So, what's the deal with the the dead coming out of their graves in the Gospel of Matthew?

Before we get started, be sure to read my previous article, here; Why reading verses in context is important, please check out my latest on Locals; Insurance, weight lies, and BMIs.

And hey, I wrote a book, you can find out more about that here and here. 

There are some things I think we should talk about when it comes to the resurrection of both Jesus and the dead, more broadly. A while ago, it was quite common for atheists to claim that Jesus couldn't rise from the dead because people don't rise from the dead. Here's Lutheran Satire's take on it; Donall and Conall Meet Richard Dawkins.
What I am more concerned about is “Quasi Christian” groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, using arguments like it was a “spiritual resurrection”. One, what does that even mean, and two, what? If you can make heads or tails of the atrocious New World “Translation", be my guest.
So, let's read Matthew 27:52-53
“And the graves were opened: and many of the bodies of the saints that had slept arose, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many”.
So, you might be a little confused why I didn't start earlier. It's because, for right now, I want to focus on this simple fact. This happened “after his resurrection”. So, why does this matter? Because it's not divorced from the resurrection of the dead in general. Jesus HIMSELF is the resurrection (John 14:6).
Seriously, read what it says with the verses before and after, to put it in context.
“And Jesus again crying with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top even to the bottom, and the earth quaked and the rocks were rent. And the graves were opened: and many of the bodies of the saints that had slept arose, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, came into the holy city, and appeared to many. Now the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus, having seen the earthquake, and the things that were done, were sore afraid, saying: Indeed this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:50-54).
Read the rest on your own. But Matthew felt the need to mention an earthquake (which shows me that Jesus has divine power), the dead rising from their graves after Jesus's resurrection, and the fact the raised dead appeared to many. I think this is to say to those who may have had doubts, something like “Hey, if Grandma and Grandpa came back from the dead, we shouldn't be too skeptical about this Jesus guy”.

*All verses are from the Douay Rheims Version

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community on Locals.  If you want to help him out, go here.