What Old Testament prophecies align with Jesus' resurrection claim in Matthew 27:63? The Resurrection Claim in Matthew 27:63 “Sir, we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ” The leaders knew Jesus had promised a literal, bodily rising on the third day. That promise stands on a rich Old Testament foundation. Direct Resurrection Prophecies • Psalm 16:10 – “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see decay.” • Peter (Acts 2:25-32) and Paul (Acts 13:34-37) both confirm this speaks of Messiah’s body escaping corruption. • Isaiah 53:10-11 – “...He will see His offspring, prolong His days... After the anguish of His soul, He shall see the light of life and be satisfied.” • The Servant dies as a guilt offering yet afterward “prolongs His days.” • 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.” • Applied first to Israel’s restoration, the wording anticipates Messiah’s third-day victory and the life His people share. Three-Day Patterns and Prophetic Hints • Jonah 1:17; 2:6 – swallowed for “three days and three nights,” then brought up: “You raised my life from the pit, O LORD my God!” • Jesus identifies this as “the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 12:39-40). • Genesis 22 – Isaac effectively “received back” from death on the third day of Abraham’s journey (Hebrews 11:19). • Exodus 19:11 – God descends on Sinai “on the third day,” previewing divine revelation after a period of waiting. These recurring third-day moments prepare readers to expect decisive, life-giving action by God on that timetable. Messianic Typology Foreshadowing Resurrection • Joseph – presumed dead, later revealed alive and exalted (Genesis 37-45). • David – repeatedly delivered from death, ultimately writing Psalm 16 by the Spirit. • The Passover Lamb – slain at twilight yet Israel walks into new life the next day (Exodus 12-14), mirroring death followed by deliverance. Threads Tied Together in Jesus • He cites Jonah (Matthew 12:40) and Psalm 118:22-23 (Matthew 21:42) to show Scripture’s trajectory toward His victory. • Luke 24:46 – “Thus it is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.” Jesus claims the entirety of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms foretold the timetable and reality of His resurrection. • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Paul summarizes the gospel “according to the Scriptures” with both the atoning death and the third-day resurrection. The Old Testament doesn’t merely allow for resurrection; it anticipates it. Matthew 27:63 echoes promises God embedded centuries earlier, now fulfilled in the risen Christ. |
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