The Resurrection of Jesus – What Most People Miss (KJV)

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

Most Christians know that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, and we celebrate it every Easter. But tucked within the pages of the King James Bible are fascinating details about the resurrection that are often overlooked. Let’s explore some of these lesser-known truths that give deeper meaning and power to this world-changing event.

1. Other Dead Saints Rose With Jesus – And Walked Into Jerusalem

Matthew 27:52-53 (KJV)

“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”

This stunning passage is often skipped over in Easter sermons. After Jesus’ resurrection, many holy people who had died were resurrected as well! Not just spiritually, but physically – they walked into the city and appeared to many.

Think about the implications: Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t just about one man conquering death. It unleashed a wave of resurrection power. This was a preview of what’s to come for all believers at the final resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

2. The Stone Was Rolled Away – But Not for Jesus

Matthew 28:2 (KJV)

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.”

Jesus didn’t need the stone rolled away to leave the tomb. In His glorified body, He could pass through walls (see John 20:19). The angel didn’t roll back the stone to let Jesus out – he rolled it back to let us see in! The resurrection is not something Jesus needed proof of. We do. The open tomb is for our faith.

3. Jesus Folded the Napkin – A Sign to Israel?

John 20:7 (KJV)

“And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.”

This small detail is easy to miss, but Jewish readers might catch the cultural meaning. In Jewish tradition, a folded napkin at the dinner table meant “I am coming back” – it signaled that the person wasn’t finished and would return. Could this be Jesus’ way of saying, “I’m not done yet”? His return is coming. He has unfinished business on earth.

4. Jesus Appeared First to a Woman – Breaking All Expectations

Mark 16:9 (KJV)

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene…”

In a culture where women’s testimony wasn’t even valid in court, Jesus chose Mary Magdalene as His first witness. This shattered cultural norms and confirmed the truth of Galatians 3:28 – “there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” God doesn’t follow human traditions. He chooses the humble, the devoted, and the faithful.

5. Jesus’ Body Wasn’t Recognized at First – Why?

Luke 24:16 (KJV)

“But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”

After the resurrection, Jesus’ glorified body was different, yet the same. Mary thought He was a gardener (John 20:15), and the disciples on the road to Emmaus didn’t recognize Him until He broke bread (Luke 24:30-31). This hints at the mystery of our glorified bodies in the resurrection to come (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

6. The Resurrection Changed the Sabbath – But How?

While the commandment to keep the Sabbath (Saturday) was never abolished, early Christians began worshiping on Sunday, the “first day of the week,” because that’s the day Christ rose (Mark 16:2). This became known as “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). It didn’t replace the Sabbath – it became a celebration of the Resurrection. Every Sunday is Resurrection Day!

7. Jesus Had to Rise to Be Your Advocate

Romans 4:25 (KJV)

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

The death of Jesus paid for our sins. But His resurrection justified us – meaning He rose to make us right before God. If Jesus stayed dead, there’d be no one to present His sacrifice on our behalf in heaven. But now, He stands as our High Priest and Advocate before the Father (Hebrews 7:25).

Final Thought: The Resurrection is Not Just History – It’s Prophecy

Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t just an event to look backward to – it points forward to our own resurrection. As Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 15:20 (KJV)

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”

Firstfruits implies there’s more harvest to come – and that harvest is us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will one day raise every believer (Romans 8:11). The resurrection is our future, and Jesus is the proof.

He is risen. He is alive. And because He lives, you shall live also.

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