Where Does the Saying ‘He Is Risen; He Is Risen, Indeed’ Come From?
A traditional Easter greeting in the Western church is the exclamation “He is risen!” and the traditional response is “He is risen, indeed!” The words are sometimes accompanied by the exchange of three kisses on alternate cheeks, depending on the church. In the Orthodox and Catholic churches, the greeting is called the “Paschal greeting” and is a very old custom.
The greeting is ultimately based on Luke 24:34. Translations throughout church history, from the Latin Vulgate (c. AD 400) to the ESV (2001) have translated this verse nearly identically: “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (ESV). Exactly how the saying became a standard greeting in the church is not known, although there are various theories regarding how it came into common usage.
We do know that, at first, the greeting was more common in Eastern and Byzantine liturgies than in the Western church. There is a tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church that the saying was made popular by Mary Magdalene when she supposedly addressed Emperor Tiberius in Rome with the words “Christ is risen.”
Using this address should be more than an empty tradition. The words “He is risen!” remind us of the joyous news we celebrate at Easter, that Jesus’ death was not in vain, and that He has the power to overcome death. Saying “He is risen!” allows us to share this incredible truth with each other. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope for salvation and for our own resurrection and eternal life.
Got Questions Ministries. (2002–2013). Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered.
Andrew Peterson – Risen Indeed
And so the winter dies with a blast of icy wind
Like a mournful cry, it’s giving up the ghost again
Another sheet of snow melts away to gold and green
Look at Peter go, he’s racing to the tomb to see
Where has my Jesus gone?
He is not dead
He is risen
Risen indeed
And now the flowers bloom like a song of freedom
Behold the earth is new, if only for the season
And so the seed that died for You becomes a seedling
Just put your hand into the wound that bought your healing
And let your heart believe
He is not dead,
He is risen
Risen indeed
And the rain will fall on the furrow
It immerses the earth in sorrow
Mary, the sun will rise again
Mary, the sun will rise again
Daughter, listen, listen
Daughter listen
He speaks your name
And Father Abraham could not have dreamed of this
Could never understand the end of all those promises
How all the pieces fit, every star and grain of sand
Is safely hid in Jesus’ hand
Let every tongue confess
He is not dead
He is risen, risen
He is not dead
He is risen
Risen indeed
Oh Mary, the sun will rise again
Mary, the sun will rise again
Daughter, listen, listen
Daughter listen
He speaks your name
Written by: Andrew Peterson
Album: Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1
Released: 2018
Andrew Peterson -His Heart Beats
His heart beats, His blood begins to flow
Waking up what was dead a moment ago
And His heart beats, now everything is changed
‘Cause the blood that brought us peace with God
Is racing through His veins
And His heart beats
His heart beats
He breathes in, His living lungs expand
The heavy air surrounding death turns to breath again
He breathes out, He is word and flesh once more
The Lamb of God slain for us is a Lion ready to roar
And His heart beats
So crown Him the Lord of Life
Crown Him the Lord of Love
Crown Him the Lord of All
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat?
I know, I know His heart beats
He rises, glorified in flesh
Clothed in immortality, the firstborn from the dead
He rises, and His work’s already done
So He’s resting as He rises to reclaim the Bride He won
And His heart beats
So crown Him the Lord of Life
Crown Him the Lord of Love
Crown Him the Lord of All
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat?
I know, I know His heart beats
The last enemy to be destroyed is death
The last enemy to be destroyed is death
He must reign until no enemy is left
The last enemy to be destroyed, to be destroyed is death
His heart beats, He will never die again
I know that death no longer has dominion over Him
So my heart beats with the rhythm of the saints
As I look for the seeds the King has sown
To burst up from their graves
I know, I know
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat?
I know, I know
He took one breath
And put death to death
Where is your sting, O grave?
How grave is your defeat?
How great, how great is His victory
I know, I know His heart beats
His heart beats
I know, I know His heart beats
His heart beats
Written by: Andrew Peterson, Ben Shive
Album: Resurrection Letters, Vol. 1
Released: 2018