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NanaR
Member
| Joined: | Sat Jun 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 149 |
| First Name: | Ruth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Born JW, born-again Catholic (Tiber Swim Team 2008) |
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Posted: Mon Aug 6th, 2007 06:48 pm |
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Friends,
I have been wondering about the event that occured when Jesus died, as recorded in Matt. 27:51-54 --
The earth quaked, rocks were split,
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tombs were opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
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And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.
This scripture sounds like people came out of the ground and started walking around. Is that what it actually means?
Also, I guess I should say that I was taught as a JW that this scripture just meant that the earthquake that occured split some graves open and some dead bodies were thrown out. I'm pretty sure that is NOT what it means.
If these people were actually resurrected, then did they go on to heaven?
If they didn't go to heaven, what purpose was served by their resurrection?
Not being argumentative, I just really don't understand what happened here.
Thanks.
Ruth
Last edited on Mon Aug 6th, 2007 06:53 pm by NanaR
____________________
When you bend down to help someone up, that is the best exercise for your heart. -- Fr. Noe, 2007
http://nanaruthann.blogspot.com
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CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5080 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Mon Aug 6th, 2007 09:10 pm |
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NanaR wrote: This scripture sounds like people came out of the ground and started walking around. Is that what it actually means?
Yes.
If these people were actually resurrected, then did they go on to heaven?
Probably, after their "new" earthly lives were complete, assuming they maintained faith in the Lord. The Catholic Church interprets this passage literally.
If they didn't go to heaven, what purpose was served by their resurrection?
They returned to their lives and preached the "Good News". Presumably those who were raised were those who had fallen asleep, perhaps through persecution, and their resurrection was a powerful testimony to the Savior. However, scripture does not tell us this. What it tells us is that the earth quaked, tombs were opened, and the dead rose and walked among the living.
Not being argumentative, I just really don't understand what happened here.
What happened is exactly what Matthew said happened.
The footnote in the NAB reads in part:
| The earthquake, the splitting of the rocks, and especially the resurrection of the dead saints indicate the coming of the final age. In the Old Testament the coming of God is frequently portrayed with the imagery of an earthquake (see Psalm 68:9; 77:19), and Jesus speaks of the earthquakes that will accompany the "labor pains" that signify the beginning of the dissolution of the old world (Matthew 24:7-8). For the expectation of the resurrection of the dead at the coming of the new and final age, see Daniel 12:1-3. Matthew knows that the end of the old age has not yet come (Matthew 28:20), but the new age has broken in with the death (and resurrection; cf the earthquake in Matthew 28:2) of Jesus; see the note on Matthew 16:28. After his resurrection: this qualification seems to be due to Matthew's wish to assert the primacy of Jesus' resurrection even though he has placed the resurrection of the dead saints immediately after Jesus' death. |
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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