Ask Your Preacher - Archives

Ask Your Preacher - Archives

“BRAINS!!!”

Categories: GRAB BAG, NEW TESTAMENT, OLD TESTAMENT
Are these two Bible quotes referring to zombies, and if not, then what are they referring to?
  • “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (Matt. 27:51-53)
  • And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples that wage war against Jerusalem: their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. (Zechariah 14:12)

Sincerely,
Zombie Hunting

Dear Zombie Hunting,

Thankfully, these verses aren’t referring to zombies, and brains aren’t on the menu.  Matt 27:51-53 is referring to an actual event where, after the crucifixion, God raised the dead as a sign of Christ’s deity.  These people weren’t flesh-eating zombies – they were real people brought back completely whole and healthy.

Zech 14:12 is a little lengthier of an explanation.  The context to that verse is that Zechariah was prophesying that Jerusalem would be attacked, and Israel would be taken into captivity because of their idolatry (Zech 14:1-2).  However, after that captivity, there would be hope when God returned to bless His people again (Zech 14:9)… and with them, the rest of mankind.  This chapter is talking about when Christ would come and bless mankind by creating spiritual Israel (spiritual Israel is the church – Gal 6:16).  All of the language in this chapter is figurative and is discussing the plagues that fall upon those who don’t turn to Christ.  The wasting away and consumption of the flesh discussed in Zech 14:12-15 is a reference to the spiritual demise and desolation that those outside of Christ face.  In short… no zombies.