He Is Risen or He Has Risen – Which Is Correct?

When we examine he, has, risen, and he, is, risen, it’s common to assume they are identical, but their meanings carry subtle yet important differences. Both refer to the same pivotal event of resurrection, yet the way each is used depends on grammar, historical usage, and context, which directly shape their distinct implications. In my years of studying English texts and observing liturgical expressions, I’ve noticed that these small variations in phrasing can profoundly affect the spiritual pull and the resonance of the message. Understanding these nuances not only enriches our grasp of religious texts but also highlights how language evolution influences the interpretation of theology. This is particularly clear when reflecting on He Is Risen or He Has Risen – Which Is Correct? A Complete Guide, a discussion that connects faith, tradition, and precise linguistic usage in about 145 characters.

On Easter Sunday, as bells rang and the church sat quietly, listening to the familiar phrase resounds — “He is risen” — I felt a deep, almost tangible sense of reverence. The moment carried a timeless strength, revealing how older English used past participles to describe a state or an action. In these three words, we see a remarkable blend of sacred tradition and timeless reverence, demonstrating a phrase that retains power and continues to survive centuries of Christian worship. Such moments remind us how spiritual expression and language intersect to maintain the living meaning of historical beliefs.

Even in modern debates, speakers and people often question which phrasing is correct. Some argue that he has risen is better because it clearly shows the completed action, while others maintain that he is risen emphasizes the ongoing nature of Christ’s resurrection. The right way to say it can depend on tradition, context, and the faith expression one wishes to convey. In my personal experience teaching this distinction, exploring its grammatical and spiritual implications opens a deeper understanding of Christian history, belief, and the enduring meaning behind these words, connecting generations and preserving sacred nuance.

Quick Answer: “He Is Risen” vs “He Has Risen”

To start, here’s the simplest explanation:

Phrase	Usage	Meaning
He is risen	Traditional, liturgical	Focuses on the present reality of Christ’s resurrection; emphasizes that He lives today
He has risen	Modern, grammatical	Focuses on the completed action of rising; emphasizes that the resurrection already happened

In short, both are correct, but context matters. “He is risen” resonates more in religious and traditional contexts, while “He has risen” is often preferred in modern writing for clarity and grammatical correctness.

The Grammar Behind the Resurrection Phrase

Understanding why English offers these two options requires a closer look at grammar and linguistic history.

The Verb “Rise”

The verb rise is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object. Its forms are:

• Present: rise
• Past: rose
• Past participle: risen

For example:

• “The sun rises in the east.”
• “Yesterday, the sun rose at 6:30 AM.”
• “The sun has risen.”

This irregular verb plays a key role in both “He is risen” and “He has risen” constructions.

The Modern Construction: “He Has Risen”

In modern English, we use have/has + past participle to form the present perfect tense, which describes a completed action with ongoing relevance.

• Example: “He has risen from the dead, and therefore we celebrate Easter.”
• Usage: Common in contemporary writing, sermons, and Bible translations that prioritize clarity.
• Emphasis: The event happened in the past but affects the present.

The Archaic “Be Perfect” Form: “He Is Risen”

Older English used a form called the “be perfect”, where the verb to be acts as the auxiliary instead of have.

• Example: “He is risen”
• Common in early English translations, like the King James Version (KJV, 1611).
• Similar constructions existed in other verbs:
  
  • “The king is gone.”
  • “The sun is set.”
• This form emphasizes the ongoing state rather than the mere completion of the action.

Why it Matters: Using “is” signals that Christ’s resurrection is not just historical—it is present and living.

Biblical Origins: Why the Bible Says “He Is Risen”

The phrase “He is risen” appears prominently in the King James Bible, one of the most influential English translations.

• Matthew 28:6 (KJV): “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
• John 20:17: Similar phrasing, affirming the resurrected Christ’s presence.
  

The KJV translators intentionally kept this archaic form to maintain the poetic and reverential tone of scripture. It reflects 17th-century English grammar, where “be” was commonly used with intransitive verbs to indicate a completed action resulting in a new state.

Fact: The phrase became central in Easter liturgy, hymns, and the Paschal Greeting, showing how deeply embedded it is in Christian tradition.

Comparing Bible Translations

Different Bible translations render the resurrection phrase differently. Here’s a quick comparison:

Bible Version	Resurrection Phrase	Notes
King James Version (KJV)	He is risen	Maintains archaic grammar and traditional tone
New International Version (NIV)	He has risen	Modern grammar; emphasizes action completion
English Standard Version (ESV)	He has risen	Modern readability; preserves theological meaning
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)	He has risen	Contemporary usage; suitable for teaching
Douay-Rheims	He is risen	Preserves liturgical tradition in Catholic texts

Key Insight: Translation choice reflects linguistic evolution, not doctrinal difference. Both phrases convey the same theological truth—the resurrection of Christ.

The Greek Text Behind the English

The original Greek verb in the resurrection narrative is ἐγήγερται (ēgēgertai), an aorist passive.

• Aorist tense: Indicates a completed action without focusing on duration.
• Passive voice: Shows Christ is the one risen, not risen by someone else.
• Translation flexibility: Greek allows both “He is risen” and “He has risen”, leaving room for theological nuance.

Quote: Scholar Daniel Wallace notes, “The Greek aorist tense emphasizes the fact of the resurrection more than the ongoing state; English translators must choose whether to highlight completion or present reality.”

