at matt.27:51-53 this scripture is not talking about a resurrection from the dead because this scripture is talking about the moment Jesus died.Nobody was resurrected before Jesus and Jesus promised the apostles who are called saints or holy ones that they would get a resurrection like his at his 2nd presence or 2nd coming so nobody would be resurrected before the apostles neither.Matt. 27:51-53 is simply saying that a earthquake at the time of Jesus death is so massive that holy ones bodies or corpses were raised from the memorial tombs these bodies or corpses could be visibly seen
That IS the catholic (orthodox) viewpoint.
If the thief died hours after Jesus, how did he receive paradise?
Jesus was resurrected in the "twinkling of an eye" (spiritually). He went to Hades to free those from the grave (who were saved by faith) who died before him. Spirituality is not subject to "time" like the physical realm (Aeon).
"And I went into the realm of darkness and I endured till I entered the middle of the prison. And the foundations of chaos shook. And I hid myself from them because of their wickedness, and they did not recognize me.
"Again I returned for the second time, and I went about. I came forth from those who belong to the light, which is I, the remembrance of the Pronoia. I entered into the midst of darkness and the inside of Hades,
since I was seeking (to accomplish) my task. And the foundations of chaos shook, that they might fall down upon those who are in chaos and might destroy them. And again I ran up to my root of light, lest they be destroyed before the time.
"Still for a third time I went - I am the light which exists in the light, I am the remembrance of the Pronoia - that I might enter into the midst of darkness and the inside of Hades. And I filled my face with the light of the completion of their aeon. And I entered into the midst of their prison, which is the prison of the body. And I said, 'He who hears, let him get up from the deep sleep.' And he wept and shed tears. Bitter tears he wiped from himself and he said, 'Who is it that calls my name, and from where has this hope come to me, while I am in the chains of the prison?' And I said, 'I am the Pronoia of the pure light; I am the thinking of the virginal Spirit, who raised you up to the honored place. Arise and remember that it is you who hearkened, and follow your root, which is I, the merciful one, and guard yourself against the angels of poverty and the demons of chaos and all those who ensnare you, and beware of the deep sleep and the enclosure of the inside of Hades.
"
And I raised him up, and sealed him in the light of the water with five seals,
in order that death might not have power over him from this time on.
"And behold, now I shall go up to the perfect aeon. I have completed everything for you in your hearing. And I have said everything to you that you might write them down and give them secretly to your fellow spirits,
for this is the mystery of the immovable race." -Secret John
I see this view as much more plausible in identifying the Gospels and Pauls teachings.
It explains a lot. Like when Jesus said this:
John:
This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your
fathers did eat manna, and are
dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Gnosis is a different perspective, but brings the Gospel and Paul much more alive and understanding to me.
Your mileage may vary.
