Were the saints raised in Matthew 27:52-53 Jewish believers or Gentiles?
The saints raised in Matthew 27:52–53 were Jewish believers, not Gentiles. The term “saints” refers generally to believers of any age, and in that Old Testament economy the believing Israelites buried around Jerusalem were the company of the saints. They came out of the graves after Christ’s resurrection, preserving Him as the firstfruits.
Les teaches that the saints of any age are believers. In Matthew 27, the graves in the area of Jerusalem were opened—not all, but some—and many bodies of the saints came out. He clarifies that believing Israelites were of the company of the saints; believers during Christ’s earthly ministry, the Acts period, the Church period, and the tribulation are likewise called saints. Here, because there were not enough Gentiles in that Old Testament economy to count, these were evidently Jewish believers buried in the Jerusalem area. They came out after His resurrection. Les stresses this is important: if they had come out before Christ was resurrected, it would throw a kink in the whole plan of God that Christ was the firstfruits of resurrection.
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
More Questions
Who are the 'saints' mentioned in Matthew 27:52?
The 'saints' whose bodies came out of the graves in Matthew 27:52 are not a special class but a general term for believers of any age, including believing Israelites, believers in Christ's earthly ministry, Acts-period believers, Church-period believers, and tribulation believers.
When did the saints rise from their graves in Matthew 27?
The saints whose graves opened around the crucifixion did not come out until after Jesus' resurrection, because He had to be the first to be resurrected.