What other scriptures reinforce the message of resurrection found in 1 Corinthians 15:36? The Seed Must Die to Live “You fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36) Jesus Declares the Resurrection • John 11:25-26 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.’” • John 5:28-29 – “All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” • Matthew 22:31-32 – “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” • John 12:24 – “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Old Testament Anticipations • Job 19:25-27 – “Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” • Isaiah 26:19 – “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise.” • Daniel 12:2 – “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life.” • Hosea 13:14 – “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death.” Paul Amplifies the Theme • Romans 6:5 – “If we have been united with Him in His death, we will certainly also be raised to life as He was.” • Romans 8:11 – “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.” • 2 Corinthians 4:14 – “The One who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus.” • Philippians 3:20-21 – “He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:14 – “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” Peter, John, and the Final Word • 1 Peter 1:3-4 – “New birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” • Revelation 20:6 – “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.” How the Verses Tie Back to 1 Corinthians 15:36 • The seed image (John 12:24) mirrors Paul’s “what you sow” analogy. • Jesus’ own resurrection promises (John 11) guarantee ours—exactly Paul’s point. • Old-Testament prophets show that bodily resurrection has always been God’s plan. • Paul’s other letters echo the certainty of a transformed, glorified body. • Peter and John confirm that resurrection culminates in eternal reign with Christ. Living It Out Because the seed must die before it lives, every burial of a believer is a planting, not a final farewell. The same power that raised Jesus is already pledged to raise us, making every day a step toward certain, bodily, everlasting life. |
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