The Most Bizarre Bible Resurrections That Ever Happened!

There are many resurrections from the dead recorded in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Elijah raised a widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24). Also, the prophet Elisha raised Shunammite's son from the dead (2 Kings 4:18-37). There was even a case where a dead man was thrown into Elisha’s grave, and because he came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he was raised to life! (2 Kings 13:20-21).

In the New Testament, Jesus raised the widow’s son to life at Nain (Luke 7:11–17). He raised Jairus’ daughter to life (Luke 8:40–56). And He raised Lazarus back from the dead (John 11:39-44). Peter raised Tabitha back to life (Acts 9:36–43), and Paul raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:7–12). 

However, none of the above resurrections are as significant as the resurrection of Jesus. None even come close in importance. That's because His death on the cross was the sacrifice which forgave our sins, and His resurrection defeated death for us, giving us everlasting life. The other resurrections don't affect us, but for us believers, the resurrection of Jesus certainly does, in this life and in the life after death.

What I didn't mention yet is the episode involving the most bizarre resurrections that ever happened. These occurred during the time of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Let’s take a look.

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. (Matthew 27:50-53 NLT)

After Jesus resurrected, the bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead! What! Does the Bible give more detail about this? Maybe the other gospels talk more about it? The answer is no! This is it. I wished there was more. All we know is right here in just two sentences. 

Let’s break this down. At the moment when Jesus died, there was a massive disruption on the natural order of things. The curtain was torn, the earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs were broken opened. That is clear. What’s unclear is whether the people were raised to life at that moment, or at the moment when Jesus resurrected. 

Now comes the bizarre part. The people who were raised from the dead went into Jerusalem and appeared to many people! Can you imagine the chaos this caused? People saw people who had died come alive, walking into the city — maybe their friends — maybe their relatives. We will never know the details. 

One thing is for sure. Death was just defeated! Jesus was victorious over death! 

THE TAKE-AWAY

There's an illustrated lesson for us in this event. Maybe the real reason why these strange resurrections occurred is this: The resurrection of these righteous ones is a foreshadowing, a picture, of the resurrections of all believers. These raised people represent us as Christians. Because of the resurrection of Jesus they were raised. Because of the resurrection of Jesus we are raised. Death was defeated for them. Death is defeated for us. Jesus conquered death. We conquer death. And just like how they walked into Jerusalem, we will walk into the new Jerusalem (Heaven), to be united with other believers in heaven. This whole scene is an illustration of the promise that we have of eternal life through and because of Jesus.

Christianity is all about resurrection -- in this life and after this life. That’s because we are resurrected not just once, but twice!

1) We are Resurrected in this life, united with Jesus in Baptism.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.  (Romans 6:3-5 NIV)

Baptism is that point when we bury our old self (and our old ways) and rise up to walk into a new life with Jesus. It’s a washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). As the book of Romans says, through Christian baptism we are raised, resurrected, united with Jesus in a resurrection like His.

2) We are Resurrected after we die -- united with Jesus in Heaven.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25)

Yes, we have the promise of eternal life! And it's all because Jesus resurrected from the grave.