20 Bible Verses About Zombies (With Commentary)
The zombie apocalypse has become a popular topic in modern culture. We see movies, TV shows, and video games exploring the idea of the undead taking over the world. However, have you ever wondered what the Bible has to say about zombies?
Even though zombies as we know them don’t exist in the Bible, there are some passages that discuss dead people rising from their graves. Some of these passages have been perceived as evidence of a zombie-like phenomenon.
Today we will dive into several Bible verses linked to zombies and their meanings and implications. We will explore what these verses mean for those curious about what the Bible says on this subject or for fans of zombie fiction alike.
By digging deeper into these fascinating topics, we can gain a better understanding of such significant subjects in our culture.
Bible Verses About Zombies
Matthew 27:52-53
“The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”
This passage describes a truly peculiar event that happened following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ when the tombs opened and dead saints rose from the dead, only to appear in Jerusalem post-resurrection. While this instance can undoubtedly be interpreted as some sort of early biblical version of a zombie, we must remember that this was very much orchestrated by God.
John 11:43-44
“When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth.”
Here Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. This is not classified necessarily as a zombie but rather an incidence of resurrection.
Zechariah 14:12
“And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.”
This verse paints a picture of horrific destruction yet to come upon all those waging war against Jerusalem.
Revelation 9:5-6
“They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.”
This passage describes an army of locust-like beings that have the appearance of horses and men, given power to torment humanity for five months. These creatures are not necessarily zombies but are still terrifying in nature.
Joel 2:1-2
“Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.”
This verse describes a time of impending doom on earth. A time when humans will face great tribulations.
Isaiah 26:19
“But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.”
This passage offers hope to those who are facing death or mourning loved ones who have already passed away. It reassures them that their loved ones will rise from death.
Isaiah 26:14-15
“They are now dead, they live no more; their spirits do not rise. You punished them and brought them to ruin; you wiped out all memory of them. You have enlarged the nation, Lord; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for yourself; you have extended all the borders of the land.”
In this instance, Isaiah speaks about those killed by God as ungodly people who displeased Him.
Daniel 12:2
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
This passage talks about the resurrection of the dead with some choosing everlasting life while others not.
Revelation 20:5
“The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.”
This passage talks about a millennium time during which populating will rise from their deaths in two separate stages.
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here for he has risen, as He said. Come; see the place where He lay.”
This verse is a testament to our faith in the Christian statement about resurrection.
Revelation 1:18
“And the Living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”
Jesus was resurrected by God so that he could ultimately defeat death altogether.
Romans 14:9
“For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.”
This passage emphasizes Christ’s powers over life and death using his own resurrection as an example.
John 6:40
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
This verse emphasizes how having faith in Jesus allows one eternal life with God after our bodily deaths.
John 5:28-29
“Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in their graves will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”
In this passage Jesus speaks about his authority over judgement day. It also stresses how even those who are deemed ungodly upon their death can still be resurrected.
1 Corinthians 15:42-50
“So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
This passage speaks about how we will all be resurrected following our deaths and transformed into new beings.
John 11:25-26
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
This verse emphasizes belief in Christ as key to attaining eternal life after physical death.
Revelation 20:13-14
“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
In this verse, judgement day occurs post-resurrection during which those souls deemed unrighteous are destroyed entirely.
Psalm 71:20
“You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.”
This verse offers hope even when things seem bleak that God can still revive us even after our deaths.
Hebrews 9:27
“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment”
Our entire existence on earth leads to physical death followed by judgement day at which point our souls are deemed either righteous or sinful.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus,God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
This verse recognizes the possibility of despair following physical deaths but emphasizes belief in Christ to ultimately unite us with God.
2 Timothy 1:10
“and now has made it manifest through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”
This passage acknowledges how through Christ believers can obtain eternal life.
Job 19:25-26
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God;”
Job’s faith is evidenced when he says these words; even after his own death Job believes he shall ultimately see God.
Luke 7:11-15
“Soon afterward Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. As he drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her.”
In this passage Jesus works yet another miracle raising a mother’s son from death.
Final Thoughts
In modern times, zombies have become a popular topic. However, some may be surprised to discover that the Bible actually contains several verses that could suggest the presence of the undead.
It is important to remember that these verses do not explicitly refer to zombies and it would be incorrect to use them as evidence for the modern interpretation of them. To fully understand these verses, one must examine them in their original historical and cultural context.
Ultimately, whether or not zombies exist or will exist is a matter of personal belief and interpretation. The Bible can serve as guidance and inspiration for navigating both natural and supernatural life and death complexities across different cultures and beliefs.
