opened at the moment of Christ's death, these saints did not actually arise and come out of their tombs until after His own resurrection on the third day Matthew 27:52-53PTUK October 30, 1902, page 695.1.

🕊️ Who Were These Resurrected Saints?

These individuals were a specific group of redeemed ones who had been faithful to God and had magnified His name while they were alive1SM 304.1+1.

• A Multitude of Captives: They are identified as the "multitude of captives" that Christ led up with Him when He ascended in triumph to heaven Ephesians 4:8DAR1909 415.2.

• The 24 Elders: These saints are understood to be the twenty-four elders who now sit before God on their seats in the heavenly sanctuary Revelation 11:16BDOC 56.117.

• Witnesses for Christ: Having borne an unflinching testimony for the truth during their natural lives, they were summoned from their graves to be special witnesses to the One who raised them from the dead1SM 304.1+1.

📖 The Purpose of This Special Resurrection

The resurrection of these few saints served as a "lively image" or a small-scale representation of the glory that will be revealed at the final general resurrection of the just5BC 1110.3+1.

• A Sure Evidence: Their rising serves as a sure evidence of the triumph of God's people over the grave and a pledge that heaven is open to those who have washed their robes in the blood of the LambCET 234.1+1.

• The First Fruits: Just as the "first fruits" in the ancient sanctuary service were a choice specimen of the coming harvest, these resurrected saints are a true specimen and pledge of the character of all the saints who will be raised at the second appearing of Christ Leviticus 23:10ARSH July 4, 1854, page 169.18+1.

• Victory over Satan: Christ declared that these were no longer the captives of Satan; He redeemed them and brought them from the grave to be with Him where He is, nevermore to experience death or sorrow1SM 304.1+1.

After their resurrection, these individuals went into the holy city and appeared to many people, serving as undeniable proof of the power of the Life-giver Matthew 27:53DAR1909 415.2. They now perform sacred duties in heaven, having been forever delivered from the domain of deathDAR1909 415.2+1.