Medieval Sourcebook:
The Golden Legend: The Resurrection
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Here beginneth the Resurrection.
Heretofore we have made mention of deviation of the human lineage, which dureth from
Septuagesima unto Easter. Hereafter we shall make mention of the time of reconciliation.
The resurrection of our Lord Jesu Christ was the third day after his death. And of this
blessed resurrection seven things be to be considered. First, of the time that he was in
the sepulchre, that be three days and three nights he was in the sepulchre, and the third
day he arose. Secondly, wherefore he arose not anon when he was dead, but abode unto the
third day. Thirdly, how he arose. Fourthly, wherefore his resurrection tarried not until
the general resurrection. Fifthly, wherefore he arose. Sixthly, how ofttimes he appeared
in his resurrection. And the seventh, how the holy fathers which were enclosed in a part
of hell he delivered, and what he did, etc. As to the first point, it ought to be known
that Jesus was in the sepulchre three days and three nights. But, after S. Austin, the
first day is taken by synechdoche, that is that the last part of the day is taken which
dureth from Easter unto the utas of Whitsuntide, like as holy Church hath ordained. The
second day is taken all whole. The third is taken after the first part of the day. Thus
there be three days, and every day hath his night going before. And after Bede the order
of the day was changed, and the course ordained, for before, the days went before and the
nights followed, after the time of the passion that order was changed, for the nights go
before, and this is by mystery. For man first overthrew in the day and fell into the night
of sin. And by the passion and resurrection of Jesu Christ he came again from the night of
sin unto the day of grace. As touching the second consideration, it ought to be known that
it is according to reason that anon after his death he ought not to arise, but ought to
abide unto the third day, and for five reasons. The first for the signification to that
that the light of his death should cure our double death, and therefore one day whole and
two nights, he lay in the sepulchre, that by the day we understand the light of his death,
and by the two nights our double death. And this reason assigneth the gloss upon S. Luke,
Luce vicesimo upon this text. Oportebat Christum pati, etc. The second for certain
probation. For right so as in the mouth of twain or of three is the witness established,
right so in three days is proved all deed and fait veritable. And to the end to prove that
his death was veritable, he would lie therein three days. The third for to show his
puissance; for if he had arisen anon, it should seem that he had not such might for to
give him life as he had to raise him. And this reason toucheth the Apostle ad Corinthios
xv. Therefore is there first made mention of his death. Like as his death was verily
showed so his very resurrection is showed and declared. Fourthly, for to figure the
restoration. And this reason assigneth Petrus Ravenensis: Jesu Christ would be three days
in his sepulchre in figure, in benefit doing. That is to wit, to restore them that be
fallen, to repair them that be in the earth, and to redeem them that were in hell. The
fifth, for the representing of treble estate of rightful men. And this reason assigneth S.
Gregory upon Ezechiel saying: The sixth day of the week Jesus suffered death, the Saturday
he lay in the sepulchre, the Sunday he arose. The present life is yet to us the sixth day,
for in anguishes and sorrows we be tormented. The Saturday also is that we rest us in our
sepulchre, for after the death we shall find the rest for our souls. The Sunday is the
eighth day. That day we shall be free of the death and of all sorrow in body and in soul
in glory. Then the sixth day is to us sorrow, the seventh rest, and the eighth glory.
