The Early Resurrection

In Matthew 27:51-53, an often overlooked event occurs right after the death of Christ.

Here’s how the passage reads:

“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” (ESV)

Duccio, 1308-11

My favorite commentary on the subject comes from Pastor David Petersen. He explains how he likes to think that creation and these saints “jumped the gun”. They recognized the cosmic significance of the event and thought, “well this has got to be it! Time to rise!” It’s almost a playful take, that God allowed them to rise early just to realize there was still more to his redemptive story.

The playful, maybe even humorous part of the story almost seems like comic relief. I can see the still scared and confused faithful followers of Jesus still mourning his death—or maybe they heard rumors of his resurrection by now—but either way you have these Old Testament Saints show up like, “uh, excuse me, we’re here for the eternal party…we were told there’d be wine…”

If there is a playfulness to this nugget in the Gospel story, we shouldn’t be surprised. This is the same God who gave the disciples a tax payment via the mouth of a random fish. Jesus anti-climatically forgives the sins of the paralytic first, as if that’s what they wanted all along, before actually healing him. John tells us three times that he outruns Peter to the tomb on Easter morning. Jesus curses a fig tree because it doesn’t have fruit, even though it wasn’t even the season for figs. The disciples later find it withered, and the entire episode has a strange, almost playful quality. It’s as if the fig tree becomes a living parable, an unexpected object lesson in faith and fruitfulness.

I find the “early resurrection” in a similar camp, highlighting the sheer magnitude of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. The idea that creation itself and these Old Testament saints were so attuned to the significance of what was happening that they "jumped the gun" and rose prematurely is both playful and profound.

This perspective emphasizes the anticipation of redemption that all creation has been groaning for, as Paul describes in Romans 8:22: “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” It's as if these saints, having awaited the Messiah's coming, were so eager to join in the fulfillment of God's plan that they couldn't wait any longer. Their premature resurrection serves as a reminder that Christ’s death and resurrection are the turning point of history, with cosmic repercussions reaching back into the past and forward into the future.

The idea that God allowed this "early rising" of the saints adds a touch of divine humor and grace to the narrative. It reflects the overflowing nature of God's redemptive work—so powerful that even those who were supposed to wait for the final resurrection couldn’t help but respond immediately after Jesus drove a spike through the serpent’s head after having a spike driven through his hands and feet on the cross.

There was and is still more to the story, more to be accomplished, before the ultimate fulfillment of all things. We see it in Revelation as the serpent gets destroyed and Christ returns to usher in a New Heaven and a New Earth. There is still more to be fulfilled, both today, on the last day, and into eternity. I imagine one day we’ll get to share a glass of wine with one of these unnamed saints on the New Earth, and it’ll be one heck of a story.

“So I wake up feeling better than ever. I climb out of my tomb, go into Jerusalem, and I go up to this poor lady who is clearly scared and confused—and keep in mind, she has no idea that Jesus just defeated sin, death, and the power of the devil, and I don’t blame her. I wouldn’t have understood it all at that point either, I’m sure. So, trying to be respectful and formal, I quote Isaiah and ask, “do you know the way to the feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined?”

I guess I was glowing or something, because she freezes and then gives me this look of sheer confusion, and then she slowly backs away without saying a word, turns around, and runs.”

Although I have additional speculation on the subject, I am pretty sure these saints are now in heaven, still excitedly looking forward to the New Heaven and New Earth. Whatever the case, the “early resurrection” serves as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ and the anticipation of the final resurrection, when the fullness of God’s redemptive plan will be realized. It’s a beautiful, hopeful, and even joyful way to reflect on the mystery of God's timing and the power of Christ’s victory over death.

Like the early risers, we too have risen from our death to sin through faith in Christ. Through our baptism we have been crucified with Christ and raised with him. We too await the eternal feast, but for now we get a foretaste when we partake in his body and blood at the Eucharist. We, as his holy priesthood here on earth, are called to proclaim the good news of his death and resurrection until he returns. We do this through both the proclamation of the Gospel and through good works in service to our neighbors, giving glory to God through both.

I’ll leave you with the last two stanzas of the Francis Scott Key hymn, “Before You Lord We Bow”. The author of our National Anthem’s text also understood the earth shattering importance of the resurrection. If you don’t yet know Key’s imperishable joy given to him through faith in Christ Jesus—one who is now in heaven with his savior eagerly awaiting the resurrection—consider this an invitation:

4. Earth, hear your Maker’s voice;

Your great Redeemer own;

Believe, obey, rejoice,

And worship Him alone.

Cast down your pride,

Your sin deplore,

And bow before

The Crucified.

5. And when in pow’r He comes,

Oh, may our native land

From all its rending tombs

Send forth a glorious band,

A countless throng,

With joy to sing

To heav’n’s high King

Salvation’s song!