Who were raised at Christ’s death and where did they go?

Question:

Matthew 27:52-53 says "And the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." I have a friend who, based on this, believes all the Old Testament saints were raised at this time and have gone to paradise. What is the answer? Where did these people go? I see nothing to show their returning to their graves. I would like some help on this one.

Answer:

The passage only states that many saints were physically (or bodily) raised. Beyond knowing that it was only righteous people and not any of the wicked, we cannot make any assumptions. We don't know how many people were raised or how long they had been dead. For the same reason, we do not know what happened to them afterward.

As one commentator pointed out, it would probably be more impressive to see my departed grandmother walking down the street than to see Ruth. I wouldn't recognize Ruth, but I would remember my grandmother. Whether that is what happened, we don't know.

God did not choose to reveal these answers to us. To make assumptions is useless because it is totally guesswork. To base your belief on your own guesses is foolish because you and I are not the sources of truth.