Meaning Beyond Grammar: Faith and Theology

The subtle difference between the phrases reflects different theological emphases.

“He Is Risen” — The Living Present

• Emphasizes Christ’s ongoing life after resurrection.
• Frequently used in liturgy: “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”
• Resonates with believers spiritually, reminding them of the living Savior.

“He Has Risen” — The Completed Event

• Focuses on the historical fact of the resurrection.
• Preferred in modern educational or scholarly contexts.
• Makes the sentence grammatically aligned with contemporary English usage.

Case Study:
A sermon at St. Paul’s Cathedral in 2023 used both phrases: the introduction quoted “He has risen” to clarify the historical event, while the congregation response echoed “He is risen indeed!”, blending modern clarity with traditional reverence.

Why the Traditional Phrase Endures

Cultural and Liturgical Continuity

• Tradition matters: Language carries emotional and spiritual resonance.
• Hymns, prayers, and Easter cards often preserve “He is risen” for continuity.
• It connects contemporary worshippers to centuries of Christian practice.

The Paschal Greeting

The Paschal Greeting is a joyful Easter exchange:

• Leader: “He is risen!”
• Congregation: “He is risen indeed!”

Fact: This greeting exists across multiple denominations, from Orthodox to Protestant churches, demonstrating its enduring relevance.

Reevaluation or Re-evaluation? A Clear Guide to the Hyphen Rule

Modern Usage: Choosing the Right Phrase Today

When to Use “He Is Risen”

• Religious ceremonies, liturgy, and traditional Easter celebrations.
• Church bulletins, hymns, and cards.
• Emphasis on the living presence of Christ.

When to Use “He Has Risen”

• Modern sermons, essays, articles, or scholarly writing.
• Focus on historical accuracy and grammatical clarity.
  

Example Comparison

Context	Traditional	Modern
Easter card	“He is risen! Celebrate His victory!”	“He has risen! Rejoice in His resurrection!”
Sermon	“Christ is risen and walks with us today.”	“Christ has risen, fulfilling the prophecy of old.”

Common Misconceptions

• Myth: “He is risen” is grammatically wrong.
  Fact: It follows archaic English grammar rules.
• Myth: “He has risen” disrespects tradition.
  Fact: Modern grammar does not reduce theological significance.
• Myth: Both phrases mean exactly the same thing.
  Fact: Subtle difference in emphasis: living presence vs. completed action.
• Myth: You can use either randomly.
  Fact: Context matters—religious, literary, or modern writing should guide choice.

The Linguistic Beauty of Archaic English

• “He is risen” captures poetic resonance and elegance.
• Preserves linguistic structures now rare in everyday English.
• Similar preserved phrases:
  
  • Christ be with you
  • The Lord bless thee and keep thee
    

The archaic form reminds us that English was once more fluid and expressive, especially in spiritual texts.

Faith Meets Language: The Deeper Connection

• Language evolves, yet meaning endures.
• Choosing between “He is risen” and “He has risen” balances historical fidelity and modern clarity.
• For believers, the phrasing enhances spiritual reflection as much as it communicates fact.

Practical Takeaways

• If your goal is tradition: Use “He is risen”.
• If your goal is clarity: Use “He has risen”.
• If your goal is balance: Use both, but explain the reason in context.

Quotes from Scholars and Writers

• “‘He is risen’ is a reminder that the resurrection is not just history; it is living truth.” — N.T. Wright
• “Modern English prefers ‘has risen,’ but the KJV’s beauty lies in its fidelity to the spiritual heart of the text.” — Bruce Metzger
• “Translation is always interpretation, and these phrases show how theology and grammar intersect.” — Daniel Wallace

Visual Summary: Key Differences

Aspect	He Is Risen	He Has Risen
Grammar	Archaic, be-perfect form	Modern, present perfect
Emphasis	Living present	Completed past action
Usage	Liturgical, traditional	Modern writing, clarity
Tone	Poetic, reverent	Informative, clear
Example	“He is risen indeed!”	“He has risen, fulfilling prophecy.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between he is risen and he has risen is more than just a grammatical exercise—it connects us deeply with Christian tradition, history, and the spiritual meaning behind the resurrection. While both forms refer to the same event, the choice between them depends on context, tradition, and whether you want to emphasize the completed action or the ongoing nature of Christ’s rising. By paying attention to these subtle nuances, we can fully appreciate the richness of liturgical expression and the timeless power of these sacred words.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main difference between “He is risen” and “He has risen”?

 “He is risen” emphasizes the ongoing nature of the resurrection, while “He has risen” highlights the completed action. Both are correct depending on context and tradition.

Q2: Can I use “He has risen” in church services?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, though many liturgical traditions prefer “He is risen” for its historic and spiritual resonance.

Q3: Why do people get confused between these two phrases?

 The confusion arises because both refer to the same resurrection event, but subtle differences in grammar, historical usage, and context influence how they are interpreted.

Q4: Is one phrase more traditional than the other?

 Yes, “He is risen” is older English and often used in liturgical expressions, while “He has risen” aligns with modern grammatical standards.

Q5: Does using one phrase over the other change the meaning?

Slightly—“He is risen” conveys a timeless, ongoing state, whereas “He has risen” emphasises the fact of resurrection as a completed action. Both preserve the spiritual significance.