Q: Matthew records that bodies of saints who had died were resurrected at Jesus’ death, and seen entering Jerusalem. Did they then ascend to heaven like Jesus or die again like Lazarus?

A: In the “Night of the Living Dead,” chaos descended in rural Pennsylvania as ravenous zombies relentlessly stalked terrified human beings. That’s not the picture Matthew gives us. After Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded His spirit, “the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who were deceased were raised. Coming out of their tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.” (Mat 27:52)

The information we have concerning this particular event is limited, so I believe it would be wrong to be dogmatic about details. (See Deut 29:29.) Many bible discussion groups have pondered the possibilities. I believe that’s alright as long as we do not draw hard lines on vague issues. It can be fun to consider what viable options may fit the Scriptures, but this puzzle may not be explicitly clarified until heaven.

With all that said, one key clue is the word, “after.” These people who had experienced death were seen resurrected after Jesus Himself had first been resurrected. When we read in Corinthians, we discover “Christ has been raised from the dead, as the first fruits of those who have died.” and continues “But each in his own order.”

(1 Corinthians 15:20 and 23).

Lazarus was previously raised in a physical body only to die again. (See John 11.) Nobody who died in faith prior to Messiah’s death got their new, supernatural, resurrected body until Jesus was resurrected in His body first. He is the first. After being crucified and offered up as the Passover Lamb on the very feast of Passover, He was then resurrected on the very Feast of First Fruits.

Because of this Scripture, I believe there could be validity to your assumption, that these resurrected people may have appeared in Jerusalem in their new, supernatural bodies which will never die again. Scripture only declares they appeared. It doesn’t say they hung around.

People who died as believers in the Old Testament didn’t go directly to heaven until Jesus was sacrificed as the Lamb of God. (See Luke 16:19‑31.) Jesus is the answer to Isaac’s question to Abraham, “where is the lamb for the offering?” (Gen 22:7) Paul records that Jesus descended after His death, then ascended with a host of captives. (See Eph 4:8‑9). I believe these people mentioned in Ephesians are the folks who appeared in Jerusalem.

The big question is what are you banking your resurrection on? Is it wishful thinking or hopeful assumptions? Check the Scriptures and see He is risen. Take the sure thing by giving yourself to Jesus Christ.

John 11:25