Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:52

What does Matthew 27:52 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:52 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:52 means

The tombs were opened and many bodies of saints who had died were raised. This astonishing event indicates that Jesus’ death and imminent resurrection are linked to the renewal of creation and the firstfruits of resurrection hope. The raising of ‘many’ holy people anticipates the general resurrection and symbolizes the life-giving effect of Christ’s death. It provides a foretaste of the power released by Christ’s atonement, showing that death is not the final word for God’s people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the resting-places of the dead came open; and the bodies of a number of sleeping saints came to life;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who have fallen asleep, arose,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the graves were opened: and many bodies of the saints that had slept arose,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints fallen asleep arose,

Context

This verse follows the cosmic disturbances at Jesus’ death (v. 51) and develops the resurrection motif by reporting saints raised from their tombs. It prepares verse 53’s detail that these raised ones entered the holy city after Jesus’ resurrection, connecting his death and resurrection with broader eschatological hope.

v.51And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;

v.52This passage

v.53and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:20

    But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:14

    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:10

    who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

  • Isaiah 26:19

    Thy dead shall live; my dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth the dead.

  • Daniel 12:2

    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

  • John 5:25

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

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