What Old Testament prophecies connect to the resurrection mentioned in Luke 24:5? Luke 24:5—The Spark for Remembering Ancient Promises “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”. The angels’ gentle rebuke nudges the women—and us—back to everything God had already said. Long before Easter morning, Scripture laid down a paper trail of resurrection hope. Core Old Testament Passages Pointing Directly to the Messiah’s Rising • Psalm 16:10—“For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” David’s confidence goes beyond his own grave; Peter (Acts 2:25-32) and Paul (Acts 13:34-37) both cite this psalm as an explicit forecast of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. • Isaiah 53:10-12—“He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days… after He has poured out His life unto death.” The Servant dies, yet lives again to divide the spoils—resurrection embedded in the very heart of the atonement prophecy. • Hosea 6:2—“After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.” A corporate promise to Israel that foreshadows the Messiah’s third-day victory. • Isaiah 25:8—“He will swallow up death forever.” Paul grabs this verse in 1 Corinthians 15:54 to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over the grave. • Psalm 22:21-22—“Save Me from the horns of the wild oxen. I will proclaim Your name to my brothers.” Crucifixion agonies (vv. 1-18) give way to post-death praise—another resurrection glimpse. • Psalm 2:7—“You are My Son; today I have begotten You.” Acts 13:33 applies this royal coronation language to resurrection morning, when the Son is declared alive in power. Prophetic Pictures and Types That Anticipate the Third-Day Miracle • Jonah 1:17—Three days in the fish; Jesus cites this as the “sign of Jonah” (Matthew 12:40), a living parable of burial and return to life. • Genesis 22—Isaac effectively receives his life back “on the third day” (v. 4) when the ram is provided, foreshadowing the Father’s sacrifice and restoration of the true Son. • Leviticus 23:10-11—The Firstfruits sheaf is waved “the day after the Sabbath.” Jesus rises that very morning, becoming “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Individual Statements of Personal Resurrection Hope • Job 19:25-27—“I know that my Redeemer lives… in my flesh I will see God.” Job’s confidence fits the wider biblical expectation embodied in Christ. • Psalm 71:20—“Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, You will restore my life again.” • Psalm 118:17—“I will not die, but live, and proclaim what the LORD has done.” Sung by pilgrims each Passover—and fulfilled in the Passover Lamb Himself. How These Prophecies Converge in Luke 24 • The angels assume the women should already know: the Scriptures had spelled out both suffering and rising (Luke 24:25-27). • Every line above funnels into the empty tomb—promises, types, festivals, and psalms all pointing to one blazing truth: the Messiah must live again. • Because Scripture cannot fail (John 10:35), every ancient word stands vindicated as Jesus walks out of the grave. Living Implications Drawn from the Prophetic Thread • Certainty—The resurrection rests on centuries of divine pledge, not sudden wishful thinking. • Clarity—Old and New Testaments form one continuous witness; prophecy and fulfillment lock together. • Hope—If God kept these promises in Christ, He will keep every remaining promise to us. The angels’ question still echoes: since Scripture foretold a living Savior, let’s seek Him where He is—alive, reigning, and guaranteed to raise all who trust Him. |
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