The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christian faith, celebrated as a victory over sin and death. Central to this glorious event is the truth that Jesus rose on the third day, fulfilling prophetic promises and providing hope for believers. The phrase “Jesus rose on the third day” is a key element of the Gospel message, signifying the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. This miraculous event not only validates Jesus’ divine nature but also assures all who believe in Him of eternal life.
In this article, we will explore the biblical foundation for the belief that Jesus rose on the third day. Through examining 27 key Bible verses that highlight this significant event, we will gain a deeper understanding of the theological importance and the hope it brings to the lives of Christians. These scriptures affirm the prophecy, the historical reality, and the spiritual implications of Christ’s resurrection.
The Significance of Jesus Rising on the Third Day
The resurrection of Jesus on the third day is mentioned in several places in the New Testament, fulfilling the prophecies made in the Old Testament and by Jesus Himself. It serves as a pivotal moment in Christian doctrine, confirming the truth of Jesus’ claims about His identity as the Son of God and the Messiah. Jesus’ resurrection also provides believers with the assurance of their own future resurrection and eternal life in Christ.
The concept of the third day is rich with theological meaning. It is a day of divine completion and fulfillment, marking the moment when death was conquered and eternal life was offered. The “third day” became symbolic not only of Jesus’ resurrection but also of God’s pattern of working in the world — often bringing life, deliverance, and redemption after periods of death, darkness, or waiting.
27 Bible Verses About Jesus Rising on the Third Day
1. Matthew 16:21
“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 this verse, Jesus directly foretells His death and resurrection, emphasizing the significance of the third day in God’s plan of salvation.
2. Matthew 17:23
“They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.”
And the disciples were filled with grief.
Here, Jesus predicts His resurrection once again, ensuring His disciples that His death is not the end but the beginning of a greater victory.
3. Matthew 20:19
“They will hand Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day He will be raised to life.”
Jesus explicitly states that He will rise on the third day, foretelling the exact time frame of His resurrection.
4. Matthew 26:32
“But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
This verse points to the promise that after His resurrection, Jesus will appear to His disciples, continuing His ministry.
5. Mark 8:31
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.”
Mark emphasizes Jesus’ clear teaching on the necessity of His death and the guarantee of His resurrection after three days.
6. Mark 9:31
“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.’”
Jesus makes it known to His disciples that His death and resurrection are integral to His mission and purpose on earth.
7. Mark 10:34
“Who will mock Him and spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him. Three days later He will rise.”
Jesus’ prediction is consistent, affirming the third-day resurrection as a divine promise.
8. Luke 9:22
“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.’”
Luke echoes the prediction of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection on the third day, showing how consistent and certain this prophecy is.
9. Luke 18:33
“They will flog Him and kill Him. On the third day He will rise again.”
The third-day resurrection is emphasized once again, reinforcing the theme of hope after sorrow.
10. Luke 24:7
“The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”
This verse highlights the necessity of the resurrection, confirming Jesus’ words and the divine timetable.
11. Luke 24:46
“He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.’”
Here, Jesus refers to the prophecies in Scripture, showing how His resurrection fulfills the Old Testament predictions.
12. John 2:19
“Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’”
In this verse, Jesus uses the metaphor of the temple to explain His resurrection, referring to His own body as the temple that will be raised on the third day.
13. John 2:21
“But the temple He had spoken of was His body.”
Jesus clarifies that the “temple” He was speaking of was His body, foreshadowing His resurrection on the third day.
14. John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”
Though this verse is spoken in the context of Lazarus’ death, it underscores the ultimate power of Jesus over death, offering eternal life through His own resurrection.
15. Acts 10:40
“But God raised Him from the dead on the third day and caused Him to be seen.”
This passage from Acts confirms the third-day resurrection and emphasizes the divine power behind it.
16. Acts 13:30-32
“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.”
After Jesus was raised from the dead, He appeared to His followers, confirming the truth of His resurrection on the third day.
17. Acts 26:23
“That the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to His own people and to the Gentiles.”
This verse highlights the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as the first of many who will rise from the dead, fulfilling prophecy and bringing salvation to all.
18. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Paul provides a succinct summary of the Gospel, confirming that Christ’s resurrection on the third day is central to the Christian faith.
19. 1 Corinthians 15:20
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
Jesus’ resurrection is portrayed as the firstfruits, a promise that all believers will follow in resurrection after Him.
20. 1 Corinthians 15:4
“That He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
This verse reiterates the essential doctrine of Jesus’ resurrection on the third day, which was foretold in Scripture.
21. Galatians 1:1
“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.”
This verse affirms that Jesus’ resurrection was orchestrated by God, further establishing the centrality of the resurrection in Christian belief.
22. Ephesians 1:20
“He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms.”
God’s power in raising Jesus from the dead is seen as the ultimate act of divine intervention and authority.
23. Philippians 3:10-11
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Paul expresses a deep desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, emphasizing the spiritual significance of Jesus’ rising on the third day.
24. Colossians 2:12
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Through baptism, believers participate in the death and resurrection of Jesus, affirming the importance of His rising on the third day.
25. Hebrews 13:20
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep.”
Jesus’ resurrection is a key element of the new covenant, sealing the promise of eternal life for all believers.
26. Revelation 1:18
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Jesus’ resurrection marks His ultimate victory over death and the grave, affirming His authority over all creation.
27. Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of eternal life and the end of death, sorrow, and pain for those who are in Christ.
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus on the third day is a foundational truth of the Christian faith. It validates Jesus’ divine identity, fulfills Old Testament prophecies, and assures believers of their own resurrection to eternal life. The 27 Bible verses explored in this article reinforce the profound significance of Jesus’ rising from the dead on the third day, highlighting its role in salvation history and its transformative power in the lives of believers. As Christians, we celebrate this victory, knowing that through His resurrection, we too have the hope of eternal life.
Related topics:
- 25 Bible Verses on Justification
- 15 Scriptures on Warfare in the Bible
- 30 Bible Verses About Astrology Being a Sin