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

Ever paused mid-email wondering whether to write “He is risen” or “He has risen”? You’re not alone. This subtle difference has sparked countless discussions in grammar forums, formal writing guides, and even church bulletins. While both phrases celebrate the same powerful message, their grammatical structure, historical usage, and stylistic implications vary—especially between American and British English. Understanding when and why to use each form isn’t just about language; it’s about maintaining clarity, consistency, and credibility in your writing—whether you’re crafting a broadcast announcement, a business communication, or a thoughtful Easter greeting.

In this article, we’ll break down the key differences between these two expressions and explore how they evolved over time. You’ll learn the grammatical reasoning behind each phrase, discover how style guides and regional preferences influence usage, and see examples of how they appear in both religious and modern communication contexts. By the end, you’ll not only know which form fits best in formal writing but also gain insight into broader principles of English usage, tone, and contextual consistency—skills that enhance everything from project management emails to online scheduling messages.

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

In modern English grammar, “He has risen” is the correct and standard form.

However, “He is risen” remains grammatically valid in older English and liturgical usage. It appears in traditional translations like the King James Bible and in centuries of hymns and prayers.

Here’s the short version:

Phrase	Grammar Type	Meaning Emphasis	Common Usage
He has risen	Present perfect tense	Completed action — “He rose from the dead”	Modern English, general writing
He is risen	Archaic “be perfect” construction	Ongoing state — “He lives and is risen”	Traditional, liturgical, poetic

Both forms are technically correct — but their usage and tone differ. Let’s explore how and why.

Understanding the Grammar Behind the Resurrection Phrase

To grasp why both forms exist, you need a quick tour of English grammar — specifically, how verbs of motion or change used to behave.

1. The Verb “Rise”

The verb “rise” means to move upward or to get up.
It’s an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn’t take an object.

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

By contrast, “raise” is a transitive verb — it needs an object:

• I raise my hand.
• God raised Him from the dead.

This difference becomes important later when interpreting the Bible’s original languages.

2. The Present Perfect: “He Has Risen”

Modern English uses have/has + past participle to form the present perfect tense.

It describes an action that happened recently or has present relevance.

• He has eaten breakfast.
• She has finished her work.
• He has risen from the dead.

So grammatically, “He has risen” means “He rose, and that event still matters now.”

This construction replaced an older one centuries ago — which brings us to “He is risen.”

3. The Archaic “Be Perfect”: “He Is Risen”

In Early Modern English, verbs of movement and change — like go, come, fall, rise — sometimes used “be” instead of “have” as the auxiliary verb.

Examples from older literature:

• He is come (now we’d say He has come).
• The sun is set (now The sun has set).
• He is fallen (now He has fallen).

So “He is risen” followed that older grammatical pattern. It’s not wrong — just archaic. It survived in religious English because the Bible and hymns preserved that language long after everyday speech moved on.

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

The earliest English Bible translations, including the King James Version (1611), used “He is risen.”

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
— Matthew 28:6 (KJV)

At that time, “be perfect” grammar was still normal. So the translators weren’t being poetic — they were simply writing contemporary English for the 17th century.

Comparing Bible Translations

Translation	Matthew 28:6
King James Version (1611)	“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
New International Version (NIV)	“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
English Standard Version (ESV)	“He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.”
New Living Translation (NLT)	“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

Notice the shift: newer translations favor “has risen.” That’s because translators adapt wording to modern grammar while keeping the meaning intact.

The Greek Behind the English

The New Testament was originally written in Koine Greek.
In Matthew 28:6, the word used is ἠγέρθη (ēgérthē), from the verb egeírō, meaning “to raise up” or “to awaken.”

Grammatically, it’s an aorist passive indicative, which literally means “He was raised.”

So a literal translation would be:

“He was raised (by God).”

English translators historically had two options:

• Render it as “He is risen” (emphasizing the present reality — He lives).
• Render it as “He has risen” (emphasizing the completed action — He rose).

Both are faithful to the Greek idea of a completed act with lasting results.

Theology and Meaning: Beyond Grammar

The choice between “He is risen” and “He has risen” isn’t just grammar — it shapes how believers understand the resurrection.

1. “He Is Risen” — The Present Reality

When you say “He is risen,” you’re not only describing a past event; you’re declaring a present truth.

