Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Thomas II · 01-04-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick F

I came across this biblical problem recently, and I’m actually amazed I hadn’t realized its significance before. Probably most people here will be familiar with this but here’s the quote from Matthew 27:

Quote:

“And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54When 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[i] of God!"”

This has to be one of the most astounding miracles in the NT, if not THE most. Yet, it is only mentioned in one of the gospels. Matthew actually has two earthquakes that are not mentioned in any of the other gospels.

Some of the questions that arise are as follows:

Why did the other gospel writers not mention it?

Who were the “saints”?

How long had they been dead for?

How long did they live for?

Where did their clothes come from?

Were they in new bodies and did they go to heaven or were their bodies the same mortal ones that died and were buried a second time?

If they had mortal bodies, what state of decay were they in.

Does anyone know what the normal Christian responses to this problematic verse is? Is there any response that doesn’t render the passage as nonsensical?

Complete nonsense.

Regarding the centurion, how many centurions were there in Jerusalem at the time? There is a story of Jesus healing the centurion's servant. Could this have been the same centurion?

Thomas II · 01-04-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick F

I came across this biblical problem recently, and I’m actually amazed I hadn’t realized its significance before. Probably most people here will be familiar with this but here’s the quote from Matthew 27:

Quote:

“And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54When 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[i] of God!"”

Complete nonsense.

Regarding the centurion, how many centurions were there in Jerusalem at the time? There is a story of Jesus healing the centurion's servant. Could this have been the same centurion?

bacht · 01-05-2009, 08:00 AM

II Kings 13:20-21

So Eli'sha died, and they buried him.

Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year.

And as a man was being buried, lo, a marauding band was seen and the man was cast into the grave of Eli'sha; and as soon as the man touched the bones of Eli'sha, he revived, and stood on his feet.

The gospels are full of midrash on stories like this.

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01-05-2009, 08:00 AM	#23
bacht Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 2,305	II Kings 13:20-21 So Eli'sha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, lo, a marauding band was seen and the man was cast into the grave of Eli'sha; and as soon as the man touched the bones of Eli'sha, he revived, and stood on his feet. The gospels are full of midrash on stories like this.

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