As to the third consideration, how he arose, it appeareth verily that he arose
mightily. For by his proper might he arose, Johannis nono: Potestatem habeo, etc. I have
said I have power to deliver my soul and I have power to resume it again. That is to say
to die when I will. Secondly, he arose joyously, for he took away all misery, all
infirmity, and all servitude. Whereof he saith the gospel of John, Johannis xxvi., he
said: When I shall arise again I shall advance me and go tofore you into Galilee, where ye
shall see me free and delivered. Galilee is as much to say as transmigration, that is to
say dying. Jesu Christ then, when he arose, went before us, for he went from misery to
glory, and from corruption to incorruption. Whereof S. Leo the Pope saith: After the
passion of Jesu Christ, the bonds of death broken, he was transported from infirmity to
virtue, from mortality to perpetuity, and from villainy to glory. Thirdly, he rose
profitably, for he carried with him his prey. Whereof saith Jeremy the fourth chapter,
Ascendit leo de cubili, etc. The lion is risen out of his bed. Jesus ascended on high upon
the cross, and the robber of the people enhanced himself. Jesu Christ robbed hell, wherein
was the human lineage. As he had said: Cum exaltatus fuero, etc. When I shall ascend on
high I shall draw to me all mine of whom hell hath holden and kept the souls, which were
enclosed in darkness and the bodies in sepulture. Fourthly, he arose marvellously. For he
arose without opening of the sepulchre which abode fast closed. For like as he issued out
of his mother's belly, and to his disciples, the doors closed and shut, so he issued out
of his sepulchre. Whereof is read in Scholastica Historia, of a monk of S. Laurence
without the walls, in the year of the Incarnation of our Lord one thousand one hundred and
eleven, which marvelled of a girdle with which he was girt, that without undoing or
opening it was cast tofore him. Whereof when he saw it he marvelled, and he heard a voice
in the air saying: Thus may Jesu Christ issue out of his sepulchre, and the sepulchre all
closed. Fifthly, he arose truly, for he arose in his proper body, and by six manners he
showed that he was verily risen. First, by the angel which lied not. Secondly, by many and
ofttimes appearing. Thirdly, by eating openly and by no art fantastic. Fourthly, by
palpation of his very body. Fifthly, by ostention of his wounds, by which he showed that
it was the proper body in which he had verily suffered death. Sixthly, by his presence in
coming into the house, the gates shut, when he entered suddenly and invisibly, by which he
showed that his body was glorified. Seventhly, he arose immortally, for he shall never
die, Johannis vi.: Christus resurgens, etc.
And S. Denis in an epistle that he made to Demophilus saith that Jesu Christ after his
ascension said to an holy man named Carpo, I am all ready yet to suffer for to save man;
by which it seemeth that if it were need, that yet he were ready to suffer death as it is
contained in the same epistle. This holy man, Carpo, told to S. Denis that a paynim
perverted a Christian man and brought him out of the faith. And this Carpo took such anger
therefore in his heart that he was sick. And this Carpo was of so great holiness that as
oft as he sang mass an heavenly vision appeared to him. But when he should pray for the
conversion of them both daily, he prayed God that both twain might be burnt in a fire. And
on a time about midnight he made this prayer unto God, and suddenly the house in which he
was in, was divided in two parts, and a right great furnace appeared there. And he looked
up and beheld the heaven, and saw it open, and Jesu Christ which was environed with a
great multitude of angels, and beside the furnace these two men were trembling for great
dread that they had; the which men were bitten of serpents that issued out of the furnace,
which drew them by force into the furnace; and also of other men they were reproved and
villained. And this holy man Carpo in beholding them had great delight, and took
pleasaunce in their punition; in such wise that he left the vision of heaven and set not
thereby, but was angry that they fell not suddenly into the furnace. And then as he looked
up into heaven, he saw the vision that he had before seen. And Jesu Christ which had pity
of these two men arose up out of his throne, and came unto them with a great multitude of
angels, and put forth his hand and delivered them. And Jesus said to Carpo: Smite me, from
henceforth I am ready to suffer for to save man. This ensample reciteth S. Denis. As to
the fourth article, wherefore he abode not until the general resurrection, three reasons
be assigned. The first for the dignity of his body, for he was deified and came from the
Deity, and therefore it was no reason that his body should so long lie in the earth.