It’s not He rose once, but He lives now.
This phrase conveys the ongoing victory over death.

That’s why churches use it as part of the Easter greeting:

Leader: “He is risen!”
People: “He is risen indeed!”

It’s a proclamation — alive language for a living Savior.

2. “He Has Risen” — The Completed Event

“He has risen” emphasizes the moment of resurrection — a completed historical fact.
It fits naturally in teaching, writing, or explaining the resurrection story in modern contexts.

You might say:

• “Jesus has risen from the dead, fulfilling prophecy.”
• “He has risen, proving His divinity.”

Both are true and accurate. The difference lies in tone and purpose.

Why the Traditional Phrase Endures

Despite the evolution of grammar, “He is risen” remains firmly rooted in Christian culture.

You’ll hear it in:

• Easter liturgies across Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions.
• Hymns and carols, such as “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”
• Art, film, and historical texts that echo centuries of faith.

Cultural Persistence

Language changes slowly within religion because tradition carries meaning. When words shape worship, they become sacred.

Just as English speakers still say “Hallowed be Thy name” in the Lord’s Prayer, “He is risen” endures — not from stubbornness, but reverence.

Case Study: The Paschal Greeting

Across the world, Christians share a simple yet powerful exchange on Easter:

“Christ is risen!”
“He is risen indeed!”

This greeting, called the Paschal Greeting, dates back to the early church. It appears in dozens of languages:

Language	Greeting	Response
Greek	Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!	Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!
Russian	Христос воскрес!	Воистину воскрес!
Arabic	المسيح قام!	حقًا قام!
English	Christ is risen!	He is risen indeed!

The phrase expresses joy, not mere grammar. It declares the resurrection as a living truth, not a historical footnote.

Read More: Emasculate or Demasculate: What’s the Difference?

Modern Usage: Choosing the Right Phrase Today

So, when should you use “He is risen” and when should you use “He has risen”?

Use “He is risen” when:

• Writing or speaking in liturgical or traditional contexts.
• Quoting or referencing older Bible translations.
• Creating Easter cards, hymns, or artwork.
• Emphasizing the living presence of Christ.

Use “He has risen” when:

• Writing in modern English or for a general audience.
• Teaching grammar, theology, or academic studies.
• Explaining the resurrection in plain, contemporary speech.
• Publishing online articles or blog posts for broad readership.

Example Comparison

Context	Better Choice	Example Sentence
Sermon on Easter Sunday	He is risen	“He is risen — and the tomb is empty!”
Bible study guide	He has risen	“He has risen just as He said He would.”
Social media post	Either	“He has risen! He is risen indeed!”
Church bulletin	He is risen	“Join us this Easter as we celebrate: He is risen!”

The key is to match the phrase to your purpose and audience.

Common Misconceptions

Let’s clear up a few myths about these phrases.

Myth 1: “He is risen” is grammatically wrong.

False.
It’s archaic, not incorrect. It follows older English rules where “be” served as an auxiliary for verbs of movement.

Myth 2: “He has risen” disrespects tradition.

Not at all.
Modern translations use it to aid understanding, not to discard reverence.

Myth 3: Both mean exactly the same thing.

Not quite.
They share meaning but differ in nuance — one highlights ongoing life, the other emphasizes completed resurrection.

Myth 4: You can use either randomly.

Context matters. Mixing both in formal writing can confuse tone. Choose one and stay consistent.

The Linguistic Beauty of Archaic English

Archaic phrases like “He is risen” carry a rhythm and solemnity that modern grammar sometimes lacks.

Consider these similar biblical constructions:

• He is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• The Lord is gone up with a shout.
• The harvest is past, the summer is ended.

These lines feel timeless, partly because of their musical structure — something early translators prized.

That cadence is why many people still prefer “He is risen” in worship. It sounds sacred.

The Intersection of Faith and Language

The resurrection message is universal, but language colors how we perceive it.

• Grammar shapes clarity.
• Tradition shapes emotion.
• Theology shapes meaning.

Together, they make “He is risen” not just a statement, but a celebration — a phrase heavy with history, poetry, and power.

Practical Takeaways

Here’s how to decide which phrase best fits your needs:

If your goal is tradition, choose “He is risen.”

