1 Corinthians 15:4

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And {G2532} that {G3754} he was buried {G2290}, and {G2532} that {G3754} he rose again {G1453} the third {G5154} day {G2250} according {G2596} to the scriptures {G1124}:

and he was buried; and he was raised on the third day, in accordance with what the Tanakh says;

that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;

Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:4 is a pivotal verse in the New Testament, summarizing a core component of the Christian gospel: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It follows immediately after Paul outlines the foundational truths he received and delivered to the Corinthians, emphasizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Context

This verse is part of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, often called the "Resurrection Chapter." Paul is addressing doubts and false teachings within the Corinthian church concerning the resurrection of the dead. Some were denying the future resurrection of believers, which fundamentally undermined the hope of the gospel. To counter this, Paul meticulously lays out the evidence and significance of Christ's resurrection, without which, he argues, faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:17).

Verse 4, alongside 1 Corinthians 15:3, forms the irreducible core of the gospel message: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Reality of Christ's Death and Burial: The phrase "that he was buried" underscores the undeniable reality of Jesus' physical death. This detail is crucial because a real death is a prerequisite for a real resurrection. His burial confirmed His demise and prevented any claim that He merely swooned or disappeared.
  • The Centrality of the Resurrection: The declaration "and that he rose again the third day" is the heart of the Christian faith. It signifies Christ's victory over sin and death, validating His claims and providing the basis for the believer's own future resurrection and new life. This event is not merely a historical fact but the power of God manifested.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The repeated phrase "according to the scriptures" is highly significant. It asserts that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were not random events but were part of God's predetermined plan, foretold in the Old Testament. This divine orchestration authenticates Jesus as the Messiah. While no single Old Testament verse explicitly states "He will rise on the third day," the concept is widely understood through various prophetic types and shadows (e.g., Jonah in the fish for three days, Jonah 1:17, and prophecies of the Messiah's suffering and vindication, like Isaiah 53:10-12, and Psalm 16:10).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "rose again" is egēgertai (ἐγήγερται), a perfect passive indicative form of egeirō (ἐγείρω), meaning "to raise up" or "to awaken." The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with ongoing results – Jesus was raised, and He remains risen. The passive voice indicates that God the Father was the agent of the resurrection, highlighting divine power.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 15:4 offers profound hope and assurance. The historical reality of Christ's resurrection is the bedrock of Christian faith, proving that death is not the final word. It assures us that our sins are truly atoned for, as Christ's resurrection was God's seal of approval on His sacrifice. It also provides the ultimate hope for our own resurrection to new life and eternal fellowship with God. This verse calls us to stand firm in the truth of the gospel, unswayed by skepticism, and to live in light of the victorious Christ who conquered the grave.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 6:2 (29 votes)

    After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

  • Matthew 12:40 (20 votes)

    For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  • Psalms 16:10 (13 votes)

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Psalms 16:11 (13 votes)

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

  • Acts 13:29 (11 votes)

    And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took [him] down from the tree, and laid [him] in a sepulchre.

  • Acts 13:37 (11 votes)

    But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

  • Acts 26:22 (11 votes)

    Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: