1 corinthians 15:4 - that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Generated Verse: 1 corinthians 15:4

What does "1 corinthians 15:4" mean?


This verse, 1 Corinthians 15:4, is a cornerstone of Christian belief. Let's break down what it means:

"That he was buried...": This refers to the physical burial of Jesus after his crucifixion. It emphasizes the reality of his death. He wasn't simply wounded or unconscious; he died and was placed in a tomb. This provides concrete evidence for the fact of his death.

"...that he was raised on the third day...": This is the central claim of the verse and of Christianity: Jesus was resurrected from the dead. "Raised" signifies that he was brought back to life, not merely resuscitated (brought back to consciousness in his pre-death state), but transformed into a new, glorified state. "On the third day" specifies the timing of this resurrection, traditionally counted from the day after his crucifixion (Friday).

"...according to the Scriptures...": This phrase anchors the resurrection event in the context of the Old Testament prophecies and expectations. It suggests that Jesus' death and resurrection were not random occurrences but were part of God's plan foretold in the Hebrew Bible. It implies that the Old Testament contains foreshadowing, typologies, and even direct prophecies that find their fulfillment in Jesus' death and resurrection. Identifying specific scriptures referenced here is debated, but many point to passages like Psalm 16:10 ("You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay") and Hosea 6:2 ("After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.") as potential examples.

In summary, this verse is saying that Jesus' death and resurrection were:


Real and physical: He truly died and was buried.
Supernatural: He was raised from the dead by God.
Fulfilling prophecy: His death and resurrection were in accordance with God's plan as revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Significance of the Verse:

This verse is part of a larger passage (1 Corinthians 15:1-11) where Paul is addressing doubts about the resurrection among the Corinthian Christians. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith:

Proof of Jesus' claims: The resurrection validates Jesus' claims to be the Son of God and Messiah.
Victory over death: It demonstrates God's power over death and offers hope of eternal life to believers.
Basis for Christian faith: If Christ was not raised, Paul argues, then Christian faith is futile, and believers are still in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).
Guarantee of our resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is the "firstfruits" (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23), guaranteeing that those who are in Christ will also be raised to new life.

Therefore, 1 Corinthians 15:4 is not just a historical statement, but a powerful declaration of the central truth of Christianity, offering hope, salvation, and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

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