Did Jesus Rise ‘Again’?

by CNS · October 4, 2021

By Father Kenneth Doyle – Question: I am confused about a statement which is in both the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. It says that Jesus “rose again” from the dead. When did he rise the first time?

Answer: Some years ago – seven, in fact – I answered a similar question in this column. But it comes up repeatedly, so it might be worth another try. No, Jesus did not rise from the dead a second time. The most common meaning of the word “again” is “once more,” which prompts your question.

But another valid and oft-used meaning is “anew,” and so we hear things like, “The runner fell rounding first base, but he got up again and made his way to second.” So Jesus rose from the dead only once, on Easter. He lived once, he died once and now he lives again.