As explained in the previous blog, many times we read in the NT that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, by God. If Jesus would be “fully God” (as orthodox Christianity teaches), it is impossible to reconcile that someone else needed to resurrect Him, for how can someone who is “fully God” be dead and be dependent on another? Nevertheless, it is being taught that Jesus rose from death in His own strength. Two Bible passages are presented in support for this teaching; both of which I will briefly discuss in this blog:

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:17,18 (KJV)

This quote demonstrates how the translators’ established ideas can prevail over consistent translation. Three times in this passage the Greek verb lambanoo is used; twice it is translated as “take” and the third time as “received”. Did Jesus take the commandment of his Father? Obviously not; He received it. But why translate the other two times with “take”? When we consistently render the verb, then the text says something totally different:

Therefore the Father is loving Me, seeing that I am laying down My soul that I may be getting it again. No one is taking it away from Me, but I am laying it down of Myself. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to get it again. This precept I got from My Father.” John 10:17,18 (CLV)

As Jesus had received the commandment, so He received in the resurrection life from His God and Father. This is entirely consistent with what we read everywhere in the NT. Incidentally, the word here used in the KJV for “power” (Gr. exousia), is literally proxy, i.e., a privilege or right that is granted by another. Jesus received authority from God, of Himself to lay down His life (lit. soul) and also to receive it again.The second passage that is presented to prove that Jesus rose from death by His own power, we find in John 2.

18 The Jews, then, answered and said to Him, “What sign are you showing us, seeing that you are doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Raze this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews, then, said, “In forty and six years was this temple built, and you will be raising it up in three days!”

None of the bystanders understood what Jesus meant. Who can blame them? To what else would “this temple” refer, then the temple which Jesus had just cleansed? This lack of understanding about Jesus’ statement would later on, in the criminal proceeding, result in a false accusation (Mat.26:61). Only much later, would the disciples understand the real meaning of Jesus’ statement.

21 Yet He said it concerning the temple of His body. 22 When, then, He was roused (passive) from among the dead, His disciples are reminded that He said this, and they believe the scripture and the word which Jesus said. John 2

“The temple”, evidently, related to Jesus’ body. And the words “within three days I will raise it up” referred to the One Who would raise His body from among the dead. This is John’s inspired declaration of Jesus’ cryptic statement. Conclusion: Both of these passages in John, upon a closer inspection, are seen to be in perfect harmony with the rest of the overwhelming biblical testimony: not a God rose from the tomb, but a dead Man was roused by the glory of the Father.

… who are believing on Him Who rouses Jesus our Lord from among the dead. Romans 4:24 … as Christ was roused from among the dead through the glory of the Father … Romans 6:4

  ——————————— translation: Peter Feddema