Whereof David saith, Non dabis sanctum tuum videre corruptionem: Thou shalt not suffer
thine holy body to see corruption. The second reason is for the steadfastness of the
faith. For if he had not then arisen, the faith had perished, men would not have believed
that he had been very God. And that appeareth well, for in his passion, save our Lady, all
lost faith. But when they had knowledge of his resurrection they recovered it again, as
saith S. Paul, Si Christus non surrexerit vane est fides nostra: If Jesu Christ had not
risen our faith had been vain or none. The third cause for the exemplar of our
resurrection: there should be but few that should believe the resurrection to come if Jesu
Christ had not risen. And this is our example and our hope. And therefore say the
apostles, Jesu Christ is arisen and we shall arise, for his resurrection is cause of ours.
Whereof saith S. Gregory: Our Lord by example hath showed that he promised in reward, as
that we should know him to have risen. Thus in ourself we should have hope of the reward
of his resurrection, and we ought to know that Jesu Christ would not prolong his
resurrection above three days, to the end that desperation should not be in the world. As
to the fifth article, it is wherefore he arose. He arose for four things much profitable
to us; for his resurrection made the justification of our sins. She enseigneth new life of
manners, she engendereth the hope of reward, and ordaineth the resurrection of all. Of the
first saith S. Paul ad Romanos: Jesu Christ died for our sins and arose for to justify us.
Of the second: Like as Jesu Christ arose by the glory of the Father, which is a new
glorious life, so ought we in spiritual life to take new manners. Of the third: By his
great mercy God hath raised us in hope of life by the resurrection of Jesu Christ. Of the
fourth it is said to us in Scripture: Jesu Christ arose from death, for by man is death
come to men, and by man, that is Jesu Christ, the life is come to men. Thus be they the
first of dead men. Adam of them that died, and Jesu Christ of them that be alive by his
resurrection. And thus it appeareth that Jesu Christ had four properties in his
resurrection. The first is, that our resurrection is deferred unto the last resurrection,
and Jesu Christ arose the third day. As saith the gloss upon this psalm: Ad vesperum
demorabitur fletus, etc.: At evensong time shall be weeping, and on the morn gladness and
joy. The gloss saith that the resurrection of Jesu Christ is cause sufficient of the
resurrection of souls in this present time, and of the bodies in time to come. The second
property is, that we rise by him, and he arose by himself. Whereof saith S. Ambrose: How
might he seek help to raise his body, which raised other? The third property is, that we
become dust or ashes, and his body might not be turned into ashes. The fourth property is,
that his resurrection is cause sacramental of our resurrection. As touching the sixth
article, how oft he appeared the day of his resurrection. He appeared five times. First to
Mary Magdalene, Marci ultimo. After his resurrection he appeared first to Mary Magdalene,
which is figure of penitents. And for five reasons he appeared to her. First, for she
loved him most ardently. Because she loved so much, God forgave and pardoned her many
sins. Secondly, for to show that he died for sinners, Matthew ix.: Non vend vocare, etc.:
I came not for to call rightful men but sinners to penance. Thirdly, for to verify his
word, Matthew xxi.: Amen dico quia meretrices, etc.: To the hypocrites and pharisees he
saith that common women and the publicans should go before them to the kingdom of heaven.
Fourthly, for because that like as a woman was messenger of death, so a woman should be
messenger of life, after the gloss. Fifthly, like as sin abounded, so should grace more
abound, like as the apostle saith ad Romanos v. The second time he appeared to the three
Maries which returned from the monument, when he said to them: Avete, God greet you; and
then then approached him and held his feet. And that is the figure of humble prayers. To
whom our Lord appeared, as well for the reason of the nature as for the reason of the
affection. For they held his feet, which signifieth the affection of the heart. Thirdly he
appeared to S. Peter, but when or in what place it is not known, but if it were by
adventure when he returned from the monument with S. John. For it might well be that S.
