If you were to boil down Christian beliefs to just a few words, “He rose from the dead” captures it well. The resurrection is absolutely vital to the faith, yet both supporters and skeptics sometimes overlook this key aspect. When focusing on Jesus’ teachings and their relevance today, the fundamental historical question often fades into the background: Did Jesus, the Jewish leader executed by Romans around 33 AD, really rise again?
If this resurrection didn’t happen, Christianity would just be a collection of wise sayings. But, if it did happen, even the fiercest critics of Christianity would have to grapple with the implications. The statement, “He has risen,” is bold, almost bizarre, and it’s not surprising that some believers might downplay it as merely symbolic. However, a closer look at the facts makes it harder to dismiss the resurrection as just a story. Here are eight points to consider. Have a fulfilling Easter!
1. The tomb was genuinely empty.
If Jesus’ body remained in the tomb, the Christian movement would have likely fizzled out right away. It all began in Jerusalem only weeks after his crucifixion. If authorities had his body, they would have produced it. The historian Michael Grant noted that historians generally agree: the empty tomb is a significant point that can’t be overlooked. Even the earliest claims, which suggested that the disciples took the body, confirm that something was amiss—the tomb was indeed empty.
2. Women were the first witnesses, but they were considered unreliable.
All four Gospels agree that women discovered the empty tomb first. As scholar Bart D. Ehrman highlighted, this detail doesn’t align with the norms of that era, where women’s testimonies were often disregarded. A compelling narrative wouldn’t start with this.
3. Disciples’ actions otherwise lack meaning.
Before the resurrection, Jesus’ followers were frightened and in hiding. Yet, after the event, they boldly shared the news, even knowing it could lead to punishment or death. New Testament scholar E.P. Sanders opined on this: “It seems to me that the followers of Jesus had a genuine resurrection experience, although what really happened remains unclear.”
4. Early accounts are unlikely to be legends.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul shares an early statement about Jesus’ death and resurrection that predates the Gospels. This was recounted shortly after the events, leaving little time for the tales to morph into legends. There simply weren’t enough years for people to forget the details while living witnesses were still around to offer corrections.
5. There are multiple eyewitness accounts.
Numerous initial accounts exist, including the four detailed Gospel accounts. Richard Bauckham argues that the Gospels reflect actual eyewitness testimonies. Why? They contain named witnesses and consistent core details formed while these witnesses were still alive.
6. Skeptics transformed into believers.
Some of the most significant early Christians, including James and Paul, were initially not followers. Yet, figures like Ehrman agree that Paul genuinely believed in his encounter with the risen Jesus. Debate may continue about the nature of that encounter, but the experience itself is undeniable.
7. It spread rapidly where it could be contested.
Christianity didn’t gradually spread; it erupted in Jerusalem—the very location of Jesus’ execution, where claims could easily be verified or disproved. New Testament scholar Larry Hurtado demonstrated that early belief in the resurrected Jesus emerged much quicker than typical religious narratives would suggest.
8. The “pagan imitator” argument falters.
Some suggest that Christianity stole the idea of resurrection from pagan myths, like that of Mithras. Yet, these similarities crumble upon deeper investigation. The Mithraic stories involve themes of rebirth and salvation, but Mithras doesn’t actually resurrect after dying; rather, he creates life through another’s death.
Religious scholar Trygve N.D. Mettinger, who doesn’t promote Christianity, notes that while some ancient myths feature characters who die and return, none parallel the Jewish or Christian notion of bodily resurrection.
