How do we know that Jesus had to rise from the dead?

The necessity of Jesus’ resurrection is grounded in Scripture, as indicated in John 20:9, where it states that they did not yet understand the necessity of his rising. Jesus’ resurrection was foretold in the Old Testament, illustrating that the events surrounding the Messiah were divinely orchestrated. Additionally, his identity as the Son of God affirms this necessity; Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:24 that it was not possible for death to hold him due to his divine nature. Lastly, integral to the Gospel message is that Christ’s death paid the penalty for sin, and his resurrection confirmed that this payment was accepted, thereby securing salvation for believers. Thus, the resurrection was not only essential for Jesus but crucial for fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.