The resurrection of Jesus the Nazarene is still being discussed, debated, and decreed by billions of people. Atheists and agnostics continue to argue with Christian apologists over its legitimacy. Skeptics evangelize their unbelief and Christians do their best to keep pace with an increasingly hostile world.
Was the resurrection of Jesus hype, a hoax, or a holy moment?
There is ample evidence available to suggest that the resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. Over 500 witnesses confessed to the resurrection and none were disputed. His body was never recovered. Literary corroboration is abundant. Jesus is alive.
In this post, I will provide seven reasons why I believe that the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is a historical fact.
Christianity Hinges on the Resurrection
I Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
The resurrection of Christ is of utmost importance. The remission of sins is contingent upon it. We don’t force the evidence, however. There is adequate evidence available to prove that the resurrection of Christ was a historical and holy e
Prophecies Fulfilled
The statistical probability of Messianic prophesies being fulfilled is improbable. Various scholars, mathematicians, and statisticians have done the heavy lifting. The odds that one person could fulfill just eight of the hundreds of prophecies about Jesus of Nazareth is 1:1,00,000,000,000,000,000 (here’s the math).
Here are eight messianic predictions around the crucifixion and resurrection.
| Event Foretold | Prophecy | Fulfillment |
| Jesus was silent during his trial | Isaiah 53:7 | Matthew 27:14 |
| Jesus forsaken | Psalm 22:1 | Matthew 27:46 |
| Jesus’ heart was ruptured | Psalm 22:14 | John 19:34 |
| Crucifixion before it was invented | Psalm 22:16 | John 20:25 |
| Cast lots for His clothing | Psalm 22:18 | Luke 23:34 |
| Sour wine for thirst given on the cross | Psalm 69:21 | John 19:28-30 |
| Betrayed by Judas for 30 silver pieces | Zechariah 11:12-13 | Matthew 27:3-10 |
| Jesus’ bones were not broken | Psalm 34:20 | John 19:33 |
Yes, I am brazenly presupposing that the Bible is historically accurate. My proof of that is a different article for a different day.
Women Reported The Resurrection
A woman’s testimony was disregarded during the time of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The disciples of Jesus were hiding, sulking, and ignoring everything Jesus told them about this scenario. Mary and her gang were way ahead of Peter and company in believing in the resurrection.
Mark was Peter’s interpreter. He essentially wrote his gospel based on Peter’s first-hand knowledge. When a person includes embarrassing facts about a historical event it gives the story additional believability. It’s known as the criterion of embarrassment.
Ironically, having the women appear first on the scene gives the event additional credibility. Instead of discrediting it, it provides another layer of proof.
Authors typically exclude embarrassing details about themselves. If the entire story was a sham, uncomfortable details would have been excluded.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Resurrected Jesus
I often wondered why many books of the Bible mention eyewitness accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. The resurrection, in my view, was a settled fact. Good thing I wasn’t one of the early writers.
Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Luke 1:2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
I Corinthians 15:6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
Luke 24:31-32 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Eyewitnesses, unless they’ve been discredited, are believed in a court of law. Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, was specific when he said over 500 and many are still alive. He was issuing a challenge to the skeptics and the naysayers.
Let’s not forget the other eyewitnesses that were not specifically mentioned in scripture. Many witnessed the crucifixion and guards were present.
Jesus Was All Dead (For Real)
Fezzik and Inigo traveled to see Miracle Max. They were in need of a miracle. The only person who could help them, Westley (aka The Dread Pirate Roberts), was dead. They wanted to see if Max could cure The Dread Pirate Roberts.
Max informed the two friends that Westley was not “all the way dead” so there was some hope.
Jesus was all the way dead. The so-called Swoon Theory posits that Jesus fainted because of excruciating pain and blood loss but didn’t die.
Regrettably, when enemies of the cross make an accusation it’s immediately received with open arms. Christians are supposed to be good sheep and not push back against weak theories.
Let’s detail what happened to Jesus:
He was scourged. That doesn’t sound too bad, right? He would have been tied to a whipping post and beat with a whip. These whips were constructed as instruments of torture. The whip would attach itself to the person and then be pulled away ripping flesh as it was pulled.
The soldiers hit Him over the head with a reed. A crown of thorns was then pounded on His head. Then, He was compelled to carry His cross (about 165 pounds) for up to three hours.
Jesus was so weak after scourging that He was unable to carry His cross.
His hands and feet were spiked to the cross. This torture device was designed to minimize the ability to breathe. In order to take a breath, one would need to go through a painful machination.
Then a soldier pierced His side. Water and blood flowed freely.
Yet, H.E.G Paulus wants us to believe that Jesus put some Bactine on His wounds and fully recuperated in three days.
The Empty Tomb
The tomb was empty when the ladies showed up.
Neither the Jewish rulers nor the Romans were able to provide the body of Christ.
The disciples stole the body.
Matthew 28:12-13 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’
I guess they could have but how could they make Him appear alive to over 500 different persons?
The empty tomb is indisputable.
Why Do Many Reject The Evidence
Many people are deeply entrenched in error. They are heavily invested in their errant positions. Pride is a huge factor.
We must never attempt to embarrass people. We must remain gracious, kind, and respectful. Here’s an article that I wrote about kindness.
We’re not winning arguments or debates. It’s much bigger than that.
The resurrection of Christ is a holy moment.