• Ideal for church use, liturgy, hymns, and celebrations.
• Maintains the historical link to the King James Bible.

If your goal is clarity, choose “He has risen.”

• Perfect for modern readers, students, and online content.
• Reflects standard English grammar without loss of meaning.

If your goal is balance, use both — but explain the reason.

• For instance:
  
  
  “The Bible says, ‘He is risen,’ an older form that means the same as our modern ‘He has risen.’”
  
  

This teaches your audience something new while honoring tradition.

Quotes from Scholars and Writers

C.S. Lewis: “Christ has defeated death. The door which was closed has been opened once and for all.”
(Note how Lewis uses both “has” and “is” interchangeably in his writings.)

N.T. Wright, theologian: “The resurrection is not a mere event in the past. It’s a reality that shapes the present.”

These voices remind us that grammar may evolve, but the message remains eternal.

Table: Summary of Key Differences

Aspect	“He Is Risen”	“He Has Risen”
Grammar	Archaic “be perfect” tense	Modern present perfect
Era of Use	14th–17th centuries (still in liturgy)	18th century–present
Tone	Formal, reverent, poetic	Clear, modern, explanatory
Emphasis	State of being alive	Action of rising
Context	Worship, hymns, liturgy	Education, writing, conversation
Translation Example	KJV, Douay-Rheims	NIV, ESV, NLT
Common Response	“He is risen indeed!”	“He has risen indeed!”

Language, Faith, and Continuity

Language isn’t static; it lives and breathes — much like faith itself.
The reason “He is risen” endures is the same reason believers still say “Amen”: some words feel sacred because of the truth they carry.

So whether you say “He is risen” or “He has risen,” what matters most is the reality behind the words.

Conclusion: Both Are Correct — and Both Matter

In the end, both “He is risen” and “He has risen” carry the same powerful message of resurrection and hope—but they differ in tone, tense, and context. The traditional form, He is risen, reflects older English usage often seen in religious or ceremonial writing, while He has risen aligns with modern grammar conventions and fits better in formal communication or contemporary writing. Choosing between them depends on your audience, purpose, and the level of formality you want to convey.

By understanding these subtle distinctions, you’ll not only write with greater accuracy and confidence, but also maintain linguistic consistency across your emails, presentations, and published materials. Whether you follow American or British style guides, using the right phrase at the right time reflects strong language awareness—a hallmark of effective communication, time management, and professional writing.

FAQs:

1. What’s the main difference between “He is risen” and “He has risen”?

The key difference lies in grammar and tense. “He is risen” uses an older form of English (present perfect with “to be”), common in biblical or traditional religious texts. “He has risen” follows modern grammar rules (present perfect with “to have”) and is standard in contemporary English writing.

2. Is “He is risen” grammatically correct today?

Yes—but it’s considered archaic or liturgical. You’ll mostly find it in religious contexts, hymns, or Easter greetings, rather than everyday writing. In formal or professional communication, “He has risen” is the grammatically consistent choice.

3. Which version should I use in formal writing?

In formal writing, academic papers, or business communication, “He has risen” is preferred. It aligns with modern grammar standards and ensures clarity and consistency, especially if your organization follows AP, Chicago, or Oxford style guides.

4. Does the choice depend on regional preference (US vs. UK)?

Slightly. Both the US and UK understand “He is risen”, but British English retains a bit more tolerance for traditional expressions. However, in both regions, “He has risen” is the more common and natural form in modern writing.

5. Can I use “He is risen” in online or business contexts?

Only if the tone is symbolic, religious, or ceremonial—for instance, in a church announcement or Easter broadcast. For emails, project management updates, or meeting summaries, use “He has risen” to maintain professionalism and clarity.

6. Why does “He is risen” sound more powerful or poetic?

Because it reflects the language of the King James Bible, where rhythm and emphasis mattered as much as grammar. That slightly archaic form gives it a timeless, solemn, and majestic tone—perfect for spiritual writing or liturgical recitations.

7. Is one phrase more “correct” than the other?

Not exactly. Both are correct within their contexts. “He is risen” is correct in historical or religious writing, while “He has risen” is correct in modern grammar and everyday English usage. The “right” choice depends entirely on your audience and purpose.