Zombies are all the rage nowadays. Stories of the undead permeate television, movies, and books. From the bizarre antics of eccentric scientists to post-apocalyptic virus outbreaks, popular culture can't get enough of animated corpses and the living struggling to survive in their midst.
While often relegated to the genre of science fiction and horror, the concept of deceased bodies returning to life has ancient roots. Well before the advent of zombie films and TV series like "The Walking Dead," the Bible contains a curious account of saints rising from the grave en masse following Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
In Matthew 27, the gospel writer describes the earth-shattering events accompanying Christ’s death. As Jesus breathes his last breath, supernatural occurrences shake the land—the temple veil tears, rocks split open, and tombs break open. The usage of passive voice suggests these wonders unfold due to divine action rather than natural causes. God flexes His power over nature and death to mark this pivotal moment.
Among the mouth-dropping details, Matthew inserts an additional startling note almost as an aside:
“The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people” Matthew 27:52-53 (ESV).
Hold up. Actual deceased persons—perhaps even the famed prophets and saints of old—clawed their way out of graves and shambled through the holy city, alarming unsuspecting citizens? This sounds uncannily similar to an unnerving, zombie-filled Walking Dead episode!
Yet key differences remain between Matthew’s account of risen saints and today’s zombie stories. These holy people embody no threat or menace. Though emerging from tombs, they do not attack the living. They even delay their eerie cemetery exit until Easter morning after Jesus' resurrection. Unlike frenzied Hollywood zombies acting on debased impulse, their initial restraint suggests volitional control over their actions.
Matthew employs this shocking story of raised corpses for distinct theological purposes absent from zombie fiction. The timely rising of deceased saints accompanies the death and resurrection of Christ to signify Jesus' supreme authority over mortality itself. These holy people preview and testify to the future bodily resurrection awaiting all believers. Their post-death animation serves as an alarming sign, fulfilling the biblical prophecy that the Messiah holds power over the grave (Ezekiel 37:12-14).
This curious account of saints revived from death bears striking similarities to our modern zombie trope. Billions of fans obsess over shows depicting shambling corpses wreaking havoc upon communities struggling to endure. Yet the Bible’s “walkers” emerge to display Jesus Christ's sovereignty rather than spread terror. Their brief return signifies His power over sin and death before they likely return to an intermediate heavenly state.
While lacking the violence and gore of a Walking Dead episode, Matthew’s account of holy figures climbing out of tombs would have shocked ancient readers more than modern zombie fans. The gospel writer likely includes this detail about available corpses coming back to “life” to underscore Christ's authority as Resurrection and Life. If Jesus controls the grave, believers need not fear death.
Beyond mere shock value, the empty tombs and raised saints substantiate Jesus’ Messianic identity and forecast the future hope of bodily resurrection. Their emergence previews victory over mortality now secured in Jesus. Like an undead harbinger for humankind, these saints testify that death’s days are numbered. Christ has ransomed a fallen world, now walking in the newness of life.
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a watershed moment in human history. As Christ willingly laid down His life to atone for the sins of the world, nature itself reacted to the death of its Creator. Matthew's gospel records that at the moment of Christ's death, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks split" (Matthew 27:51). This symbolic tearing of the temple veil signified that Christ's sacrifice opened the way to God for all people. The earthquake demonstrated nature's recognition of Christ's authority as its Maker.
Yet among these dramatic signs, Matthew includes an additional curious detail: "The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many people" (Matthew 27:52-53). Though this account of deceased saints rising to life accompanies the cosmic signs surrounding Christ's death, these resurrected believers did not emerge from their tombs until after Christ Himself rose from the dead.
This remarkable occurrence raises several questions. Who were these risen saints? What happened to them after their resurrection appearances? And what is the significance of their timely resurrection alongside Christ's crucifixion and resurrection? We can uncover valuable insights into this mystery by exploring some key details in Matthew's account and related scriptures.
The Identity of the Risen Saints
Matthew specifies that these risen people were "holy people who had died" (Matthew 27:52). The Greek word translated "holy" refers to those sanctified or set apart by God. Though Scripture does not name these saints, it is likely they were devout Jewish believers from previous eras. As people consecrated to God, their timely resurrection served as a divine endorsement of Christ’s messiahship while previewing the future bodily resurrection of all the righteous. The resurrection of esteemed figures like Abraham, David, Elijah, or Daniel would have certainly garnered attention and testified to Jesus’ authority over death.
