The Resurrection of Jesus in the Gospels

The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in all of human history. The four Gospels, Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20, recount the discovery of the empty tomb on the morning of the first day of the week and the appearances of the risen Christ. Far from being a late legend, this account rests on multiple and concordant testimony. The resurrection validates the divine identity of Jesus: Romans 1:4 declares that he was 'declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead.' It also confirms that his sacrifice obtained the forgiveness of sins, for he was 'delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification' (Romans 4:25). By his resurrection, Jesus defeated death once and for all, stripping of his power the one who held its dominion (Hebrews 2:14). Without this event, Jesus would be merely a teacher among others, whose promise would have sunk into the grave. But the tomb is empty, and the risen One showed himself alive to Mary Magdalene (John 20:16), to the gathered disciples (John 20:19-20), and to more than five hundred brethren at once (1 Corinthians 15:6). The resurrection of Jesus is thus the unshakable foundation of all Christian hope. Because Jesus lives, you also will live; because he conquered death, yours is already conquered in him.