Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:52

"and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised;" — Matthew 27:52 (ASV)

And the graves were opened. Graves, or sepulchres, were most commonly made, among the Jews, in solid rocks, or in caves of rocks. The splitting of the rocks, therefore, would lay them open. The graves were opened by this earthquake, but the dead in them did not rise until after his resurrection.

And many bodies of the saints—arose. Of course, it is not known who these were, nor what became of them. It is probable that they were persons who had recently died, and they appear to have been known in Jerusalem. At least, if the ancient saints had risen, they would not have been known, and would not so soon have been credited as those who had recently died.

Which slept. Which had died. The death of saints is often called sleep, Daniel 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:15.

Which slept (Daniel 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:14).