Where it Happened: Nine Resurrection Sites in the Bible

At the end of this month, my mom and dad are heading to the holy land without me. Like a puppy looking out the window when his family leaves the house, I am left behind only to dream of the wonderful places they are visiting. Pouring over maps, paying close attention to the names of places in the Bible, I imagine the sights, sounds and smells of the land full of milk and honey.

I’ve never been to Israel, and I would love to go some day. I’ve heard everyone who returns from their visit wants to go back. For now, though, I can at least make an itinerary of some exciting places to visit some sweet day. Below is a sample itinerary I compiled focusing on all the places people in Bible were raised from the dead:

1. Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:17–22): Elijah performed the first recorded resurrection in the Bible, the son of a widow. Although far away from Israel, I’d want to make a special trip to this Phoenician city. In Luke 4:14-30, Jesus angered a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth because he reminded them about this resurrection story and that God loves those far away from Israel.

2. Shunem (2 Kgs 4:18–37): Elisha followed in his master’s footsteps by raising the Shunammite woman’s son in this town in the Northern Kingdom and what would later be Jesus’ neck of the woods—Galilee. 

3. Samaria (2 Kgs 13:20-21): Evidence points to Elisha being buried in his home town, the capital of Israel. Later named Sebaste, this area is in today’s West Bank, which is under Palestinian control. However, travel is still possible, though not encouraged, by the US state department. I’d probably find a way to get there, because I’d love to see the place where Moabite raiders tried to hide a dead body in Elisha’s tomb, only for it to be raised to life due to its proximity to Elisha’s bones.

4. Capernaum (Mark 5:21-43): On the north edge of the Sea of Galilee, this is where Jesus was confronted by Jairus, a synagogue leader. Not only was the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak healed here, but our fourth resurrection location is where Jairus’s 12-year-old daughter was called back to life.

5. Nain (Luke 7:11-17): This town fascinates me the most because it’s approximately the same location as Shunem, where Elisha brought a boy back to life (see above). And, just like Elijah, Jesus raises a widow’s son here. Jesus’s wonderful work in Nain encapsulated both the great prophets’ resurrection miracles. Coincidence? I think not!

6. Bethany (John 11): Just outside of Jerusalem, this is where Jesus’s good friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. The tomb in Bethany couldn’t hold Lazarus for long, and I’d love to see the place where Jesus spoke power over death not long before his own death and resurrection.

7. Jerusalem (John 20, Matt 27:51-53): The resurrection of them all, this is where the stone was rolled away, Jesus breathed again, and our salvation was completed. It’s also where several corpses of holy people rose from their graves when Jesus gave up his spirit. There is much to see in Jerusalem, and I wouldn’t want to miss the main attraction.

8. Joppa (Acts 9:36-43): After Jesus’s resurrection, the excitement didn’t stop. Peter raised Tabitha in this port city, the same place where Jonah fled in the Old Testament. Because of its significance, the city, now called Jaffa, is a popular attraction among tourists.

9. Troas (Acts 20:7-12): To round out the nine resurrection sites in the Bible, on my way home I’d schedule a layover in Troas in modern day Turkey. Paul’s third missionary journey led him here, and even though Eutychus fell dead from a window, God’s resurrection power once again proved reliable.

I hope I get an opportunity to visit the holy land in the near future and see where the dead were raised to life. I also hope my parents have a safe enjoyable trip without me. No matter what happens, though, I know we will be raised to life again and live with Jesus in the heavenly kingdom forever. Now that’s a trip worth taking!