Peter in some place turned from S. John, where God appeared to him, or by adventure when
he was alone in the monument. Like as it is said in Scholastica Historia, or peradventure
in a cave or a fosse. For it is read in the histories, when he renied and forsook our
Lord, that he fled into a cave where as the mountain is which is called the mountain of
the cock; or else after that it is said that he wept three days continually after that he
had renied God, and there Jesus appeared to him and comforted him, saying: Peter bear the
virtue of obedience, to whom our Lord showeth him. Fourthly he appeared to his disciples
which went to Emaus, which is as much as to say as desire of counsel, and signifieth to
visit the poor members of Jesu Christ and to help them. As it is said in the gospel: Go
and sell all that thou hast, and give it to poor people. Fifthly he appeared to his
disciples which were together in a place closed. And this signifieth religious men that be
in the world with the gates of their five wits closed. These five apparitions were the day
of his resurrection.
And these five representeth the priest in his mass when he turneth him five times to
the people. But the third turning is in silence, which signifieth the apparition made to
S. Peter, which is not known when it was made ne in what place. Sixthly he appeared the
eighth day to his disciples when S. Thomas was there, which had said that he would not
believe it till he had seen the wounds, the nails, and that he had put his hands in his
side. The seventh time he appeared fishing, Johannis ultimo, and that signifieth preachers
which be fishers of men. The eighth time he appeared to his disciples in the Mount Tabor,
Matthew ultimo, and that signifieth them that been contemplative, for in the said hill was
our Lord transfigured. The ninth time he appeared to eleven disciples where they sat at
table, whereat he reproved their incredulity and hardness of heart; by which we understand
the sinners in the eleven number of transgression set, whom our Lord by his mercy sometime
visiteth. The tenth time he appeared to his disciples in the Mount of Olives by which is
signified them that be full of mercy and that love compassion, to whom our Lord appeareth,
which is Father of mercy and of pity. From this place he ascended up into heaven. There be
three other manner of apparitions of which is made mention, which were made the day of the
resurrection, but they be not had in the text of the gospel. The first was that he
appeared to S. James the Less, which is named James Alphei, of which thou shalt find in
his legend.
The second that he appeared was to Joseph, as it is read in the gospel of Nicodemus.
For when the Jews had heard that Joseph had demanded the body of Jesus of Pilate, and that
he had put it in his monument, they were angry and had indignation on him, and took him
and put him in a secret place, where diligently they closed him and kept him, and would
have slain him after their sabbath day. And Jesus the night of his resurrection entered
into the house where he was in, and overlift up the four corners of the house, and wiped
and cleansed his visage and kissed him. And without breaking of any lock or seal he
brought him into his house in Arimathea. The third is after that it is believed he
appeared unto his mother Mary, the glorious Virgin, and how be it that the holy
Evangelists speak nothing thereof, the Church of Rome approveth it. For the same day is
made station at our Lady the major. And if we should not believe because the Evangelists
make no mention thereof, it should follow that after his resurrection he appeared not to
her; but that ought not to be believed that such a son should not leave his mother without
visiting, and do to her so little honour. And peradventure the Evangelists speak no word
of her because it appeareth not to them but to set witness of the resurrection. And the
Virgin Mary ought not to be set in for no witness. For if the words of strange women were
reputed for leasings, much more should the mother be because of the love that she had to
him that was her son. And though the Evangelists have not written it, yet they knew well
for certain that it is right that first he should enhance and comfort her that had most
pain and sorrow for his death. And that witnesseth S. Ambrose in the third book of
Virgins: Vidit Maria, etc.: Mary saw the resurrection and she believed it perfectly. Mary
Magdalene saw it and yet she doubted it. Of the seventh, how Jesu Christ drew the holy
fathers out of hell, and what he made there, the Evangelist telleth not clearly.
