ἀνάστασις (anastasis)
anastasis
resurrection
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 40 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun anastasis literally means a "standing up" or "rising." In classical Greek and inscriptions, it often referred to the erection of a monument or statue. The New Testament repurposes this concrete image for spiritual reality, using it primarily to describe a rising from death. This usage appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts, where it anchors the Christian message in historical events rather than abstract philosophy.
The word carries distinct nuances depending on its context. It can refer to Jesus’ own resurrection, as Paul writes about being conformed to His resurrection in Romans 6:5. It also describes the raising of individuals in Old Testament history, such as the widow’s son in Hebrews 11:35. Most significantly, it denotes the general future resurrection of all people, a topic debated by Jesus with the Sadducees in Luke 20 and discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15.
A notable feature is how translators handle the prepositions attached to the word. Phrases like "resurrection of the dead" (Acts 24:15) or "resurrection to life" (John 5:29) clarify whether the focus is on the event itself or its outcome. This linguistic precision helps readers distinguish between the resurrection of believers and that of judgment, reflecting the early church’s careful theological development around this core hope.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word anastasis carries a simple physical image: to stand up again. In the New Testament, this concrete action becomes the foundation of Christian hope. It is not merely a spiritual metaphor but a promise that death is not the final end. When Jesus speaks of Himself as the resurrection and the life, He offers a future where pain and separation are overcome by God’s power.
This hope shapes how believers live today. Knowing that God can raise the dead encourages us to trust Him with our present struggles. It reminds us that our current lives are part of a larger story, one that ends in restoration rather than loss. This assurance allows us to face uncertainty with peace, knowing that God’s promises are steadfast.
Whether we look back at Jesus’ own rising or forward to the day when all will be made new, anastasis points to God’s victory over darkness. It invites us to rest in the certainty that love is stronger than death, and that every tear will eventually be wiped away by a faithful Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 40 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- resurrection27×
- a resurrection6×
- [the] resurrection5×
- rising up1×
- resurrection,1×
- about [the] resurrection1×
- [that] a resurrection1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀναστάσεως16×
- ἀνάστασιν12×
- ἀνάστασις6×
- ἀναστάσει6×
- ἀναστάσεώς1×
- ἀναστάσει,1×
Key Verses
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John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.
Jesus identifies Himself as the source of resurrection, shifting the concept from a future event to a present relationship with Him.
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Acts 4:33
With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
The apostles’ bold testimony centered on Jesus’ resurrection, showing it was the core evidence for their message of grace.
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Luke 20:36
For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.
Jesus describes those in the resurrection as children of God who can no longer die, highlighting the eternal nature of this new life.
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Acts 24:15
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Paul expresses hope for a universal resurrection of both the just and unjust, reflecting the broad scope of God’s final judgment and restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does anastasis mean in the New Testament?
How is anastasis different from zoe?
Why do the Sadducees deny resurrection?
Does anastasis refer only to Jesus?
Every Occurrence (40 verses across 12 books)
Matthew 4 verses
On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him,
Matthew 22:28In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.”
Matthew 22:30For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven.
Matthew 22:31But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,