1 Corinthians 15:4
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Context
Continuing the gospel summary at the start of the resurrection chapter, Paul affirms Christ's burial and resurrection as the foundational facts handed on to the Corinthians.
What Does 1 Corinthians 15:4 Mean?
Paul continues the early gospel summary: Christ "was buried, and ... rose again the third day according to the scriptures." The burial confirms the reality of His death -- He was truly dead, not merely swooned, and was laid in a tomb. The resurrection on the third day declares the reality of His triumph -- He did not stay dead but was raised to life. Both facts, like His death, are said to be "according to the scriptures," fulfilling God's revealed plan.
The mention of burial matters more than it might first appear. It seals the certainty of the death and prepares for the wonder of the rising. A buried body that comes alive again is the heart of the Christian hope. "The third day" anchors the resurrection in a specific, verifiable moment, consistent with the accounts the disciples received. And "according to the scriptures" again insists that the resurrection was not a surprise to God but the fulfillment of His purpose. For Paul, this is the pivot of everything. In the verses that follow he will argue that without the resurrection, faith itself is empty. But the resurrection did happen: Christ was buried, and Christ rose. This compact statement, handed down from the earliest believers, remains the foundation on which the gospel stands -- death conquered, the tomb emptied, and God's promises fulfilled.
In the Original Language
The Greek "etaphē" (was buried) confirms a genuine death. "Egēgertai" (rose again) is in a tense indicating a completed action with abiding results -- Christ was raised and remains alive.
Cross References
“He is not here, but is risen ... The Son of man must be ... crucified, and the third day rise again.”
- Luke 24:6-7
“For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”
- Psalm 16:10
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:20
Application
Rest your hope on the historical reality that Christ was truly buried and truly raised, the foundation that makes Christian faith certain rather than empty.