I received a question regarding Matthew 27:52-53.

The tombs also were opened. And many bodies 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)

What does it mean that saints came out of their tombs? That is a really good question. And it is one that I don’t think we can answer completely.

Very often, the Bible tells us what happens without explaining how or why. And we have to be careful not to go beyond what Scripture says and be dogmatic about possibilities or even probabilities. We need to be okay not knowing some things for sure. God knows, and that is enough. So with that in mind, my answer might be very unsatisfying…

First, I believe that this really happened and that it isn’t metaphorical or a future prophecy. Dead saints literally rose from the grave. Second, I find it interesting that Matthew puts this here in the description of Jesus’ death, but says that it is after the resurrection that these saints who were raised appeared to people. Matthew sandwiches this fact in between the moment Jesus died and the centurion exclaiming that He is the Son of God. I think the Jewish audience would have made the connection between this and some Old Testament promises.

Since Matthew relies so heavily on the Old Testament, I think there are a number of possible allusions being made. But I think Ezekiel 37:12-13 may be the primary passage:

Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.

Ezekiel 37:12–13 (ESV)

It is very possible that these saints were raised as proof that what God promised would happen has happened through the work of the Messiah. Christ, the first fruits at His resurrection, has yielded a harvest through His death and resurrection. In other words, the fact that these saints lived again proves who Jesus is.

The rising of these saints isn’t recorded in any other Gospel. I think of it along the lines of Jesus “breathing” the Holy Spirit onto His disciples in John 20:22. That prefigures the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost. The people rising from the grave after Christ rises prefigures the resurrection of the saints (us!) when He returns (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).