Witnesses had no question that Jesus was truly dead, because the Roman soldiers performed their final step in execution, which is piercing a spear through the body and heart. Jesus was publicly executed and buried, but then surprisingly the tomb was discovered open and empty. Skeptics have posed many reasons for how the tomb may have become empty, such as the theft of the body.

The most convincing fact in the mind of 1st century followers of Jesus was the testimony of a large number of people who claimed to have seen Jesus alive after his death. In fact, Jesus’ followers would repeat a statement that is also included in Paul’s letter to people in the city of Corinth between 55 AD and 57 AD. He wrote, "Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. After that he appeared to more than 500 brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive" Apparently, Jesus’ followers were so convinced about Jesus’ return from the dead (resurrection), that many chose to be killed rather than deny their belief in Jesus’ resurrection.