An Unbeliever’s Theory: Jesus Did Not Die

by Paul K. Williams

In December 1983, I debated Ahmed Deedat, head of the Islamic Propagation Society, on whether Jesus was raised from the dead. Deedat tried to show from the New Testament that Jesus did not die on the cross. He said Jesus became unconscious, that the thrust of the spear in his side was little more than a scratch which prodded him back to consciousness, that when Joseph of Arimathea buried him he realized that Jesus was still alive, and that before the guard could be placed on the tomb Joseph came back and took away the still living Jesus.

An ingenious theory. But a badly flawed theory.

First, since Deedat tried to prove his theory with the Bible, he had to twist many scriptures and ignore many others. He would have done better to spin his theory without regard to what the New Testament said. But since Islam’s holy book, the Koran, says that Jesus was a prophet and shows a regard for the New Testament, Deedat tried to fit his theory into what was written about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.

I thought his theory was one of the best unbelievers have invented to explain the empty tomb. Unbelievers have a terrible time with the fact that three days after His crucifixion Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. They would deny it if they could, but the fact is too clear to deny, If the Jews could have produced Jesus’ body, they would have done so! His body was not in the tomb. So Deedat had to figure out something in order to “explain” why the tomb was empty.

But his theory flies in the face of the facts as reported by the witnesses, and it is contrary to common sense.

The eyewitnesses say that Jesus “yielded up His spirit,” “breathed his last,” and that the centurion in charge certified Jesus was dead. (Matthew 27:50, Mark 15:37,39,44-45) An officer in his position would be careful to make sure a prisoner was dead before he would give his word! According to the eyewitnesses, both friends and foes, Jesus died!

The other fact unbelievers cannot deny is that the apostles became changed men within a few days of Jesus’ crucifixion. They fearlessly preached that they had seen Jesus after He was raised from the dead, and they preached His death and resurrection as the central fact of the gospel. They never changed their testimony, and nearly all were killed because of what
they preached. Their actions were the actions of convinced men, men who truly believed Jesus had been raised from the dead.

Deedat explained that Jesus appeared to them after Joseph took him out of the tomb. The disciples mistakenly thought He had been raised and therefore preached what they truly believed.

But these hard-headed men could not have been deceived by a Jesus who was recovering from near death on the cross. Three days after His crucifixion, the women who went to the tomb reported that they saw Jesus and that He said, “Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me” (Matthew 28:10). There by the Sea of Tiberias Jesus appeared to His disciples and ate with them (John 21:1-14). Common sense says that a man who nearly died from hanging on a cross would not be in shape a few days later to make an 80-mile journey by foot or donkey over mountainous roads in order to meet His disciples! Such an explanation can never be believed except by those who close their eyes to facts.

Another problem with the theory is this: If Joseph of Arimathea knew Jesus did not die, why did he not tell the disciples? Why did he allow them to risk their lives for a lie? He surely needed help moving Jesus from the tomb and nursing him back to health. Why did not one of those who knew the truth stop the disciples from preaching a lie and throwing their lives away for it? And why would Jesus, Himself, let them believe a lie?

The theory that Jesus became unconscious on the cross but revived in the tomb and was taken from there alive is ingenious. But it cannot stand the scrutiny of men who are searching for truth. The eyewitness testimony is too clear and detailed, and the ridiculous assumptions required to believe the theory are so fantastic that the theory must be dismissed. It cannot be true.

The truth is that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and was raised on the third day. He is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father. He can be your Savior, and He will surely be your Judge on the last day. Believe in Him and obey Him. He is the Son of God.