Bible glossary

What Does ‘Resurrection’ Mean in the Bible?

Resurrection is being raised bodily from death to new and unending life: for Jesus in history, and for His people as the promised hope.

Resurrection is not a ghostly survival of the soul but the rising of the whole person to life again, body and all. The Bible's central claim is that Jesus, truly dead, was truly raised on the third day, leaving an empty tomb and appearing to many.

This is the hinge of the Christian faith. Because Jesus rose, death is shown to be defeated rather than final, and His resurrection becomes the pattern and promise for all who belong to Him: they too will be raised.

Key verses

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
John 11:25

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
1 Corinthians 15:20

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”
1 Corinthians 15:55