1 Corinthians 15:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 15:4 stands as a foundational declaration within the Christian gospel, articulating the historical reality and theological significance of Jesus Christ's burial and resurrection on the third day, all in fulfillment of divine prophecy. This verse, presented by Paul as part of the essential truths he received and delivered, underscores the indispensable nature of Christ's triumph over death for the validity of Christian faith and the hope of believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very heart of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, often reverently referred to as the "Resurrection Chapter." Paul meticulously constructs his argument to address profound theological confusion and outright denial of the resurrection of the dead within the Corinthian church. Having established the core gospel message in [1 Corinthians 15:1-3](/1_corinthians/15-1-3 "1 Corinthians 15:1-3 - The Gospel Paul Preached"), which includes Christ's death for sins, Paul immediately follows with His burial and resurrection, emphasizing these as non-negotiable historical facts. The entire chapter then systematically builds upon this foundation, arguing that if Christ has not been raised, then the faith of believers is futile, their sins remain, and those who have died in Christ have perished ([1 Corinthians 15:17-18](/1_corinthians/15-17-18 "1 Corinthians 15:17-18 - The Consequence of No Resurrection")). Thus, [1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Burial and Resurrection") serves as a critical linchpin in Paul's defense of both Christ's resurrection and the future resurrection of all believers.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, renowned for its diverse philosophical schools, including Stoicism and Epicureanism, which often held skeptical views regarding bodily resurrection. Greek thought, influenced by Platonic dualism, frequently viewed the physical body as inferior or even a prison for the soul, making the concept of a bodily resurrection unappealing or even absurd. This cultural milieu likely contributed to the doubts and false teachings Paul was confronting. Furthermore, the Jewish background of some believers would have understood "according to the scriptures" as a powerful validation, connecting Christ's actions directly to the prophetic narrative of the Old Testament. The public nature of burial and the subsequent discovery of an empty tomb would have been culturally significant markers of a completed death and a supernatural event, respectively.

* **Key Themes:** The themes radiating from [1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Burial and Resurrection") are manifold and foundational to Christian theology. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the **historicity of the gospel events**, emphasizing that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were not mythical tales but verifiable occurrences witnessed by many, as Paul details later in [1 Corinthians 15:5-8](/1_corinthians/15-5-8 "1 Corinthians 15:5-8 - Resurrection Appearances"). Secondly, it highlights the **divine orchestration of salvation history**, with the repeated phrase "according to the scriptures" underscoring that these events were not random but the fulfillment of God's predetermined plan, foretold in the Old Testament (e.g., [Isaiah 53:9-12](/isaiah/53-9-12 "Isaiah 53:9-12 - The Suffering Servant's Burial and Vindication") and [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - The Holy One Will Not See Corruption")). Thirdly, and most crucially, it establishes the **centrality of the resurrection** as the ultimate validation of Christ's identity, His atoning work, and the believer's hope for eternal life. Without the resurrection, the Christian message collapses ([1 Corinthians 15:14](/1_corinthians/15-14 "1 Corinthians 15:14 - The Futility of Preaching Without Resurrection")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **buried (Greek, _tháptō'_):** From G2290, a primary verb meaning "to celebrate funeral rites, i.e., inter." This word emphasizes the undeniable reality of Jesus' physical death. Burial was the customary and public act that confirmed a person's demise, removing any doubt that Jesus merely fainted or swooned. It signifies the completion of His death, making His subsequent resurrection all the more miraculous and verifiable.
* **rose again (Greek, _egeírō'_):** From G1453, meaning "to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence)." This verb powerfully conveys the act of being raised from the dead. In the context of Christ, it signifies His victory over death, not merely a revival, but a transformation into a new, glorified state. The perfect tense (implied by Paul's usage elsewhere in this chapter, though here aorist for historical fact) emphasizes a completed action with ongoing results: Jesus was raised, and He remains risen.
* **scriptures (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** From G1124, meaning "a document, i.e., holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)." This term refers specifically to the Old Testament. The phrase "according to the scriptures" asserts that Christ's death, burial, and resurrection were not random or unexpected events but were part of God's predetermined plan, foretold and foreshadowed throughout the Hebrew Bible. This divine foreknowledge authenticates Jesus as the promised Messiah and demonstrates God's sovereign control over history and salvation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that he was buried,"**: This clause emphasizes the undeniable reality and finality of Jesus' death. His burial in a tomb, witnessed by various individuals, served as conclusive proof that He had truly died. This detail is crucial because a genuine resurrection requires a genuine death; it counters any notion that Jesus merely collapsed or was removed from the cross alive. It also sets the stage for the empty tomb, which would later become a key piece of evidence for His resurrection.
* **"and that he rose again the third day"**: This is the pivotal declaration, forming the heart of the Christian gospel. It proclaims Jesus' miraculous triumph over death, signifying His divine power and authority. The specific mention of "the third day" is significant, not only as a historical marker but also as a fulfillment of various Old Testament types and prophecies (e.g., Jonah's three days in the fish, Hosea's prophecy of being raised on the third day). This event validates all of Jesus' claims, confirms His atoning sacrifice, and establishes Him as the living Lord.
* **"according to the scriptures:"**: This crucial phrase, repeated from the previous verse, underscores the divine intentionality and prophetic fulfillment inherent in Christ's burial and resurrection. It asserts that these events were not accidental but precisely aligned with God's pre-revealed plan as recorded in the Old Testament. While no single verse explicitly states "He will rise on the third day," the concept is understood through various prophetic types, shadows, and Messianic prophecies concerning His suffering, death, and subsequent vindication and exaltation (e.g., [Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah's Three Days in the Fish"), [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - Revival on the Third Day"), [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "The Holy One Not Seeing Corruption"), [Isaiah 53:10-12](/isaiah/53-10-12 "Isaiah 53:10-12 - The Suffering Servant's Vindication")). This connection to the scriptures provides a powerful theological validation for the gospel message.

