Alive: 21 Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus ChristSample

Reason 10: Jesus’ tomb was not enshrined

When a beloved person dies, we mark their grave to honor them. When a prophet or holy person dies, a shrine is made for their followers to visit.

Of the four major world religions based upon a founder, only Christianity lacks a known grave or shrine. Abraham’s Jewish holy site is at Hebron. Buddha’s holy site is in India. Mohammed’s Islamic holy site is in Medina. Each of these graves is visited by millions of people very year.

Scholars have also found the tombs of at least 50 religious leaders enshrined in Jesus’ day, but no sign of Jesus’ burial place. No one knows where Jesus was buried, because He’s no longer dead. Instead, He walked away from His tomb. According to former professor at the University of Durham James D. G. Dunn, there is “absolutely no trace” of any veneration at Jesus’ tomb.

How is Christianity different from other religions? Why is that important?

James D. G. Dunn, The Christ and the Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998), 67–68.