Lyrics
We knew he was dead
It is finished, he said
We had watched as his life ebbed away
Then we all stood around
Till the guards took him down
Joseph begged for his body that day
It was late afternoon
When we got to the tomb
Wrapped his body and sealed up the grave
So I know how you feel
His death was so real
But please listen and hear what I say
I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious Lord alive
And I knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, I'd never lived
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
And I'll never be the same again
It was his voice she first heard
Those kind gentle words
Asking what was her reason for tears
And I sobbed in despair
My Lord is not there
He said, child! it is I, I am here!
I've just seen Jesus
I tell you he's alive
I've just seen Jesus
Our precious lord alive
And I knew, he really saw me too
As if till now, I'd never lived
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
I've just seen Jesus
All that I'd done before
Won't matter anymore
I've just seen Jesus
And I'll never be the same again
I've just seen Jesus
By Larnelle;Sandi Patti
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“I’ve Just Seen Jesus” retells the movement from crucifixion grief to resurrection wonder through the perspective of a witness. The opening scene lingers at the cross and tomb: Jesus has died, Joseph receives his body, and the grave is sealed. Those details establish why the later announcement sounds so astonishing. The sorrow is answered by the direct confession that Jesus is alive.
The second scene closely reflects Mary Magdalene’s encounter near the empty tomb. She hears a gentle voice while mourning, then recognizes that the Lord is present. John 20:11-18 records that meeting, including her tears, Jesus speaking her name, and her report that she had seen the Lord. The refrain also captures the transforming force of resurrection faith: seeing the risen Christ changes how the singer understands everything that came before. Rather than treating Easter as an abstract doctrine, the song gives it the immediacy of testimony, moving from witnessed death to witnessed life and from despair to lasting change.
Related Scripture
- John 19:38-42 Joseph of Arimathea receives Jesus’ body and places it in a nearby tomb.
- John 20:11-18 Mary Magdalene meets the risen Jesus and reports that she has seen the Lord.