Scripture recounts the resurrections of several people before that of Christ, including the son of the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17–24) in the Old Testament and the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11–15), Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:41–42, 49–56), and Lazarus (John 11:1–44) in the New Testament; however, each of those resurrected people later died again. Jesus’ resurrection was distinct from those examples. The resurrection of Christ was more than simply a return to life; it also involved a significant transformation of His body. There was continuity between the body laid to rest in the tomb and the body that came forth from the tomb; the same body that was buried was also raised. That was also true of the earlier resurrections. However, in Jesus’ resurrection, there was also an element of discontinuity. His body experienced a dramatic change. He was the same person with the same body, but His body had been glorified.
Sproul, R. C. (2014). Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology (p. 300). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.
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