Who are the holy ones at Matthew 27:52?

Do JW's believe that the holy ones are the 144,000 bought from the earth? I have been told by JW's that the holy ones that died before Christ’s resurrection are not of the heavenly class. If so, who are the holy ones referred to that have fallen asleep in the memorial tombs at Christ’s death? Matt. 27:52

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the term "holy ones" applies exclusively to the chosen ones; ultimately totalling 144,000. The NWT uses the expression holy ones dozens of times – almost always in reference to anointed Christians. However, Matthew 27:52 appears to be an exception. Those “holy ones” apparently were pre-Christian prophets and perhaps priests. Christian writers thrice referred to the “holy prophets” prior to Christ. So, the term “holy ones” might be considered as an alternative to “holy prophets” in that particular passage.

Interestingly, the Gospel accounts do not refer to the apostles and disciples as “holy ones.” In fact, the only usage of the term in the entire Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) is at Matthew 27:52. That’s because the apostles and disciples did not become holy ones until after Jesus ascended back to heaven and poured out the anointing holy spirit on Pentecost 33C.E. Since those who are described as “holy ones” at Matthew 27:52 died before the original anointing on the day of Pentecost they could not be of the same group of holy ones that belong to Christ.

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