Not Quite Zombies: 11 Instances of Resurrections in the Bible

They returned from the Other Side…

Zombies, zombies everywhere

Zombies — reanimated decaying corpses — are popular, fictional monsters. They’ve been stumbling across our screens and lumbering across book pages for decades now.

Zombies aren’t born. They’re made. Pop culture lore blames science gone wrong for any undead apocalypse — rogue scientists, nuclear fallout, shady- government-generated viruses, bacteria, and fungi (pick one). 28 Days Later or Night of the Living Dead, anyone?

The problem with zombies is that they are seldom restored to their normal human state. (Exception: the zombies from the Warm Bodies movie. Some reverted back to human status). Zombified dead tissue stays dead and just continues to rot. So, once a zombie always a zombie.

Totally not zombies in Scripture

The Bible has its share of once-dead people. But they weren’t the products of science gone wrong.

And they weren’t zombies.

They were people who were resurrected. Which means that they were restored to life by the power of God.

Let’s look at the eleven times people went to the Great Beyond and miraculously returned –not as deranged, flesh eaters — but as healthy humans.

1. Elijah the prophet resurrects a child

Elijah was the first person in Scripture to resurrect someone from the dead.

During a famine, the prophet was directed by God to stay with a poor widow. Later, when her young son became sick and died, Elijah went into prayer mode. The Lord answered the prophet’s prayer and resurrected the young boy.

2. The prophet Elisha also resurrects a child

God worked through Elisha, Elijah’s successor, for the second resurrection in the Bible.

A wealthy woman had an extra room built onto her house for Elisha, so he’d have a place to stay when he visited her town. Elisha repaid her hospitality with a promise that the childless woman would give birth to a son. And she did. A few years later, the young boy died. After Elisha prayed to God, the child was resurrected and reunited with his grateful mother.

3. Elisha’s bones resurrect a dead man

A group of men were in the process of burying a body. Suddenly, vicious vandals busted up the funeral procession. The men participating in the funeral panicked and tossed the body into Elisha’s grave. When the dead man’s body touched the prophet’s bones, he was instantly resurrected!

Centuries passed before another person was resurrected.

4. Jesus resurrects a widow’s son

One day, Jesus Christ of Nazareth witnessed a funeral procession for a widow’s only son. Jesus approached the body and touched the pallet which carried the man. Then he commanded the man to get up. Instantly the widow’s son was resurrected.

5. Jesus resurrects a twelve year-old girl

Jairus was the leader of a synagogue. His twelve-year-old daughter was gravely ill. So he was desperate. Jairus found Jesus, fell at his feet and pleaded for help.

But a messenger arrived with bad news. His daughter was dead. On the spot Jesus assured Jairus that his daughter would be healed. Jesus travelled to Jairus’ house and resurrected the little girl right before the eyes of her parents and his inner circle.

6. Jesus resurrects his friend Lazarus

Jesus’ third and last resurrection miracle occurred at the tomb of his good friend Lazarus. Lazarus was sick and didn’t recover from his illness. His family buried him in a cave.

Four days later, Jesus arrived at Lazarus’ tomb. With a crowd watching his every move, Jesus resurrected dead his friend.

7. Jesus was resurrected by God

Jesus never committed a crime. Yet, he was falsely accused and convicted. He received the death penalty — crucifixion. Three days later Jesus was resurrected by God.

8. The world’s first multi-person resurrection

The Book of Matthew records the resurrection of multiple people at the same time. Scripture doesn’t give precise numbers — only that “many” holy dead were resurrected. They appeared to people after Jesus’ resurrection.

A second mass-resurrection will happen in the future.

9. The Apostle Peter resurrects Tabitha

Tabitha was a selfless woman who always helped others. Unfortunately, she got sick and died. A group of believers sent for Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples.

When Peter arrived at the room where Tabitha’s body was kept, he asked all of the people to leave. He kneeled and prayed. Then he commanded Tabitha to get up. And she did.

10. The Apostle Paul resurrects Eutychus

One night, Paul met with a group of believers. He spoke for a long time — until midnight. A young man, named Eutychus, was propped up on the windowsill. He dozed off, fell from the three-story window and died!

Paul and the other believers raced downstairs to the body. When Paul wrapped his arms around Eutychus, life was restored to the young man.

11. The Two Witnesses

This is the only incidence of resurrection that hasn’t happened yet. According to the book of Revelation, these events will occur in the future.

During the End Times, God will send two witnesses to the earth. They will prophesy for a total of 1260 days. The pair will eventually be killed by God’s enemies. They will remain unburied and on public display for three and a half days. Then, they will be publicly resurrected. While the crowds who witness the resurrection continue to freak out, both witnesses will ascend to heaven in a cloud.

If you like this article, check out this one entitled ‘Jesus was Not a Vegetarian’ here. Or, check out this one about God punishing people with leprosy here.

Thanks for your time. Thanks for reading.