Matthew 27:52 (KJV)

What does Matthew 27:52 mean?

Matthew 27:52 describes a moment after Jesus’ death when tombs were opened and many bodies of “saints” who had died were raised to life. This verse reports an extraordinary event, showing that something miraculous happened involving people who had previously died.

Matthew, writing about the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion, notes that this happened right after Jesus died. The “saints” refers to faithful people who had died earlier, and their rising from the dead is presented as a sign connected to Jesus’ death. The verse is part of a larger scene where several supernatural events occur, emphasizing the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion.

The Greek behind Matthew 27:52

• “Graves” (μνημεῖα, mnēmeia): This word means tombs or burial places, making clear that actual burial sites were opened.
• “Saints” (ἅγιοι, hagioi): This term refers to people considered holy or set apart, often used for faithful followers of God.
• “Slept” (κοιμάω, koimaō): The Greek word for “slept” is a common way to refer to death, suggesting these people had truly died, not just fallen asleep.
• “Arose” (ἐγείρω, egeirō): This word means to rise or be raised up, indicating a real return to life, not just a symbolic event.

Why Matthew 27:52 matters

• Matthew 27:52 highlights the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ death by connecting it to miraculous events, underlining its cosmic importance.
• The verse can clear up confusion about whether these people were just symbolically “asleep”—the language and context point to a real resurrection.
• This detail connects Jesus’ death to the hope of resurrection, a theme that runs throughout the New Testament, and sets the stage for the events that follow in Matthew’s account.