Matthew Henry speculates, "They were some of the ancient patriarchs that had been long in their graves, though they still lived to God...and many of them were such as had signalized themselves by their piety and zeal for God.” Christ's death and resurrection fulfilled what many righteous Old Testament saints had eagerly anticipated. The author of Hebrews acknowledges this hope: “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:39-40). Though we cannot confirm their identities, these deceased saints shared in Christ’s resurrection as Old Testament promises were actualized.
The Aftermath of the Resurrection Appearances
Matthew's account focuses on the immediate impact of these saints’ resurrection appearances. Yet his narrative leaves open questions about their fate. Did they die again later? Or were they resurrected with imperishable, glorified bodies like Christ’s?
Jesus provides some indications about the intermediate state between earthly life and final resurrection. He shares the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, who exist in different realms after death—one comforted with Abraham, the other tormented (Luke 16:19-31). Jesus also promises the repentant criminal that “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). The apostle Paul likewise distinguishes between the mortal, perishable body and the future resurrected body (1 Corinthians 15:35-54). He even expresses his preference to be away from his earthly body to be at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-10).
So, although Scripture does not directly confirm what happened to Matthew’s resurrected saints, evidence suggests that after making their miraculous appearances, they likely went on to dwell in God’s presence, awaiting their final bodily resurrection like other deceased believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Their risen state was temporary, intended to testify to Christ’s authority over death at His crucifixion. After serving this purpose, they presumably rested in spirit form with the Lord.
The Significance of the Resurrected Saints
Why does Matthew include this account of long-deceased saints rising out of tombs and making post-resurrection appearances? What significance does this remarkable sign convey?
First, the resurrection of esteemed Jewish saints corroborates Christ’s messianic identity. By previewing the future resurrection and exerting power over death, these events affirmed Jesus as the Son of God. The centurion at the cross declared, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). For devout Jews familiar with prophecies of resurrection, this miraculous sign substantiated Jesus’ authority as the long-awaited Messiah.
These resurrections also signify the inauguration of new creation life. Christ’s death and resurrection launched the reversal of sin’s curse as the arrival of God’s kingdom. As Paul declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The risen saints gave a foretaste of this new creation, demonstrating Jesus’ lordship over mortality. His death swallows up death itself (Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:54). The torn temple veil, split rocks, and opened tombs all symbolize the dawning of new spiritual life for mankind.
Finally, these resurrections prefigure the bodily resurrection of all believers. Christ’s resurrection guarantees our future resurrection, providing the pattern and means for raising the righteous dead. Paul confirms, “By [Adam’s] power death entered the world...nevertheless, just as through one man [Christ] came resurrection of the dead, so also through a man has come the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Those raised at Christ’s death remind us of His sovereignty over the grave. As the firstfruits of resurrected saints, they give us a living hope that we too will share in Christ’s ultimate victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:20).
The account of saints rising from their tombs contains elements of mystery and intrigue. Yet, by considering key details and related scriptures, we uncover insight into the identity and significance of these resurrected believers. They substantiate Jesus’ authority over death as Israel's promised Messiah. Their timely rising previews the life of the age to come and the ultimate bodily resurrection Christ secured for all who believe. However puzzling on the surface, the account of risen saints testifies to Christ’s sovereignty over death as He ushers in new creation life.
For the believing reader, the rising saints hold deeper significance—affirming the bodily resurrection that Christ’s victory guarantees for all who trust in Him across the ages.
This fearful glimpse of deceased bodies returning to life foreshadows the everlasting life embodied in Christ alone. As the apostle Paul declares, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” (1 Corinthians 6:14).
Because Jesus conquered the grave once for all, we no longer face death’s sting. Our future resurrection is assured in Him:
"The Lord himself will come down from heaven, with...the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Like righteous saints revived in Matthew’s account, we too will emerge from graves when Christ returns. United body and soul, we will meet our glorious King as He welcomes His faithful children to their eternal home.
Jesus describes our destiny this way: “My Father’s house has many rooms...I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
The risen saints in Matthew offer a divine preview of these promised heavenly mansions. Their opened tombs will one day give way to resurrected new bodies and full restoration of human personhood in Christ. As His redeemed image-bearers, we gain far more than mere resuscitation—we inherit imperishable existence with unhindered access to God's presence and our beloved community, held securely within His Trinitarian love and joy forever.
Truly, we can declare with Paul in light of Christ’s certain triumph:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory...Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:54, 57).
The risen saints in Matthew remind us of this glorious hope. Their post-crucifixion appearances point forward to the bodily redemption awaiting all who hope in the resurrected Messiah. For not even the grave can keep Jesus’ flock from the many rooms He has prepared to welcome them home.
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