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Resurrection of Jesus (Easter)
the third day (Easter Sunday)· Event· Bible story & events
Faith & scriptureHeld by believers on faith and scripture; history can neither confirm nor rule it out.
Christians believe that on the third day after his death God raised Jesus bodily from the tomb, the event Easter celebrates.
See it on the Bible & Christianity map →What it is
The Gospels tell how women, led by Mary Magdalene, find the tomb empty on Sunday morning and hear 'He has risen; he is not here' (Mark 16:6). Jesus then appears to his followers in Jerusalem and Galilee, eats with them and shows his wounds (Luke 24; John 20–21). Paul's list, written about AD 54, names appearances to Peter, the Twelve, 'more than 500' at once, James, and finally himself (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).
Why it matters
Without it there is no Christianity: Paul wrote that if Christ was not raised 'your faith is futile' (1 Corinthians 15:17). Easter is the oldest Christian feast; Orthodox and Western churches often date it differently.
Faith and history
History cannot confirm a miracle. Most historians, believing and skeptical, accept that Jesus' followers sincerely believed they had seen him alive, and that this launched the movement. Paul's letters are the earliest record, about 20 years later.
Questions and debates
Explanations divide sharply: a bodily resurrection (traditional faith), visions or grief experiences (many skeptics), or a wrong or emptied tomb (few). Mark's oldest manuscripts end at 16:8 with no appearance.
Inside this (2)
Connections (4)
▸Crucifixion of Jesus under Pontius Pilate was followed, Christians believe, by Resurrection of Jesus (Easter)Faith & scripture
The connection
The Gospels say Jesus was buried on Friday evening and his tomb found empty early Sunday, 'the third day' by ancient counting, which includes both the first and last days. His followers, scattered and afraid at the arrest, became convinced he was alive and within weeks were proclaiming him openly.
When and where
Jerusalem, Friday to Sunday of Passover week, about AD 30 or 33; Christians mark it each Holy Week, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
How do we know?
The death is historical; the resurrection is a faith claim. Most historians accept that the disciples sincerely believed they had seen him, as Paul records within about 20 years.
Questions and debates
What happened between Friday and Sunday is the great divide: believers affirm a bodily resurrection; skeptics propose visions, a mistaken tomb or legend. History cannot settle it.
▸Mary Magdalene was, the Gospels say, the first witness of Resurrection of Jesus (Easter)Faith & scripture
The connection
All four Gospels put Mary Magdalene first, or among the first, at the empty tomb on Sunday. In John 20:11–18 she meets the risen Jesus, mistakes him for the gardener, recognizes him when he says her name, and tells the disciples, 'I have seen the Lord'.
When and where
A tomb in a garden outside Jerusalem, at dawn on Sunday, about AD 30 or 33; Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20.
How do we know?
Many scholars think women as first witnesses is likely historical: women's testimony counted for little then, so the church would hardly have invented it.
Questions and debates
Paul's list of appearances (1 Corinthians 15:5) names Peter first and leaves out the women; why is debated. Mark's earliest ending (16:8) has the women flee and say nothing.
▸Resurrection of Jesus (Easter) was followed by The Great Commission and the AscensionFaith & scripture
The connection
In Matthew the risen Jesus meets the Eleven on a mountain in Galilee and sends them out: 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations'. In Acts he appears over 40 days, teaching about God's kingdom, then ascends near Jerusalem, promising the Spirit's power for their mission.
When and where
Galilee (Matthew 28:16–20) and the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:3–12), in the weeks after Easter, about AD 30 or 33.
How do we know?
Only Christian scripture records it. Historians note that the earliest followers did launch a mission, first to Jews and soon to Gentiles.
Questions and debates
Scholars debate whether a command to reach 'all nations' came from Jesus or reflects later experience, since Acts shows the apostles slow to accept Gentiles (Acts 10–11).
▸Letters of Paul (epistles) give the earliest written testimony to Resurrection of Jesus (Easter)Historical record
The connection
In 1 Corinthians 15, written about AD 54, Paul passes on a creed he had 'received': Christ died, was buried, was raised on the third day, then appeared to Peter, the Twelve, more than 500, James and finally Paul. This predates any Gospel by 15 years or more.
When and where
Written from Ephesus about AD 54 to the church at Corinth; the creed itself probably goes back to the 30s.
Historical evidence
Nearly all scholars accept 1 Corinthians as Paul's; its wording ('received', 'delivered') marks an older formula, perhaps learned in Jerusalem about AD 36.
Questions and debates
Paul does not explicitly mention an empty tomb and lists his own vision alongside the others; whether he meant a physical or a 'spiritual body' (15:44) is debated.