Matthew 27:52
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μνημεῖα
the graves
G3419
μνημεῖα
the graves
Strong's:
G3419
Word #:
3 of 11
a remembrance, i.e., cenotaph (place of interment)
ἀνεῴχθησαν
were opened
G455
ἀνεῴχθησαν
were opened
Strong's:
G455
Word #:
4 of 11
to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πολλὰ
many
G4183
πολλὰ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
6 of 11
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
σώματα
bodies
G4983
σώματα
bodies
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
7 of 11
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κεκοιμημένων
slept
G2837
κεκοιμημένων
slept
Strong's:
G2837
Word #:
9 of 11
to put to sleep, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease
Cross References
Isaiah 26:19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.1 Corinthians 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.1 Thessalonians 4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.Daniel 12:2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Isaiah 25:8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.1 Thessalonians 5:10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.1 Corinthians 15:51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,Hosea 13:14I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.1 Corinthians 11:30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Historical Context
This supernatural event at Christ's death testified to His redemptive work's cosmic significance. Death's power was broken; the grave could not hold God's people. Early church fathers (Ignatius, Origen) referenced this as proof of resurrection's reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the resurrection of OT saints at Christ's death demonstrate that His atoning work has retroactive power for all believers throughout history?
- What does it mean that death is described as 'sleep' for believers—how should this shape our view of Christian death?
- How should the reality of bodily resurrection (demonstrated by these saints rising) affect our hope and how we view our physical bodies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. This extraordinary sign accompanied Jesus's death. 'The graves were opened' (τὰ μνημεῖα ἀνεῴχθησαν/ta mnēmeia aneōchthēsan)—tombs split open in the earthquake. But more remarkably, 'many bodies of the saints which slept arose' (πολλὰ σώματα τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων ἠγέρθησαν/polla sōmata tōn kekoimēmenōn hagiōn ēgerthēsan).
'Saints which slept' (τῶν κεκοιμημένων ἁγίων/tōn kekoimēmenōn hagiōn)—'sleep' is biblical terminology for death for believers (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). These were OT believers who had died trusting God's promises. Their resurrection demonstrated that Christ's death conquered death not only for the future but retroactively for all who trust Him.
They arose when Christ died but appeared after His resurrection (Matthew 27:53), showing Christ as 'firstfruits' (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection caused theirs; His victory over death liberated them from death's hold. This anticipated the final resurrection when all saints will rise in glorified bodies.