“And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection, they entered the holy city and appeared to many.”
— Matthew 27:52–53 (AMP)

This passage is often misunderstood or neglected, yet it holds deep prophetic and theological significance. Let’s unpack it step by step.

Who were these saints? #

• These were likely Old Testament saints—those who had died in faith (Hebrews 11:13).
• They are called “bodies of the saints,” which points not just to a vision or spiritual event, but a physical resurrection.

When were they raised? #

• They came after Christ’s resurrection, not before.
• Christ is called “the firstfruits of those who sleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20 AMP), meaning He rose first.
• These saints followed as a first harvest of resurrection, connected to Him.

Were they raised in glorified bodies? #

The text does not explicitly say “glorified,” but we can draw logical and theological conclusions:

• They were not resuscitated like Lazarus, who later died again.
• They came out after Christ’s resurrection, which is the pattern of resurrection unto life (John 5:29).
• They entered the holy city and appeared—they were visible and tangible.
• The event is deeply connected to Christ’s triumph over death (Colossians 2:15).

Therefore, many early teachers also believed these saints were given glorified bodies as a witness of what was to come—a visible sign of Christ’s defeat of death (compare Daniel 12:2, Isaiah 26:19).

This was not the general resurrection of all the righteous, but a limited prophetic fulfilment.

They likely ascended with Christ to the Father as the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) who now surround the throne (Revelation 4:4).

Old Testament Saints and the Resurrection #

• Before Christ: Old Testament saints waited in Sheol (Luke 16:22; Hebrews 11:39).
• At the Cross: Christ conquered death and descended to the lower parts (Ephesians 4:9).
• After His Resurrection: Some saints were raised in glorified bodies (Matthew 27:52–53).
• They Ascended: These became part of the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).
• Others Await: The rest of the righteous still await the resurrection at the consummation (1 Corinthians 15:23).

Conclusion #

• Yes, Christ is in us now.
• Yes, we live in the age of fulfilled kingdom reality.
• Yes, the Old Covenant is gone.
• But also, yes—we await the redemption of our body, the transformation of our mortal flesh, and the full unveiling of our glorified state.

Let us not lose the balance: the inward reality is the seed; the outward transformation is the fruit. One day, death will be no more—not just legally, but visibly and cosmically.

“And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled…”
— 1 Corinthians 15:54 (AMP)