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The graves were opened...and many bodies of the saints were raised.

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Samson:

--- Quote from: Rob M on January 24, 2012, 07:39:53 AM ---
--- Quote from: Mbongiseni on January 24, 2012, 01:37:31 AM ---Hi All

I have some difficulty trying to figure out whether this part of the story is indeed inspired, which is given by Matthew in chapter 27 v50-53  "And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.Matthew seems to be the only one who witnessed such an event. Who did these 'sants' appear to and where did they disappear to?

Mbo

--- End quote ---
A friend of mine who is a non believer, always cites this passage when arguing  if events of the Bible actually happened. From his point of view, how come no one but Matthew bothered to record this event...here are previous dead people walking around the city, appeared to many, yet the only evidence this happened is from the Bible. I can see his point of view. My point of view is, if this event did not take place, then my faith is in vain..which of course to him is a weak argument.

--- End quote ---

Hi Rob,

I guess your friend doesn't realize that all of the Gospel Accounts don't have to mention every detail that other ones don't mention for the actual event to have taken place. The Key to believing this passage is believing in The Resurrection, as mentioned in Marques Post, some recorded Resurrections took place prior to that event. If God doesn't open up your Friend's eyes to Spiritually see, He ain't gonna believe it, as you probably already know, it's just the way it is.

Kind Regards, Samson.

Rob M:
I agree with you Samson...he is always looking for sources outside of the Bible that these events occured. Not to say that he doesen't believe in some events that are recorded in the Bible, but he's more apt to believe if there is more than one source for a particular claim.

Craig:
It seems to me that if dead people came into a city and started walking around then it would have made pretty big news in those days.  But as far as I know the only account is Mathew.  When I consider the words of scripture I look for another scriptural witness of a truth and I don't see one in this account. 

It doesn't bother me one way or the other but I consider it spurious or a mistranslation.  If someone wants to only consider one verse to be able to completely throw away scripture then so be it, there are plenty enough in our translations for them to hang their hats on.

Craig

John from Kentucky:
Much information was lost and destroyed with the destruction of Jerusalem and adjacent lands.

Titus destroyed the city and Temple in 70 A.D.  Sixty-five years later in 135 A.D. the Emperor Hadrian destroyed the city again, which was possibly even a greater destruction.

The destruction was so great that even the exact location of the Temple is unknown.  The Temple was the central structure in Jerusalem; however, even today no human knows the location of the Temple.  Even the Jews lost this information.

In fact, it is a good possibility, that what everyone calls the Temple Mount today is actually the site of Fortress Antonia, the headquarters of the Roman government and legion.  The actual location of the Temple may be slightly south of the "Temple Mount", built directly over the Gihon Spring.  No one (except God) can prove beyond doubt the exact location of the Temple.

This could be an excellent joke from God.  Three major religions think the Temple Mount is a holy place and it could have been the location of the Roman government.   ;D ;D ;D

The point is---much, much historical information was lost.  The only completely reliable information we have is preserved in the scriptures, which was kept for us by the Power of God.

Kat:

Good point John.

Mbo about your comment;


--- Quote ---Let me admit these bodies were resurrected together with Jesus Christ...But why is it cited as an event that took place at Jesus's death when he gave his spirit? Verse 51 start thus ' Then,...the veil of the temple was torn in two ...and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened...and many bodies ...

If I get it the earthquake Matthew is describing happened during Christ's resurrection yet he combies these events as if they all happened simulteneously whils he is watching.
--- End quote ---

All punctuation was put in by the translator and as I have transcribed some of Ray's audios I can tell you, where punctuation is placed can make a huge difference. So in these verses I think that mainly it is just the order of events that happened.

Mat 27:51-53 And lo! the curtain of the temple is rent in two from above to the bottom, and the earth quaked, and the rocks are rent,  and the tombs were opened. And many bodies of the reposing saints were roused, and, coming out of the tombs after His rousing, they entered into the holy city and are disclosed to many." (CLV)

So the curtain and graves were rent/opened by this earthquake, this is understood to be when Jesus died. But I noticed that at least the Concordant did put a period after that, so in that translation it is the start of the next sentence that the dead did rise. Now since I believe this is giving the order of events, it certainly could have been a period of time between when the graves wer rent opened by the earthquake and then, a little later, they actually were raised "after" His resurrection, which they Scripture does plainly state.
Just thought I would mention what I thought about this concerning your comment.

mercy, peace and love
Kat

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