Easter Continued: Statements in Matthew related to resurrection and more


It is important to note: The two main religious divisions of Judaism in Jesus' time were the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The Sadducees did NOT believe in resurrection and life after death. They also did not believe in spirits or souls.

The Pharisees believed in resurrection and spirits. They believed a final resurrection would occur "at the end of days", apparently not at your death or in the near-time.

Resurrection is not something new and not just associated with Jesus. In addition to the Pharisees the concept is rooted in various theologies in different ways. One well known reference is to the Phoenix rising from the ashes. The Phoenix story is found in Egyptian and Greek AND JEWISH stories.

This post will key on references in Matthew regarding resurrection and the relation to spirits.

Chap 9: v18: "...he said, 'Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.'...and the girl got up.' "

Chap 16: v21: "...and be killed, and on the third day be raised."

Chap 17: v3: "Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him."

and v5: "...a voice said 'This is my son, the Beloved, with him I am well pleased...."

v:22: "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed...and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised."

Chap 20: 17-19: "...the Son of Man ...will be crucified; and on the third day he will be raised."

Chap 22: 29-33: "For in the resurrection they...are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not God of the dead, but of the living."

Chap 28:6-7 "He is not here for he has been raised...He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him...Suddenly Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' "

 It is very interesting, and I think important to note: "Mary Magadalene and the other Mary" recognized Jesus as soon as they saw him and heard him say "Greetings!" And, not so important but interesting: "..for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it." I have added the italics for emphasis.



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