The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational event in Christian theology, serving as a cornerstone for the faith and hope of believers. The New Testament provides multiple accounts and evidences of the resurrection, which have been examined and affirmed by scholars and theologians throughout history. This entry explores the biblical evidence for the resurrection as presented in the Berean Standard Bible .

1. The Empty Tomb

The discovery of the empty tomb is one of the earliest pieces of evidence for the resurrection. According to the Gospels, women followers of Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, found the tomb empty on the first day of the week. In Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel tells them, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay." The empty tomb is corroborated by multiple Gospel accounts (Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10), providing a consistent narrative across different sources.

2. Post-Resurrection Appearances

The New Testament records numerous appearances of the risen Christ to His disciples and others. In 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 , Paul summarizes these appearances: "and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth." These appearances were not limited to a single location or group, but occurred in various settings, providing a broad base of witnesses.

3. Transformation of the Disciples

The transformation of Jesus' disciples from a group of frightened individuals into bold proclaimers of the resurrection is a significant evidence of its reality. Prior to the resurrection, the disciples were in hiding, fearing for their lives (John 20:19). However, after encountering the risen Christ, they became fearless evangelists, as seen in Acts 2:14-36, where Peter boldly addresses the crowd at Pentecost. This radical change is attributed to their conviction in the truth of the resurrection.

4. The Conversion of Paul

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus, known as Paul, is another compelling evidence for the resurrection. A former persecutor of Christians, Paul encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). This encounter led to his dramatic transformation and subsequent missionary work, during which he became one of the most influential apostles. Paul's writings, including his defense of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, provide a critical theological foundation for the early church.

5. The Early Church's Proclamation

The early church's consistent proclamation of the resurrection is evident in the sermons recorded in the Book of Acts. Peter's sermon at Pentecost emphasizes the resurrection as a fulfillment of prophecy and a validation of Jesus' messianic identity (Acts 2:24-32). The resurrection was central to the apostolic preaching, as seen in Acts 4:33 : "With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all."

6. The Role of Women as Witnesses

In the cultural context of the first century, women were not considered reliable witnesses. However, the Gospels unanimously record that women were the first to witness the empty tomb and the risen Christ (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-10, John 20:11-18). This detail lends credibility to the accounts, as it is unlikely that the Gospel writers would invent a account with women as primary witnesses if it were not true.

7. The Jewish Response

The Jewish authorities' response to the resurrection also serves as indirect evidence. In Matthew 28:11-15 , the guards report the empty tomb to the chief priests, who then bribe the soldiers to say that Jesus' disciples stole His body. This attempt to explain away the empty tomb suggests that even Jesus' opponents acknowledged the tomb was empty, further supporting the resurrection narrative.

The evidence for the resurrection, as presented in the New Testament, is multifaceted and compelling. It includes the empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, the transformation of the disciples, the conversion of Paul, the early church's proclamation, the role of women as witnesses, and the Jewish response. These elements together form a robust case for the historicity of the resurrection, which remains a central tenet of Christian faith.