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Questions / Jesus

How do we know he rose from the dead?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Bishop Robert Barron

Video: How do we know Jesus rose from the dead?, Bishop Robert Barron, published Jan 8, 2014. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Short version: real witnesses, an empty tomb, and people willing to die rather than deny it. The Church calls it a real event, historically witnessed. CCC 639

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

The Church calls the Resurrection a real event, with manifestations that were historically verified, as the New Testament bears witness. CCC 639

By about AD 56 Paul was already passing on a list of witnesses who saw the risen Jesus. CCC 639 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

The empty tomb isn’t a direct proof by itself, but it was an essential sign and the first step toward recognizing the Resurrection. CCC 640

Our words

Witnesses, an empty tomb, and frightened people who suddenly couldn’t be shut up. Something happened. The question is what.

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Sources on this page

How we know · 2 Catechism paragraphs · 1 Bible passage
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 639, 640 (official text on vatican.va).
  2. Scripture (World English Bible, Catholic edition, public domain; modern verse numbers, Douay-Rheims numbers in brackets where they differ): 1 Corinthians 15:3-6.

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.