What does Matthew 27:53 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 27:53 is a verse that describes a miraculous event reported to have occurred immediately after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The verse indicates that following Jesus's resurrection, some tombs in the vicinity opened up and the bodies of many holy people who had died were brought back to life.

After Jesus's resurrection, they emerged from their graves, and they entered the holy city of Jerusalem, where they were seen by many people.

The verse suggests a literal resurrection of the dead, which acts as a testament to the power of Jesus's own resurrection.

It implies that through Jesus's victory over death, others too were granted a form of new life, connecting the event to the Christian theme of resurrection leading to eternal life.

The appearance of these resurrected individuals to 'many' in Jerusalem also serves to validate the miracle of the resurrection to the inhabitants of the city.

Historical Context

This event is mentioned in the context of the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Matthew, written approximately around 80-90 AD.

The author of Matthew was writing for a primarily Jewish audience and often included references to Hebrew scriptures to establish Jesus as the prophesied Messiah.

The historical context includes Jerusalem under Roman occupation, where any messianic claim would stir political and religious tensions.

There are no corroborating historical accounts outside of the Bible that mention the event of saints rising from their graves, and it appears to be unique to Matthew's Gospel. This may reflect the evangelist's intention to convey theological meaning rather than historical fact.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted in different ways.

Some view it as a sign of the inauguration of the new covenant, with the resurrected saints symbolizing the promise and hope of resurrection for all believers in Christ.

Others see it as a fulfillment of prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures, like Ezekiel's vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, which is often interpreted as a prophecy about the resurrection of Israel.

Some scholars argue that this event illustrates the breaking down of barriers between life and death, reinforcing the idea that Jesus has authority over death.

It's also been suggested that just as Jesus' death tore the curtain of the temple (Matthew 27:51), the resurrection of the saints symbolizes the breaking of seals on the tombs, both events signaling access to God and eternal life.

Practical Applications

From a practical standpoint, this verse may serve as a source of hope and inspiration for believers, providing a powerful image of life after death.

It can encourage Christians to have faith in the promises of the New Testament regarding eternal life and the resurrection at the end of times.

The verse can also motivate believers to live righteously, in order to be counted among the 'holy people' who are granted new life.

It highlights the importance of maintaining faith even in the face of death and reassures believers that death is not the end, but rather a transition to a different form of existence with God.

Cross-References

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16: "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"
• 1 Corinthians 15:20-23: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept..."
• Ezekiel 37:12-13: "Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel..."

Language Study

In the original Greek language, key terms include:

• 'seismos': often translated as 'earthquake,' indicating a shaking or a great disturbance, which parallels the dramatic events occurring.
• 'hagioi': meaning 'holy ones' or 'saints,' referring to people who were devout and righteous before their death.
• 'eisēlthon': a form of 'eiserchomai,' which means 'to go or enter into,' signifying the movement of the resurrected into the city.
• 'emphanis': a form of 'emphanizō,' meaning 'to appear' or 'to make known,' stressing the visibility of this event to many.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons can be drawn between the resurrection of the saints in Matthew and other ancient myths involving the underworld or afterlife. In various pagan mythologies, there are stories of gods descending into the underrealm and emerging with souls.

However, these typically symbolize seasonal cycles or personal quests rather than a collective resurrection.

In Jewish tradition, the concept of resurrection is present, though not universally accepted among all sects of Judaism during the Second Temple period. Resurrection became a more developed concept within Pharisaic Judaism and found its way into Christian theology.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific understanding, based on empirical evidence, does not support the idea of physical resurrection of the dead.

Science focuses on observable phenomena and natural explanations rather than supernatural events.

As such, the event described in Matthew 27:53 is generally considered outside the realm of scientific inquiry and remains a matter of faith.

Commentaries

Scholarly interpretations of Matthew 27:53 vary.

Some conservative commentators take the verse as a literal, historical occurrence, while many critical scholars see it as a theological construct by the author of Matthew, designed to underscore the significance of Jesus's resurrection.

They suggest it serves as an anticipatory sign, a kind of 'first fruits', pointing to the general resurrection at the end of times predicted in Christian eschatology.

Some commentaries also note that the event's lack of mention in other contemporary sources (including the other Gospels) is indicative of its allegorical or symbolic nature rather than a historical report.

Overall, the verse remains a subject of theological reflection and discussion, rather than historical analysis.