What is the origin of the saying, "He is risen; He is risen, indeed"?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

A traditional Easter greeting is "He is risen!" The response is, "He is risen, indeed!" Some church traditions add the exchange of three kisses on alternate cheeks, and some call this the "Paschal greeting." This saying finds its roots in Luke 24:34, where the disciples, having encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus, confirm to the others in Jerusalem that “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” While the precise origin of the use of “He is risen; He is risen, indeed” as a liturgical greeting is unclear, it became more common in Eastern and Byzantine church traditions and is associated in legend with Mary Magdalene proclaiming Christ’s resurrection to Emperor Tiberius. The greeting emphasizes the ongoing reality of Jesus’ resurrection, using the present tense “is” to proclaim His triumph over death. Today, this exchange not only celebrates Easter but also serves as a powerful reminder of the hope, assurance, and joy that Christ’s resurrection brings to all who believe in Him. Proclaiming this saying helps us to share and rejoice in the foundational truth of the gospel: He is risen!

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The origin of the saying, “He is risen; He is risen, indeed,” is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Exactly how “He is risen; He is risen, indeed” came to be a greeting in the church is unknown. But the saying comes from Luke 24:34. After Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, "…they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, 'The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!'" (Luke 24:33–34).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The greeting, “He is risen; He is risen, indeed,” was, at first, more common in Eastern and Byzantine liturgies than it was in the West. According to a tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Mary Magdalene made the saying popular when she supposedly exclaimed, "Christ is risen!" as she met with Emperor Tiberius in Rome.

Sharing the truth of Jesus' resurrection is an important doctrinal truth we can encourage one another with, both on Easter and at other times. It is a continued fact, so we use the present tense "is" when we proclaim His power over death. Christ's resurrection gives us hope. We can confidently proclaim that He is risen. He is risen, indeed!

UNDERSTAND

• The Easter greeting, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” comes from Luke 24:34, confirming Jesus’ resurrection.
• The saying became common in Eastern and Byzantine churches and is linked in legend to Mary Magdalene.
• The phrase, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” proclaims Jesus’ victory over sin and death and proclaims the hope we have because of this.

REFLECT

• How does proclaiming, “He is risen, indeed,” strengthen your faith and the faith of others in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection?
• When you say, “He is risen,” how does the present tense remind you of Christ’s ongoing power in your life today?
• How does the hope of the resurrection shape how you face challenges and uncertainties?

ENGAGE

• How does the shared greeting, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” unite Christians across cultures and history?
• What are some potential reasons why the church has preserved the greeting, “He is risen! He is risen, indeed!” for centuries, and what does that say about the centrality of the resurrection?
• How can we use this Easter proclamation as a way to share the gospel’s hope with others?