It was impossible for Jesus to be held by death. In his first post-resurrection public address to the people, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims the resurrected Christ. His speech sums up the doctrine of the resurrection. His interest is not an apologetic defense of the resurrection. He uses neither the post-resurrection appearances nor the empty tomb as proofs (as we would expect). Rather, he sees the Scriptures and Jesus’ life and ministry as sure proofs for a belief in Jesus’ resurrection. In other words, Peter says that we can better understand the resurrection by knowing who Jesus is. “ Jesus was from God, as the mighty works and signs that God worked through him proves. Jesus didn’t happen just by chance. He was sent by God. As a matter of fact, God recommended him to us! He had a job to do, and he completed the task and has returned to the Father.”
Jesus’ resurrection rests on God’s plan. It is God’s interest in life that made Jesus to happen. As such, it is unthinkable that God would then abandon Jesus to death and its corruptive power. How can Jesus who gave life to many of his brothers and sisters by releasing them from the powers of darkness himself be subject to death’s corruptive power? How can a giver of life himself not have life? It is impossible for Jesus to be held by death. The life and works of Jesus are enough proof of his resurrection. Peter needed not to meet the resurrected Christ. Him witnessing the Scriptures unfold in Jesus’ life was enough proof for him.