The Hidden Firstfruits: Unpacking the Plural “Bodies” in the Resurrection of the Saints
When discussing The Lord’s Return and the resurrection, attention is rightly given to Christ’s own victory and the final grand event. Yet, Matthew’s Gospel records a singular, startling event—often overshadowed by the crucifixion—that serves as a literal “firstfruits” preview of the final resurrection. This event, and the specific language used to describe it, provides crucial detail for understanding the physicality of the coming kingdom.
The Post-Resurrection Appearance
The event occurred immediately following the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
“The tombs also were opened. And many bodies (σωˊματα) of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” (Matthew 27:52-53, ESV)
This is a specific, corporate resurrection of named saints—prophets, patriarchs, and holy figures of the past—who were raised to physical life and walked into Jerusalem. The surprising detail lies in the Greek word used to describe these risen figures.
The Linguistic Revelation: σωˊματα
Matthew uses the plural Greek word σωˊματα (sōmata), meaning “bodies,” to describe the resurrection.
This choice of word is critical for those seeking detailed, presentation-style information on prophecy:
- Literal and Physical: The use of σωˊματα emphasizes that this was not a spiritual apparition or a hallucination. These were literal, physical bodies, demonstrating the power of the first resurrection.
- Corporate and Visible: The narrative states they were “many” and they “appeared to many” in the “holy city” (Jerusalem). This was a public, corporate, and widely witnessed event—a historical proof that the power of resurrection had been unleashed upon the earth.
This event affirms that the resurrection promise is not merely for the spirit, but for the entire, physical being.
The Prophetic Pilot Project
This Firstfruits Resurrection is highly significant for understanding the mechanics of The Lord’s Return and the prophetic plan:
- A Guarantee of the Harvest: Just as the “firstfruits” offering in the agricultural cycle guarantees the harvest to follow, the resurrection of these σωˊματα serves as a divine guarantee that the final, mass resurrection of the just will be just as literal, physical, and corporate.
- The Power of the New Covenant: It demonstrates the immediate, physical power of the New Covenant, showing that the final victory over death was already impacting those who died in faith.
This specific, unique detail in Matthew’s Gospel provides tangible, physical evidence for the promise of the resurrection—a detailed preview of the final, massive σωˊματα that will ascend at the glorious Return of the Lord.