Matthew records a strange event, and the other three gospel writers never mentioned nor is it anywhere else.
Matthew 27 reports on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, the death of Judas, Pilate saying Barabbas, or Jesus?, turning Jesus over to the soldiers for crucifixion, the events on the cross, his death, the earth quake and then:
Matthew 27:52-53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Matthew 27 then continues with his removal from the cross, laid in the tomb, a guard assigned to watch and sealing of the tomb.
Reread Matthew 27:52-53 again. Notice when these bodies appeared.
“And came out of the graves after his resurrection”. These would have been raised with the same body that the resurrected Lord had. A body of flesh and bone, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. So, if they won’t face death again, what became of them? Since Jesus was carried into heaven on the first day of resurrection (Luke 24:50-51, Mark 16:19) he may have taken them with him, or he could have taken them with him on the 40th day Acts 1:9. The scripture does not say! But a study of “First Fruits” assures us He did take them to Heaven to be with Him.
Another question, “Who were they”? Some have suggested they were old testament saints. Reread Matthew 27:52-53 again: “went into the holy city, and appeared unto many”. This was not done in secret. They would have had to be known in the city for this to be a miracle, recognized by the Jews.
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