"Raised but Not Forgotten: The Stories and Afterlives of Those Jesus Resurrected"

As Christians approach Easter weekend—the most solemn and glorious moment in the liturgical calendar—we are invited to reflect on the heart of the Christian proclamation: the Resurrection. For Catholics, the Resurrection is not merely a symbolic event but the definitive triumph of life over death, the cornerstone of faith itself. As St. Paul boldly writes, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile" (1 Cor 15:17).
At this time of year, questions often re-emerge about miracles, their place in Catholic belief, and how they relate to sanctity. Catholics are expected to believe in miracles, particularly those recorded in Sacred Scripture. These events are not treated as myths or metaphors but as signs through which God reveals His power and mercy. At the same time, not every post-biblical miracle must be believed by every Catholic, though all are called to remain open to God's ability to act beyond natural law.
This has implications for sainthood as well. Many saints are canonised following the recognition of miracles attributed to their intercession. Historically, these have often been clergy or religious figures, owing to their proximity to the institutional Church and its networks. In recent years, however, the Church has placed greater emphasis on recognising holiness in laypeople and the marginalised, seeking a fuller reflection of the universality of God's grace.
Against this awe-inspiring backdrop, it is timely to revisit the resurrection miracles performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry—miracles that point forward to His Resurrection and continue to resonate as signs of spiritual renewal, hope, and transformation. Who were the people Jesus raised from the dead? What became of them? And how did the early and medieval Church understand their significance?
The Gospel Accounts: Who Was Raised?1. Lazarus of Bethany (John 11)Perhaps the most well-known was Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. Raised after four days in the tomb, his return to life was a public sign of Jesus' power over death. This miracle intensified opposition from religious leaders, as many began to believe in Jesus because of it.
Afterstory: According to tradition (especially in Eastern Orthodoxy), Lazarus fled persecution and became the first Bishop of Kition in Cyprus, where a later tomb inscription reads, "Lazarus, the friend of Christ." Some legends claim he never smiled again, having glimpsed the sorrow of the afterlife.
2. The Widow of Nain's Son (Luke 7:11–17)In this lesser-known but equally moving miracle, Jesus encounters a funeral procession for the only son of a widow. Moved by compassion, he brings the young man back to life with a command: "Young man, I say to you, arise."
Afterstory: Scripture does not return to this young man or his mother, and no strong extra-biblical tradition is associated with him. His Resurrection serves as a sign of divine mercy.
3. Jairus' Daughter (Mark 5, Luke 8, Matthew 9)Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleads for his dying daughter. Jesus arrives after her death and tells the mourners she is "only asleep." He takes her hand and says, "Talitha koum" ("Little girl, get up"), and she rises.
Afterstory: Like the widow's son, we hear nothing more of the girl. Early Christian commentary often saw her as a symbol of innocence and faith.
Patristic Interpretations: Resurrection as SymbolEarly Church Fathers made clear distinctions between these resurrections and the Resurrection of Christ. These individuals, raised by Jesus, would eventually die again. Their stories were seen as prefigurations—living signs pointing to the greater reality of Christ's Resurrection and the promise of eternal life.

• Origen saw the miracles as moral metaphors: the dead were symbols of sinners raised through repentance and faith.
• Gregory of Nyssa read the raising of Lazarus as an act against despair, showing that no one is beyond redemption.
• Augustine taught that Jesus' power over physical death mirrored His power to awaken the soul.

These resurrections were not just about divine power but divine relationship. Jesus is often personally connected to those He raises, particularly Lazarus, whom He loves deeply.
Medieval Theology: Echoes and AllegoriesMedieval theologians continued the symbolic interpretation with added structure and emphasis on spiritual typology.

• Thomas Aquinas made a clear distinction between being "revived" (as with Lazarus) and being "resurrected in glory" (as with Christ). He emphasised that these miracles affirmed Christ's divine authority but did not prefigure our glorified, eternal bodies.
• Bernard of Clairvaux read the three figures as stages of sin: Jairus' daughter as someone barely fallen, the widow's son as one deeper in sin, and Lazarus as entirely lost. Yet all could be redeemed.

These interpretations served to comfort and teach that no soul was beyond recovery, offering a beacon of hope in the face of despair.
Echoes of the Prophets: Elijah and ElishaJesus' acts echoed earlier miracles by Elijah and Elisha, who raised dead children (1 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 4). The Gospel writers, especially Luke, consciously aligned Jesus with these prophets and elevated Him above them. Where Elijah prayed, and Elisha used ritual, Jesus commanded. He did not borrow power; He was power.
In Conclusion: Raised, Remembered, ReveredThough Scripture leaves the earthly fates of these resurrected individuals largely unspoken, the theological and symbolic weight they carry has endured. They became metaphors for repentance, divine love, and the foreshadowing of the Resurrection. Their stories, which we continue to revisit, invite us to ask what happened to them and what is awakened in us when we hear: "I say to you, arise."
Whether seen as literal events or spiritual allegories, these resurrections invite a profound truth: that even in the face of decay, despair, and death, divine compassion calls us forth to life.
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