What is the meaning of people being resurrected with Jesus’ death? What is significant about those raised to life when Jesus died (Matthew 27:50-53)?

TL;DR:

When Jesus died, the resurrection of believers, along with the torn veil and earthquake, powerfully demonstrated that He is the Son of God with authority over sin, nature, and death. These signs were not only evidence for the people at that moment, but also a promise of future resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him.

what does the bible say?

Matthew 27 includes the account of people being raised to life when Jesus died, along with an earthquake and the veil of the temple torn in two from top to bottom, as signs to demonstrate that Jesus is the Son of God. The torn veil signified that men and women were now able to approach the Father directly, through His Son, and no longer needed to access Him through priests. The earthquake showed that, as the Son, He had power over nature. Finally, the resurrection of believers showed that He also has power over death. That was a power that only the Son of God could have. “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Those signs, including the resurrection of the dead, were signs that the One they had just killed was the Son of God.

from the old testament

The account of people being resurrected with Jesus’ death is unique to the New Testament. However, the New Testament account might have reminded people of Ezekiel where dry bones were brought to life (Ezekiel 37:1–14).

from the new testament

Matthew 27:52-53 reads: “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 entered the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew includes this unique account in the middle of two literal events, the temple’s veil splitting and a severe earthquake. Therefore, he meant it to be taken as something that literally happened. With that in mind, what is the significance of these resurrections and their relationship to the veil and earthquake? Matthew records observers of these events as saying, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). All of these signs, then, were convincing proofs that Jesus was God’s Son.
The significance of the veil tearing was that, prior to Jesus’ death, men and women could not stand before God, or else He would destroy them to protect His holiness. God appointed priests to act as intermediaries between the people of Israel and God, but even then, only one priest could go inside the veil and only once a year after He underwent a purification ritual (Leviticus 16:2, 29-34; Hebrews 9:6-7). When Jesus died, the veil split in half because access to God had been opened to everyone through His Son (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20).
The significance of the earthquake shows the power of Jesus. Earth “tore apart” when her Creator, the Son of God, died (Matthew 27:51; Colossians 1:16).
Notice that the passage says, “many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised” (Matthew 27:52). “Saints” refers to believers who had died before Jesus. Matthew doesn’t specify as to whether they were recently deceased or not. The point was that many believers came to life when Jesus died. Other resurrections had also demonstrated who Jesus was. For example,Jesus raised a dead son to life and “Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has arisen among us!’ and, ‘God has visited His people!’” (Luke 7:11-16).
Likewise, in John 11:38-44, Jesus raised Lazurus, Martha’s brother. Just before raising him, He made a public prayer, saying “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me; but I said this on account of the people standing around that they may believe that You sent Me”. So, He prayed out loud so that the people watching would know that He was the Son of God.
In summary, Jesus, as the Son of God, has the power to raise people from the dead. When He died, His power over death was displayed by many coming to life.

implications for today

Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was shown to be the Son of God by providing access to the Father though His death, as well as by showing His power over creation. The people being resurrected with Jesus’ death showed He was the Son of God by His power over death. Because Jesus was perfect, and death is only for sinners, when He died, He conquered death, freeing the way for men and women to live again after death. The resurrection of others when He died was just a small picture of that.

As fully God, Jesus has power over life itself. As Paul exclaimed, quoting the Old Testament, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56; c.f., Romans 6:23). Jesus did not need to die—He never sinned (1 Peter 2:22)! But He willingly laid down His life as a sacrifice (Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10), so that the Father would count Him as a sinner and believers as righteous. That “exchange” of sin and righteousness allowed Him to remain holy and just (Romans 3:26; 1 Corinthians 5:21).

When Jesus died, He made a way for believers to escape death. Yes, we will face death, but death will not have the final say over believers, for when we die, we come alive in His presence, and when He returns, all believers will be raised again bodily (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) to dwell with Him (John 14:2–3) forever.

With everything that Jesus has done in His death, we are to praise Him now in excited anticipation of His return. Even as our bodies fall apart as we age, and as we begin to die, we have great confidence that His death means that our death will only be temporary. He has already proved His authority over it, so we can have full confidence in our future with Him!

understand

Jesus showed His power over death by raising believers when He died.
The resurrections at Jesus’ death confirmed He is the Son of God, along with the torn veil and earthquake.
The resurrections at Jesus’ death point to the future bodily resurrection of all who believe in Him.

reflect

How does knowing that Jesus has power over death affect the way you face fear, loss, or aging?
How does the promise and power of resurrection impact your relationship with God today?
How can you live with greater hope and confidence, knowing that Jesus’ death guarantees your resurrection?

engage

What are some reasons why Matthew included the detail of the saints being raised when Jesus died, and how does that shape our understanding of His identity?
How do the torn veil, earthquake, and resurrection together reveal different aspects of Jesus’ authority and mission?
How should the promise of bodily resurrection shape the way we live and worship as believers?