#### Literary Devices
Paul's concise yet profound statement in [1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Burial and Resurrection") employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the phrase "according to the scriptures," which appears in both [1 Corinthians 15:3](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3 - Christ Died for Our Sins") and [1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Burial and Resurrection"). This repetition serves to emphasize the divine authority and prophetic fulfillment underlying the core gospel events. It acts as a theological anchor, grounding the historical facts in God's eternal plan. Furthermore, there is a clear **Parallelism** and **Chiasm** in Paul's presentation of the gospel in verses 3-4. He moves from Christ's death (v. 3a) to His burial (v. 4a), then to His resurrection (v. 4b), effectively framing the central event with its necessary preceding acts. This structured presentation provides a logical and memorable summary of the gospel's essential components. The use of simple, declarative statements also lends an air of **Authority** and **Factuality** to Paul's proclamation, reinforcing the non-negotiable nature of these truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of [1 Corinthians 15:4](/1_corinthians/15-4 "1 Corinthians 15:4 - Christ's Burial and Resurrection") are vast and foundational to Christian doctrine. Christ's burial confirms the reality of His death, essential for the efficacy of His atonement, while His resurrection on the third day is God's ultimate vindication of Jesus and His saving work. It signifies His victory over sin, death, and the grave, providing the bedrock for the justification of believers and the promise of their own future resurrection. This verse encapsulates the power of God manifested in history, demonstrating that God is sovereign over life and death, and that His promises, foretold in the Old Testament, are faithfully fulfilled in Christ.

* [Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ's Resurrection for Our Justification")
* [Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Mighty Power in Resurrection")
* [1 Peter 1:3](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3 - Living Hope Through Resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 15:4 calls believers to ground their faith not in abstract ideas or wishful thinking, but in the historical, verifiable facts of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. The reality of Jesus' burial ensures the finality of His death, making His subsequent resurrection all the more astounding and miraculous. This truth provides unwavering assurance that our sins have been fully atoned for, as God's raising of Jesus from the dead serves as His divine "Amen" to Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore, the resurrection of Christ is the firstfruits of a greater harvest, guaranteeing our own future resurrection and transformation. Living in light of this victorious reality means embracing a hope that transcends death, finding strength to overcome present trials, and confidently proclaiming the good news to a world still bound by sin and mortality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical certainty of Christ's burial and resurrection strengthen your personal faith?**
* **In what ways does the phrase "according to the scriptures" deepen your appreciation for God's sovereign plan throughout history?**
* **How should the truth of Christ's resurrection impact your daily life, your hope for the future, and your witness to others?**

### FAQ
**Why is Christ's burial specifically mentioned alongside His death and resurrection?**

Answer: Christ's burial is crucial because it provides undeniable proof of His physical death, countering any claims that He merely swooned or was not truly deceased. It confirms the finality of His earthly life and sets the stage for the miraculous event of the empty tomb and His resurrection. The burial also fulfills Old Testament prophecies, such as [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - His Grave with the Wicked and the Rich"), which speaks of the Messiah being "with the rich in his death." It underscores the reality of the human experience of Jesus and the depth of His descent for our salvation.

**What does "according to the scriptures" refer to in this context?**

Answer: "According to the scriptures" refers to the Old Testament prophecies and types that foreshadowed or explicitly predicted the Messiah's suffering, death, and resurrection. While no single verse states "He will rise on the third day," the concept is woven throughout the Hebrew Bible. Examples include [Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah's Three Days in the Fish") (interpreted by Jesus Himself as a sign of His resurrection in [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - The Sign of Jonah")), [Hosea 6:2](/hosea/6-2 "Hosea 6:2 - Revival on the Third Day"), [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "The Holy One Not Seeing Corruption"), and the broader themes of the suffering servant in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). This phrase emphasizes that Christ's actions were not random but were part of God's predetermined, revealed plan for salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Corinthians 15:4 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in establishing Jesus as the triumphant Lord over sin and death, thereby securing the believer's hope and justification. His burial confirms the reality of His substitutionary death, where He truly bore the penalty for our sins, as articulated in [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). The resurrection on the third day is the divine seal of approval on His atoning work, demonstrating that the Father accepted His sacrifice and that He possesses all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). This pivotal event inaugurates the new creation and serves as the "firstfruits" of all who will be raised to new life in Him ([1 Corinthians 15:20-23](/1_corinthians/15-20-23 "1 Corinthians 15:20-23 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). Because Christ was raised, believers are declared righteous ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Christ's Resurrection for Our Justification")), are united with Him in a new spiritual life ([Romans 6:4-5](/romans/6-4-5 "Romans 6:4-5 - Buried and Raised with Christ")), and are guaranteed a future bodily resurrection into eternal glory ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship and Future Transformation")). Thus, Christ's resurrection, "according to the scriptures," is not merely a historical fact but the living power that transforms lives and assures the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 6:2

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

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

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

Psalms 16:11

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

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

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

Acts 26:22

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: