The text of Matthew 27:52 has often been raised in question. It reads: "And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose."

It is known that the first five words of this quotation are spurious not found in the oldest manuscripts). Some Bible scholars question the remainder of the text also, as a possible addition to even some of the earlier manuscripts.

Other students have suggested that if the account is authentic, perhaps the wording of it is inaccurate. They propse that the express "bodies of the saints" [pure or holy people] is a reference to little groups of the Lord's disciples who followed him fearfully at a distance as Jesus was led up Golgotha's hill to be crucified. This site being near the tombs area, they hid themselves in the many caves which housed the sepulchers, to wait and see what would eventuate. They had many hours awake and the day being dark (verse 45) many became weary and succumbed to sleep.

When the earth quake occurred at the time of Jesus' death they were awakened and came out of the tombs. Seeing what had happened they went back into Jerusalem and told others what had taken place. The 53rd verse, which relates this, could correctly have been translated thus: "And came out of the tombs area after their Awakening, and went into the Holy City and disclosed [told what they saw] to many."

The word "resurrection" in the King James Version of this text is the Greek word egersis, a derivative of the word egeiro This word is found 137 times in the New Testament and is translated as follows: 'arise', 'raise', 'awake', 'lift', 'rear up', etc. In some of these scriptures it is used in speaking of the resurrection of the dead, while in many others it is not - referring rather to people 'standing up.' 'being awakened' from phsical sleep, nations 'rising up,' things being 'lifted up,' by the hand, etc. Only once, in the text in question - Matthew 27:52, is it translated 'resurrection.' Immediately preceding this word is the pronoun 'his,' which makes it appear as if it was speaking of Jesus' resurrection. But the choice of the word 'his,' was completely a translaor's option. It would have been just as correct to translate it 'their,' thus making the text read: "and came out of the graves [caves where the dead were buried] after their awakening." And finally, the Greek word for 'appeared,' found in this text, is defined by Strong's Concordance of the Bible as meaning: 'to exhibit, to disclose (by words), declare, inform, show, manifest.'

From what has been stated it becomes apparent that the translators of the Bible had several options, each of which when used changes the meaning and character of what actually occurred. In cases like this where indefinite definitions exist, it is always wisest to go with the interpretation which seems to be the most rational according to what we know of God's methods, and consistent with his revealed plans and purposes.

Should it be the case, which we doubt, that some of the dead were raised on that occasion, it surely would not have been any of the ancient prophets or the incident would have elicited much more notice in the Gospel accounts (only Matthew speaks of it) and in concurrent Jewish history. Which is silent on the matter. If it happened at all, it would only be a temporary awakening from death of people who had no doubt recently died, and were still known and recognizable to others living in Jerusalem. The raising of anyone from death free from Adamic condemnation prior to the value of the ransom being presented to the Father would be inconsistent with the other scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 15:20. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." Be it noted also, that aside from this questionable account in Matthew 27, all other recorded instances where the dead were raised involved prayer to God and the presence of a prophet of our Lord himself. And again we say, if such did happen, and we doubt it, it could only have served the purpose to demonstrate what Jesus' death as a ransom for mankind would eventually accomplish on a worldwide scale in his kingdom, when all that are in the grave (including any who had received a temporary resuscitation of life in the past) will hear the voice of the Son of man and come forth to an opportunity to gain everlasting life.

Rolando Rodriguez