Why does Paul call Jesus the first to rise from the dead when other people had been raised from the dead, such as Lazarus?
Why does the apostle, Paul, in his defense in Acts 26, starting mid-verse 22 thru 23, refer to Old Testament prophesies saying, "I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring this message of light to his own people and to the gentiles." My question: Why does Paul call Jesus the first to rise from the dead? I ask because Jesus raised others, like Lazarus, from the dead before his own death and resurrection.
Acts 26:22 - 23
ESV - 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.
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Asked February 22 2018
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B H Bell
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Imole Socrates
Jesus was the first born of resurrection. Lazarus and others were only resuscitated. Hence they died again. When Lazarus was resuscitated by Jesus, he came out in his grave-cloth, because he would still need it again. But, Jesus was resurrected and left the grave-cloth in the grave. Resuscitation still needs a grave-cloth, but resurrection doesn't.
Daniel Veler
Christ was raised in righteousness whereas Lazarus wasn’t. Many times Christ brought back people that had died but it was Christ that was raised in a glorified body. This is why it is written that he is first being raised from the dead.