The question of whether Jesus is alive or not is central to the Christian faith. The Bible, which Christians consider to be the authoritative Word of God, has much to say about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and his continued life and lordship after his crucifixion. Here is an overview of the key biblical evidence for Jesus being alive today.
Jesus Predicted His Death and Resurrection
During his earthly ministry, Jesus made repeated predictions that he would be killed but would rise again to life. For example:
- “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” (Matthew 16:21)
- “And while they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.'” (Matthew 17:22-23)
- “And taking the twelve, he said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.'” (Luke 18:31-33)
Jesus repeatedly made clear that he would die, but would also rise again. His resurrection was part of God’s plan and foretold by the prophets.
Jesus Was Crucified and Died
The Gospels record in detail Jesus’ arrest, trials before the Jewish leaders and Pilate, flogging, and crucifixion (Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19). He was certified as dead by the Roman soldiers (Mark 15:44-45) and his body was laid in a tomb guarded by soldiers (Matthew 27:62-66). There is no doubt from the biblical accounts that Jesus truly died on the cross.
Jesus’ Tomb Was Found Empty
The Gospels uniformly record that Jesus’ tomb was found empty on the Sunday morning after his crucifixion. The women who came early to the tomb were greeted by angels who said he had risen (Matthew 28:1-7, Mark 16:1-7, Luke 24:1-7, John 20:1). The empty tomb was later verified by Peter and John (Luke 24:12, John 20:3-9). Had Jesus’ body still been in the tomb, the authorities could have easily disproved the resurrection, but they could not (Matthew 28:11-15). The evidence points to the empty tomb being historical reality.
Jesus Appeared to His Disciples After His Death
Starting with the empty tomb narratives, the Gospels record multiple instances of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his death and burial (Matthew 28:9-10, Luke 24:13-43, John 20:11-23, John 21:1-23, Acts 1:3-8). The disciples initially reacted with shock and doubt, but came to recognize and worship Jesus. They were utterly convinced he had risen from the dead. These appearances were central to them in become eyewitness proclaimers of Christ’s resurrection.
The Disciples Claimed to Have Seen the Risen Jesus
Not only do we have the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances, but the New Testament letters affirm that the disciples saw Jesus alive again. Paul writes:
- “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
Paul is making the case that Jesus’ resurrection is supported by eyewitness testimony, including over 500 who saw the risen Lord at one time and were still living when he wrote 1 Corinthians.
The Dramatic Change in the Disciples Affirms Christ’s Resurrection
Before his death, Jesus’ disciples abandoned and denied him and were hiding in fear behind locked doors (Matthew 26:56, Luke 22:54-62, John 20:19). Yet after encountering the risen Jesus, these same men and women were so transformed that they willingly suffered persecution and martyrdom for proclaiming Christ’s resurrection. As Paul notes, “Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die'” (1 Corinthians 15:30-32). What can explain this astounding transformation except that they had truly witnessed their Lord alive again?
Jesus’ Resurrection Was Central to Apostolic Preaching
The sermons in the book of Acts uniformly focus on Jesus’ resurrection as the culmination of God’s redemptive work in Christ and the event that proves his claims to be true (Acts 2:22-36, 3:13-15, 4:10, 5:29-32, 10:39-43, 13:26-39, 17:1-3, 17:30-31). The resurrection was absolutely central to the gospel according to the apostles. They preached Christ risen and alive.
Jesus Appeared to Paul, Causing His Conversion
Saul of Tarsus was a fierce persecutor of the early Christians until the risen Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road, an encounter which transformed him into the apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-9, 22:3-16, 26:9-18, 1 Corinthians 15:8). Paul immediately began preaching that Jesus was indeed alive again. His firsthand encounter with the risen Lord was foundational to his life’s work.
Jesus’ Resurrection Is Integrally Linked to Our Justification and Hope
Paul argues that Jesus’ resurrection is integrally connected to believers’ justification and hope. He writes:
- “[Jesus our Lord] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)
- “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)
- “He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures… And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins… But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:4, 17, 20)
The New Testament clearly grounds the benefits of salvation, including forgiveness of sins and future resurrection, in the historical event of Jesus having been raised from the dead himself. A dead Savior could save no one.
Jesus Is Now Exalted as Lord and Messiah
Peter proclaimed at Pentecost: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). The resurrection demonstrated that Jesus was who he claimed to be – Lord and Messiah. Thomas acknowledged the risen Jesus as “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). The New Testament affirms that Jesus is now alive, enthroned in power and authority at the right hand of God as Lord over all (Romans 14:9, Ephesians 1:19-23, Philippians 2:9-11, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, 1 Peter 3:21-22).
Jesus Appeared to Paul in His Resurrected State
When Jesus appeared to Paul on the Damascus road, Paul saw the risen, exalted Lord – not a battered crucifixion victim. Paul describes this experience: “Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” (1 Corinthians 15:8-9). Paul saw the resurrected and glorified Jesus, a life-changing encounter.
Jesus Is Now Our Mediator and High Priest
A key theme of Hebrews is that the resurrected Jesus is now our “great high priest” who mediates between God and man (Hebrews 4:14-16, 8:1-2). But he could not be a priest, mediator, and intercessor if he were still dead. His resurrection and exaltation are necessary for his continuing priestly ministry.
Jesus Sent the Holy Spirit to Indwell Believers
In his final post-resurrection discourse, Jesus told the disciples he would send the Holy Spirit to be with them forever (John 14:15-18). Then, after his ascension, the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost (Acts 2). This effusion of the Spirit depended on Christ having been glorified through his resurrection and ascension (John 7:39). A dead Jesus could have sent no Spirit.
God’s Power That Raised Jesus Is at Work in Us
Paul emphasizes that the power that raised Jesus is at work in believers, giving assurance of present victory over sin and of future resurrection. He says that God:
- “[Has] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with him.” (Ephesians 2:5-6)
- “You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12)
Because Jesus rose, we spiritually participate in his resurrection now, with the promise of bodily resurrection to come (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). His resurrection guaranties and makes effective ours.
The Resurrected Christ Is the Firstfruits of Future Resurrection
Paul argues extensively in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ’s own resurrection is the guarantee and firstfruits of the future resurrection of believers. “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Jesus is alive now as the forerunner of all who will be raised to live forever.
Jesus Will Return to Reign
The New Testament consistently teaches that the resurrected Jesus will personally return again to judge the world and establish his eternal Kingdom. Peter preached, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” (Acts 3:19-21). Christ’s resurrection and ascension make possible his return as conquering King.
The Resurrected Christ Appears from Heaven to Lead the Church
The book of Revelation depicts the glorified, risen Lord Jesus personally directing his church on earth through visions and appearances from his throne in heaven. “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:18). The living Lord Jesus speaks authoritatively to his churches from his position of victory over sin and death.
Conclusion
The New Testament presents extensive and compelling evidence that Jesus truly rose from the dead and is alive now as the Lord of his church. His appearances alive after his death were central to the disciples’ transformation and bold proclamation of Christ risen. The apostles appealed to their eyewitness testimony of the resurrected Jesus to verify that he is the Son of God and Savior. His resurrection is the foundation for the forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Spirit, and the hope of glory for all believers. The same divine power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in the lives of his followers, assuring them of sins forgiven and resurrection at Christ’s return. Though once dead, Jesus is alive forevermore as the ruler over all creation who will come again and usher in God’s everlasting kingdom.