Nevertheless Saint Austin in a sermon, and Nicodemus in his gospels, show it somewhat. And
Saint Austin saith: Anon as Jesu Christ had rendered the spirit, the soul that was united
to his Godhead was quick and living in the deepness of hell descended. And when he was at
deepest of the darkness, like as a robber shining and terrible to the tyrants of hell,
they beheld him and began to demand and enquire: Who is he that is so strong, so terrible,
so clear and so shining ? The world, which is to us subject, sent to us never such one
dead, ne he sent to us never such gifts into hell. Who is he then that is so constant that
is entered into the furthest end of our parts, and he doubteth not only of our torments,
but yet he hath unbound them of their bonds whom we held and kept? And they that were wont
to wail and weep under our torments, assail us now by their health. And now not only they
fear us, but now threaten and menace us. And they said to their prince: What prince art
thou? All thy gladness is perished and all thy joys be converted into weepings. When thou
hangedst him in the cross thou knewest not what damage thou shouldst suffer in hell. After
these cruel words of them of hell, at the commandment of our Lord all the locks, all the
bars and shuttings been broken, and to-frushed. And lo! the people of saints that come
kneeling tofore him in crying with piteous voice, saying: Our Redeemer! Thou art come for
to redeem the world, we have abided thee every day; thou art descended into hell for us,
and leave us not, but that we be with thee when thou shalt return to thy brethren. Lord
sweet God, show that thou hast despoiled hell, and bind the author of death with his
bonds, render to the world now gladness, and quench the pains; and for thy pity unbind the
caitiffs from servitude whiles thou art here, and assoil the sinners when thou descendest
into hell, them of thy party. This said Saint Austin.
And it is read in the gospel of Nicodemus that Carinus and Leucius, sons of old Simeon,
arose with Jesu Christ. And they were adjured and sworn of Ananias, of Caiaphas, of
Nicodemus, of Joseph, and of Gamaliel, that they should tell and say what Jesus did in
hell. And they rehearsed and said: When we were with our fathers in the place of obscurity
and darkness, suddenly it was all so light and clear as the colour of the sun, like
purple, gold, and light royal, which illumined all the habitation upon us. And anon Adam
the father of the human lineage began to enjoy, saying: This light is the light of the
creator of the light sempiternal, which promised to send to us his light perpetual. And
Isaiah cried: This is the light of God the Father, like as I said living in the earth: The
people that were in darkness saw a great light. Then came our Father Simeon, and in joying
said: Glorify ye our Lord, for I received Christ, a child born in the world, in to mine
hands in the Temple, and I was constrained by the Holy Ghost to say, Nunc viderunt oculi
mei salutare tuum: I have now seen with mine eyen thine health which bringeth and hath
made it ready before the face of all thy people. After, came one which seemed to be an
hermit, and when we demanded him what he was, he answered that he was John that baptized
Christ, and he that am gone before him for to make ready his way, and showed him with my
finger when I said: Ecce agnus Dei, and am descended for to show to you that he cometh
soon to visit you. Then said Seth: When I came to the gate of Paradise for to pray our
Lord to send me his angel, and that he would give to me of the oil of mercy for to anoint
the body of Adam my father, which was sick, the angel Michael appeared to me and said:
Labour not in praying by weeping for t things here, anon they were transfigured and were
no more seen. And hereof speaketh Gregory Nyssen and S. Austin, like as is found in some
books.
Anon as Jesu Christ descended into hell, the night began to wax clear. And anon the
porter black and horrible among them in silence began to murmur, saying: Who is he that is
so terrible and of clearness so shining? Our master received never none such into hell, ne
the world cast never none such into our cavern. This is an assailer, and not debtor, a
breaker and destroyer, and no sinner but a despoiler, we see him a judge but no beseecher,
he comes for to fight and not to be overcome, a caster out and not here a dweller.
Source.
The Golden Legend or Lives of the Saints. Compiled by Jacobus de Voragine,
Archbishop of Genoa, 1275. First Edition Published 1470. Englished by William
Caxton, First Edition 1483, Edited by F.S. Ellis, Temple Classics, 1900 (Reprinted 1922,
1931.)
This chapter is from: Volume 1: The Resurrection
Scanned by Robert Blackmon. bob_blackmon@mindspring.com.
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