What evidence is there for the resurrection?

The resurrection is a historical claim as well as a statement of faith. You can examine the surviving accounts, how early they are and how historians interpret them without deciding the answer in advance.

In one Gospel account, Jesus invites his followers to consider what is in front of them:

“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself!”

Luke 24:39

Begin with the earliest testimony

Read 1 Corinthians 15:3–8. Paul records an early summary stating that Jesus died, was buried, was raised and appeared to Peter, the Twelve, James, a larger group and Paul himself.

Find out when this letter was written, who Paul says passed this account on to him and why historians consider its early date important.

Compare the Gospel accounts

Read the final chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Gospels describe women finding the tomb empty and followers believing that Jesus appeared to them alive.

Notice both the shared elements and the differences in detail. Ask how historians assess accounts that agree on their central claim but do not describe every event in exactly the same way.

Examine what the first Christians believed

Investigate how soon belief in the resurrection appeared and how central it was to the earliest Christian message.

Ask what the evidence can tell you about the sincerity of Jesus’s followers and what they believed they had experienced.

Consider different explanations

Explore how Christian and non-Christian historians interpret the empty-tomb traditions, the reported appearances and the rapid growth of belief in the resurrection.

Compare the explanations carefully. Ask how well each one accounts for the surviving evidence, what assumptions it makes and which questions it leaves unanswered.

Understand the limits of history

Historians can examine documents, dates, testimony and the beliefs of the people involved. They can discuss which claims are better supported and which remain uncertain.

Whether God raised Jesus from the dead is a further conclusion. It involves not only historical evidence, but also whether you believe a divine act is possible.

You do not need to settle the question quickly. Begin with the earliest sources, compare thoughtful historical interpretations and decide which explanation you find most convincing.

It is all right for the question to remain open while you continue exploring.