1 Thessalonians 4:13

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But we want you to be informed, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep [in death] so that you do not grieve, as other people do [i.e., the unsaved], who have no hope.

Cross References

Matthew 27:52

Graves opened up and the bodies of many dead saints [i.e., God’s holy people] were raised up [from the dead].

John 11:24

Martha replied to Him, “I know that he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day [i.e., the judgment day].”

Acts 13:36

For David died and was buried with his forefathers and [his body] decayed after he had served his generation according to the purpose of God.

Acts 7:60

Then he kneeled down and called out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold them responsible for this sin [of killing me].” And when he said this he fell asleep [in death].

Acts 8:2

The godly men who buried Stephen’s body mourned over his loss very deeply.

Romans 1:13

And I want you to be aware, brothers, of how frequently I [had] planned to visit you (but was prevented from doing so until now). I wanted to come in order to bear some fruit [i.e., make additional converts] among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles [i.e., unconverted people].

1 Corinthians 10:1

For I want you to be [fully] aware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and all of them passed [safely] through the [Red] Sea. [Note: This refers to God guiding the Israelites through the desert during the daytime by a cloud moving along above them. See Ex. 13:21-22].

1 Corinthians 12:1

Now concerning spiritual [i.e., supernatural] gifts, brothers, I want you to be [fully] knowledgeable.

1 Corinthians 15:6

After that He appeared to over five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, but some have died.

2 Corinthians 1:8

For we want you to know, brothers, about the trouble that we experienced in Asia. [See I Cor. 16:19]. We were under a heavy burden [which was] more than we could stand, even to the point of despairing of life.

Ephesians 2:12

[Remember] that you were at that time without Christ; [you were] excluded from citizenship in the nation of Israel; [you were] foreigners regarding the Agreements of [God’s] promises. You had no hope and were without God in the world.

Ephesians 2:3

All of us [Jews] also once lived among such people, fulfilling the improper cravings of our physical being and doing what our bodies and minds desired. In this natural [unconverted] state we were deserving of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].

1 Thessalonians 4:14

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again [from the dead], [we also believe] that God will bring [back to life], along with Jesus, those in [fellowship with] Him who have fallen asleep [in death].

1 Thessalonians 4:15

For we say this to you by [the authority of] the word of the Lord [Note: Paul was either quoting what Jesus had previously said, or was giving a revelation he had received from the Lord. See I Cor. 14:37], that we [Christians] who are [still] alive, who are left [on earth] when the Lord returns, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [Note: The point Paul is making is that the living will not be “changed” (I Cor. 15:51-52) and taken to heaven before the dead are raised].

1 Thessalonians 5:10

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep [i.e., alive or dead], we could live together with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:6

So then, we should not be [spiritually] asleep, like the rest [i.e., the unsaved world], but we should be alert and sober [i.e., in control of our senses].

2 Peter 3:4

“Why has the promise of a coming Messiah [not been fulfilled yet]? After all, since the time our ancestors died, everything has continued the same, even since the beginning of creation!”

2 Peter 3:8

But do not forget this one thing, my dearly loved ones, that as the Lord [counts time], one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.