SEV Biblia, Chapter 27:53
y salidos de los sepulcros, despus de su resurreccin, vinieron a la santa ciudad, y aparecieron a muchos.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 27:53
Verse 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection] Not BEFORE, as some have thought, for Christ was himself the FIRST FRUITS of them who slept, 1 Cor. xv. 20. The graves were opened at his death, by the earthquake, and the bodies came out at his resurrection. And appeared unto many.] Thus establishing the truth of our Lord's resurrection in particular, and of the resurrection of the body in general, by many witnesses. Quesnel's reflections on these passages may be very useful. "1. The veil being rent shows that his death is to put an end to the figurative worship, and to establish the true religion. 2. The earthquake, that this dispensation of the Gospel is to make known through the earth the judgments of God against sin and sinners. 3. The rocks being rent declare that the sacrifice of Christ is to make way for the grace of repentance. 4. The graves being opened, that it is to destroy the death of sin, and confer the life grace on sinners. 5. The rising of the bodies of the saints shows that this death of Christ is to merit, and his Gospel publish, the eternal happiness of body and soul for all that believe in his name." It is difficult to account for the transaction mentioned ver. 52, 53.
Some have thought that these two verses have been introduced into the text of Matthew from the gospel of the Nazarenes; others think that the simple meaning is this:-by the earthquake several bodies that had been buried were thrown up and exposed to view, and continued above ground till after Christ's resurrection, and were seen by many persons in the city.
Why the graves should be opened on Friday, and the bodies not be raised to life till the following Sunday, is difficult to be conceived. The place is extremely obscure.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection , etc.] The resurrection of Christ; for he rose as the first fruits, as the first begotten of the dead, and the firstborn from the dead; for he was the first that was raised to an immortal life; for though others were raised before him, by himself, and in the times of the prophets, yet to a mortal life; but these saints came forth to the resurrection of life, and therefore it was necessary that Christ the first fruits, should rise first. The Arabic version indeed reads, after their own resurrection; and the Ethiopic version, after they were raised; both wrong, and scarcely sense: and went into the holy city ; the city of Jerusalem, which though now a very wicked city, was so called, because of the temple, and the worship of God, and his residence in it: the burying places of the Jews were without the city f1716 , and therefore these risen saints, are said to go into it: and appeared unto many ; of their friends and acquaintance, who had personally known them, and conversed with them in their lifetime. These saints, I apprehend, continued on earth until our Lords ascension, and then joining the retinue of angels, went triumphantly with him to heaven, as trophies of his victory over sin, Satan, death, and the grave.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 51-56 - The rending of the veil signified that Christ, by his death, opened way to God. We have an open way through Christ to the throne of grace or mercy-seat now, and to the throne of glory hereafter. When we dul consider Christ's death, our hard and rocky hearts should be rent; the heart, and not the garments. That heart is harder than a rock that wil not yield, that will not melt, where Jesus Christ is plainly set fort crucified. The graves were opened, and many bodies of saints whic slept, arose. To whom they appeared, in what manner, and how the disappeared, we are not told; and we must not desire to be wise abov what is written. The dreadful appearances of God in his providence sometimes work strangely for the conviction and awakening of sinners This was expressed in the terror that fell upon the centurion and the Roman soldiers. We may reflect with comfort on the abundant testimonie given to the character of Jesus; and, seeking to give no just cause of offence, we may leave it to the Lord to clear our characters, if we live to Him. Let us, with an eye of faith, behold Christ and his crucified, and be affected with that great love wherewith he loved us But his friends could give no more than a look; they beheld him, but could not help him. Never were the horrid nature and effects of sin s tremendously displayed, as on that day when the beloved Son of the Father hung upon the cross, suffering for sin, the Just for the unjust that he might bring us to God. Let us yield ourselves willingly to his service.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εξελθοντες 1831 5631 V-2AAP-NPM εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPN μνημειων 3419 N-GPN μετα 3326 PREP την 3588 T-ASF εγερσιν 1454 N-ASF αυτου 846 P-GSM εισηλθον 1525 5627 V-2AAI-3P εις 1519 PREP την 3588 T-ASF αγιαν 40 A-ASF πολιν 4172 N-ASF και 2532 CONJ ενεφανισθησαν 1718 5681 V-API-3P πολλοις 4183 A-DPM
