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Argument

The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus

The New Testament presents Jesus' resurrection as bodily: the crucified Jesus is raised, seen, touched, and publicly proclaimed.

Christian resurrection hope depends on the same Jesus who was crucified being raised bodily. Luke, John, Paul, and Acts point to continuity between the dead Jesus and the risen Lord.

Premises

  1. 1 Jesus invites the disciples to touch him and denies that he is a mere spirit.
  2. 2 Thomas confesses the risen Jesus after encountering him bodily.
  3. 3 Paul and Acts present resurrection as the vindication of the crucified Christ.

The same Jesus is raised

The Gospels do not present resurrection as a replacement spirit being. The risen Jesus shows the marks of crucifixion, receives recognition, and eats before the disciples.

Public proclamation follows

Acts and Paul proclaim the resurrection as the vindication of the crucified Jesus, not as private comfort detached from public events.

Sources

Reference

BibleRef

Reference pages used for BibleRef-first links to Scripture passages.

BibleRef, accessed June 16, 2026.

Open source

Secondary context

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus

Secondary Christian apologetics source for historical resurrection arguments.

Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Kregel Publications, 2004.