What does the Bible say about raising the dead?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God alone has power over life and death, and that resurrections are signs of his mercy, Christ's authority, and the coming final resurrection. Through Elijah and Elisha, God restored the sons of widows in 1 Kings 17:17-24 and 2 Kings 4:32-37. Jesus raised the widow's son at Nain and Lazarus, showing that he gives life as the Father does (Luke 7:11-17; John 5:21; John 11:43-44). The apostles raised Tabitha and Eutychus by God's power (Acts 9:36-42; Acts 20:9-12). These temporary restorations point beyond themselves to Christ's victory and the promised resurrection of believers through the Spirit (Romans 8:11).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.
- 1 Kings 17:17-24
[17] It happened after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. [18] She said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, you man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to memory, and to kill my son! [19] He said to her, Give me your son. He took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into the chamber, where he abode, and laid him on his own bed. [20] He cried to Yahweh, and said, Yahweh my God, have you also brought evil on the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son? [21] He stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to Yahweh, and said, Yahweh my God, please let this child's soul come into him again. [22] Yahweh listened to the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. [23] Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him to his mother; and Elijah said, Behold, your son lives. [24] The woman said to Elijah, Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of Yahweh in your mouth is truth.
- Acts 9:36-42
[36] Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. [37] It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. [38] As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. [39] Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. [40] Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. [42] And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
- 2 Kings 4:32-37
[32] When Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid on his bed. [33] He went in therefore, and shut the door on them both, and prayed to Yahweh. [34] He went up, and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, and his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands: and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child grew warm. [35] Then he returned, and walked in the house once back and forth; and went up, and stretched himself on him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. [36] He called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. When she was come in to him, he said, Take up your son. [37] Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground; and she took up her son, and went out.
- Luke 7:11-17
[11] It happened soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. [12] Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. [13] When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, "Don't cry." [14] He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, "Young man, I tell you, arise!" [15] He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. [16] Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has arisen among us!" and, "God has visited his people!" [17] This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea, and in all the surrounding region.
- Acts 20:9-12
[9] A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. [10] Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Don't be troubled, for his life is in him." [11] When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed. [12] They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
- Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
- John 5:21
For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.
- Matthew 27:52-53
[52] The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [53] and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.
- John 11:43-44
[43] When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" [44] He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Free him, and let him go."
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