1 Corinthians 15:4

The context

Paul is reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he preached to them, at the start of a chapter defending bodily resurrection against denial. He says he delivered what he also received, which marks the following lines as tradition handed on. The formula continues with the appearances and with Paul's own inclusion.

What it establishes

The verse preserves an early summary of the message, with death, burial, resurrection, and scriptural warrant in sequence. The burial is named, which anchors the claim in a tomb rather than in a vision.

What it does not establish

The scriptural warrant is unspecified and the third day is debated. Paul does not say which texts he means, and whether the timing reflects a reading of Hosea, the sign of Jonah, or the chronology of the passion is argued rather than stated.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• Near-death experiences are the same in every religion — the light, the life review, even a Jesus figure. So all religions lead to the same place.

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.