Where’d the raised saints at the crucifixion go?

Among the most awe-inspiring events recorded in Scripture is the miraculous raising of saints at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. While often overlooked, this unique incident offers a powerful testimony to Christ’s authority over death and a preview of the final resurrection of the righteous.

Eyewitness of the Supernatural

Only the Gospel of Matthew records this event:

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51–53, NKJV).

This astonishing scene unfolded in two parts:

• At Jesus’ death, the earth quaked, the veil in the temple was torn—symbolizing access to God was now open—and the graves of faithful believers were opened.
• However, the saints did not rise until after Jesus’ resurrection (verse 53), affirming Christ as the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

These resurrected saints were a visible and undeniable confirmation of Christ’s power over the grave. They walked into the holy city—Jerusalem—and appeared to many, serving as living witnesses of His divine authority.

Old Testament Prophecy Fulfilled

This remarkable event wasn’t without precedent in prophecy. Psalm 68:18 declares:

“Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men.”

Here, the Psalmist depicts a victorious king—foreshadowing Christ—ascending in triumph with liberated captives in His train. These “captives” represent those who had been bound by death, now set free by the Messiah.

New Testament Explanation: Christ’s Triumph Over Death

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians echoes this prophecy:

“When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” (Ephesians 4:8).

This verse connects directly to the event in Matthew 27. Jesus, in His resurrection and ascension, conquered the power of sin and death. The saints raised at His resurrection were the first visible fruits of His victory, a sign that Satan’s prison of death had been broken.

Just as a Roman general might lead prisoners freed from enemy hands in a victory parade, Christ led those raised saints as a sign of His absolute dominion over the grave.

Where Did These Saints Go?

These resurrected saints were not raised to mortal life, only to die again, like Lazarus or Jairus’ daughter. Instead, they were raised immortal, as trophies of Christ’s victory and symbols of the resurrection to come. They were taken with Him when He ascended to heaven (see Ephesians 4:8–10).

It was entirely fitting that Christ, having conquered death, would bring some with Him from the grave—those who had died in faith before His incarnation, now alive forevermore. Their ascension foreshadows the glorious resurrection promised to all believers.

A Glimpse of the Final Resurrection

The raising of these saints is a miniature preview of the final resurrection that will occur when Jesus returns:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

When Jesus returns, all who have died in Christ will rise, never to die again. What happened at His resurrection is just the beginning—a foretaste of the ultimate victory that will be shared by every redeemed soul.

The Central Hope of Scripture

The resurrection of the saints is not a peripheral doctrine—it is the central hope of the gospel. The Bible from Genesis to Revelation points forward to the full restoration of humanity. Sin brought death; Christ brought life. Through Him, we are restored to what Adam once was—immortal, holy, and free from all corruption.

Paul writes that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in believers:

“…And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19–20).

This resurrection power transforms not just our future bodies but our current lives—making us spiritually alive today and eternally secure tomorrow.

Eternal Praise for Christ’s Victory

The apostle John provides a majestic vision of heaven, where the redeemed and angels unite in endless praise for the Lamb who conquered death:

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing!’ … ‘Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!’” (Revelation 5:11–13; 15:3–4; 19:5–6).

What happened on that day outside Jerusalem was not just a miracle—it was a message. Death has been conquered. Christ is risen. And those who are His will one day rise too, never to die again.