The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most central and significant doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the event that transformed the world and redefined history. For Christians, the belief in the resurrection is not just an event from the past but an essential part of the hope for eternal life. Among the key phrases surrounding the resurrection, the phrase “on the third day He rose again” stands out prominently. It’s a phrase that encapsulates the fulfillment of prophecy, the confirmation of Jesus’ divinity, and the ultimate triumph over death.
The phrase “on the third day He rose again” is mentioned in several places in the New Testament. It is not only a historical fact but also a theological declaration that Christ’s resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. The number “three” holds significant spiritual meaning throughout the Bible, often symbolizing completeness, divine perfection, and fulfillment of God‘s plan.
In this article, we will explore 20 Bible verses related to the phrase “on the third day He rose again.” These verses will highlight the Old Testament prophecies, the words of Jesus Himself, and the gospel accounts of His resurrection. By understanding these verses, we can deepen our appreciation for the incredible significance of the third-day resurrection and what it means for Christians today.
1. Matthew 16:21 – Jesus Predicts His Resurrection
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
In Matthew 16:21, Jesus begins to explicitly predict His death and resurrection. He tells His disciples that He must be killed, but He does not stop there—He emphasizes that He will rise again on the third day. This statement marks the beginning of Jesus’ preparation of His followers for the events that would soon unfold.
2. Matthew 17:23 – Jesus’ Second Prediction
“They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
This is the second time Jesus predicts His death and resurrection. He mentions the third day again, a clear indication of the divine timing involved in His resurrection. The disciples, however, could not yet understand the gravity of His words, and their sorrow overtakes them.
3. Matthew 20:19 – Jesus’ Third Prediction
“and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life.”
This third prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection occurs as He prepares His disciples for the ultimate sacrifice. By reiterating the third-day resurrection, Jesus makes it clear that His death is not the end of the story.
4. Luke 9:22 – Jesus’ Foretelling of His Death and Resurrection
“And he said, ‘The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.'”
Here, Jesus further clarifies His mission and its divine purpose. The phrase “on the third day be raised to life” serves as a confirmation of God’s plan for redemption, showing that the resurrection is a necessary part of His purpose.
5. Mark 9:31 – Jesus’ Teaching on His Resurrection
“Because he was teaching his disciples, he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.'”
Mark provides a succinct but profound statement about Jesus’ resurrection. The clarity of the “three days” reinforces the idea that Jesus’ death and resurrection are part of a divine schedule, fulfilling the will of the Father.
6. Mark 10:34 – Jesus Explains His Death and Resurrection
“They will mock him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
This passage emphasizes the brutality of the suffering Jesus was about to endure. The mention of the “three days” highlights the transition from suffering to glory, from death to resurrection.
7. Luke 24:7 – The Angels Speak of the Resurrection
“‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'”
After Jesus’ death, when the women go to the tomb, the angels remind them of Jesus’ words. This verse emphasizes the prophetic nature of Jesus’ resurrection, showing that His rising again on the third day was always part of God’s plan.
8. Luke 24:46 – Jesus Confirms His Resurrection
“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.'”
In this verse, after His resurrection, Jesus speaks to His disciples, explaining that His suffering and rising on the third day were in fulfillment of Scripture. This underlines the theological importance of the third-day resurrection—it is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan.
9. John 2:19 – Jesus’ First Mention of His Resurrection
“Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.'”
Jesus’ statement about raising the temple in three days is initially misunderstood, but later, after His resurrection, the disciples understand that He was speaking about His own body. This marks the first recorded mention of the third-day resurrection in the Gospel of John.
10. Acts 10:40 – Peter Preaches the Resurrection
“But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.”
In his sermon to the Gentiles, Peter testifies to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. He highlights that Jesus was raised on the third day, confirming that this was a central truth in the early Christian message.
11. Acts 13:30-31 – Paul Proclaims the Resurrection
“But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.”
Paul, in his preaching to the people of Antioch, affirms the resurrection of Jesus, stating that He was raised on the third day. This is significant as it points to the continuity of the message of Christ’s resurrection from the Gospels to the Apostolic witness.
12. 1 Corinthians 15:4 – The Gospel of the Resurrection
“That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, sums up the gospel message: that Christ was buried and raised on the third day. This is a central theme in Paul’s theology and reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
13. Romans 6:9 – Christ’s Resurrection and Our New Life
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.”
While not directly mentioning the third day, this verse references the power of Christ’s resurrection, which occurred on the third day. It emphasizes the eternal victory over death that the resurrection signifies for believers.
14. Revelation 1:18 – Christ’s Triumph Over Death
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
This declaration by Jesus in Revelation speaks to His power over death. The victory He secured by rising on the third day gives Him authority over death and hell.
15. Hosea 6:2 – Old Testament Prophecy of Resurrection
“After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”
This Old Testament prophecy is often interpreted as pointing to the resurrection of Jesus. The “third day” symbolizes restoration, which is fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ.
16. Matthew 12:40 – Jesus and Jonah’s Sign
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Jesus Himself compares His time in the grave to Jonah’s time in the fish. The “three days” are symbolic of the time Jesus would spend in the tomb before His resurrection.
17. Matthew 28:6 – The Angel at the Tomb
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
The resurrection is confirmed by the angel at the tomb. The phrase “just as he said” reflects the fulfillment of Jesus’ own words about rising on the third day.
18. Mark 16:6 – The Resurrection Proclaimed
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.”
This declaration by the angel affirms the truth of the resurrection, underscoring that Jesus is no longer in the grave after the third day.
19. Luke 24:34 – The Disciples’ Testimony
“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
This is one of the early proclamations of the resurrection, which occurred on the third day. The disciples bear witness to the truth of Christ’s resurrection.
20. John 20:1-9 – The Discovery of the Empty Tomb
The resurrection of Jesus on the third day is the pivotal event that changed the course of history. The empty tomb stands as the ultimate confirmation that Jesus overcame death, and through His resurrection, He secured victory for all believers.
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus on the third day is not only an event that we commemorate during Easter but also the bedrock of Christian hope. The Bible presents multiple references and prophecies that emphasize the third-day resurrection, showing its central importance in God’s plan for salvation. Whether it is through the direct predictions of Jesus, the prophetic words of the Old Testament, or the testimonies of the apostles, the third-day resurrection is a moment of divine triumph, confirming that death is defeated and eternal life is available through Christ. As Christians, this truth is not just a historical fact but a source of present hope and future glory.
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