The Miraculous Acts of Resurrection: How Many People Did Jesus Raise From The Dead?

Christians stand by the belief that those who faithfully walk with the Lord Jesus, both living and dead, will one day ascend to heaven and attain eternal life. This might seem too far-fetched for some, but the Bible records accounts that exhibit the resurrection power of God. So yes, it is possible and is bound to happen because God’s Word is the truth.

The passage from 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 revealed this: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

How Many People Did Jesus Raise From The Dead?

Jesus Christ performed three resurrections[1]. In the New Testament, Jesus raised three people before His death on the cross: a widow’s son of Nain, Jairus’ daughter, and Lazarus of Bethany. This proves Jesus’ power as the only Son of God, the source of all life. Note that these are just the recorded resurrections performed by Jesus Christ.

Both the Old and New Testaments have accounts of other people being raised from the dead. Jesus gave the apostles the ability to heal the sick and resurrect the dead to demonstrate God’s power and establish apostleship. Paul and Peter later employed this during their missions, leading many people to believe in Christ.

Who Did Jesus Raise From The Dead?

1. The Widow’s Son In Nain (Luke 7:11–17)

The first person Jesus raised from the dead was the son of a widow in the town of Nain. This is the first resurrection Jesus performed during His earthly ministry. Jesus and His disciples came upon the funeral procession of a young man as they entered the town. The widow’s son had died and was being moved out of town for his burial.

Jesus’ heart ached at the sight of the mourning mother, and He told her not to cry. The Lord Jesus touched the coffin while the bearers stood still and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” The dead man sat up and began to talk. Jesus handed him to his mother afterward.

2. Daughter Of Jairus (Luke 8:49–56)

The second resurrection Jesus performed pertains to the unnamed daughter of Jairus, a synagogue leader. Jairus came to Jesus in the crowd and begged Him to heal his 12-year-old daughter, who was on the brink of death. However, a messenger delivered the news that the young girl had passed away even before they reached Jairus’ house.

Then Jesus responded, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When Jesus arrived, the girl’s parents and His disciples Peter, John, and James were the only people allowed inside the room. Jesus held the girl’s hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and she immediately arose, which left her parents astounded.

3. Lazarus Of Bethany (John 11)

The third resurrection is a famous one and concerns Jesus’ friend. Jesus has a close friendship with Mary, Martha, and their brother, Lazarus. Although Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, He did not leave for Bethany to treat him until two days after. And so, Lazarus died.

Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb in Bethany four days after his death. Martha greeted Him outside, and Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” He proclaims that He is “the resurrection and the life.” Jesus wept at the tomb and ordered to remove the stone. He prayed to the Father and commanded Lazarus in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus did.

Why Did Jesus Raise The Dead?

Jesus raised Lazarus from Bethany, the widow’s son, and Jairus’ daughter as proof of His divine nature. The miracle of resurrection is a demonstration of His authority and power over death, causing people to worship and glorify God. It is a declaration of Him being the true Messiah and that those who truly believe will live even after death.

Jesus told this to Martha when He went to resurrect Lazarus—Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26)

How Many Other People In The Bible Were Resurrected From Death?

On top of the three resurrections Jesus did, there were seven more instances of resurrection from the Bible. However, the specific number of people raised from the dead is unknown. Matthew 27:52–53 mentioned that a number of saints came to life, although the exact figure was never given.

The Widow Of Zarephath’s Son (1 Kings 17:17–24)

The prophet Elijah was staying in the upper room of a widow’s house in Zarephath during a great drought. The widow’s son became sick and eventually died. The woman blamed Elijah, believing that his presence caused her son’s death as a punishment for her past misdeeds. Elijah took the boy’s lifeless body to the upper room where he was staying. He prayed to God and the boy lived. With this, the woman believed that he was indeed a man of God.

The Shunammite Woman’s Son (2 Kings 4:18–37)

The prophet Elisha, Elijah’s successor, frequently stayed in the upper room of a couple’s home in Shunem. When their son died, the woman rushed to Mount Carmel to seek Elisha’s help. Elisha sent Gehazi instead, but the son didn’t respond when he placed the staff on the boy’s face. When Elisha and the Shunammite woman arrived, he prayed to God and laid on top of the boy’s body. The boy began to warm up, sneezed seven times, and opened his eyes.

The Man Who Arose From Elisha’s Grave (2 Kings 13:20–21)

Another miracle of a man raised from the dead occurred following Elisha’s death. The passage reads, “Now Moabite raiders used to enter the country every spring. Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet.”

Tabitha Or Dorcas In Greek (Acts 9:36–43)

Tabitha lived in the city of Joppa. She was a disciple of Jesus, known and loved for her good deeds. Believers in Joppa cleaned her body when she died and placed her in the upper room. When the apostle Peter arrived, according to Acts 9:40, “Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.”

Eutychus (Acts 20:7–12)

Eutychus was among those who gathered in the upper room of a Troas home to listen to the Apostle Paul. While Paul continued to preach, Eutychus, seated by the window on the third floor, drifted off to sleep and fell to the ground. Paul hurried outside, hurled himself at the dead boy, and embraced him. He told the people, “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive!”

Resurrected Saints In Jerusalem (Matthew 27:50–53)

In the Bible, it was written, “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

Jesus’ Resurrection (Mark 16:1–8)

Of all the people raised from the dead, Jesus’ resurrection is definitely the most significant. His sacrificial death and resurrection brought us the gift of salvation and eternal life. Jesus rose from the dead and lived eternally. Mark 16:6 says, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen!”

Unlike the other resurrection narratives in the Bible, Jesus rose from the dead in His glorified body. The Messiah is the only one who was resurrected in a glorified body and never died again. All other bodily resurrected individuals in the Bible were raised in the same physical body.

Conclusion

Because of His three miraculous resurrections and the other miracles performed by God the Father, many people believed in Jesus’ words. No regular person can ever raise the dead, as mere mortals don’t hold the same power as the Almighty God. We can find rest in His promise of eternal life, for He has total authority over evil, nature, disease, and even death.

However, remember that even if we are to be transformed in our glorified bodies, we will never be on par with Jesus’ glorified body. We will never be His equal, for He is God. Despite this, He loved us so much that He died for our sins so we could be with Him in heaven.