The phrases He is risen and He has risen both refer to someone rising, but they are not used in the same way. While they may appear interchangeable, they belong to different stages of English and carry different grammatical meanings. Today, He has risen is the standard form in modern English, whereas He is risen is a traditional, biblical expression most closely associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Because He is risen is heard every Easter in churches, hymns, and religious greetings, many people wonder why it doesn’t follow modern grammar rules. The answer lies in the history of the English language. This guide explains the difference, when to use each phrase and why both are correct in their own contexts.
Quick Answer
Use He has risen in modern English to indicate that someone has risen.
Use He is risen when quoting or referring to the traditional biblical expression about Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
Examples:
- ✅ He has risen from his chair.
- ✅ He is risen! (Traditional Easter proclamation.)
- ❌ He is risen from his chair. (Unnatural in modern English.)
Why People Confuse It
People confuse these expressions because:
- Both refer to the verb rise.
- Both appear in English translations of the Bible.
- He is risen sounds grammatically unusual by today’s standards.
- Religious traditions continue to preserve older forms of English.
The key difference is that He is risen reflects an older grammatical pattern, while He has risen follows modern English grammar.
He Is Risen
He is risen is a traditional expression.
Meaning
It proclaims that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead.
The phrase comes from older English, when some intransitive verbs (such as rise, come, and go) could form the perfect tense with be instead of have.
Today, this construction survives mainly in:
- Easter greetings.
- Church services.
- Hymns.
- Biblical quotations.
- Religious literature.
Examples
- He is risen!
- He is risen indeed!
- Christians celebrate the message that He is risen.
- The congregation joyfully proclaimed, “He is risen!”
- The banner read, He is risen.
He Has Risen
He has risen is the standard modern English form.
Meaning
It uses the present perfect tense with have, which is how modern English forms the perfect tense for rise.
Examples
- He has risen from his seat.
- The sun has risen.
- She has risen through the ranks quickly.
- Inflation has risen again this year.
- The athlete has risen to the top of the competition.
He Is Risen vs He Has Risen Comparison Table
| Feature | He Is Risen | He Has Risen |
|---|---|---|
| Modern English grammar | ❌ No (except as a fixed religious expression) | ✅ Yes |
| Traditional biblical usage | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (in modern translations) |
| Common in Easter greetings | ✅ Yes | ❌ Rare |
| Used in everyday conversation | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Refers specifically to Jesus in most cases | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Sometimes |
When to Use Each
Use He is risen when:
- Quoting the traditional Easter proclamation.
- Referring to Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
- Writing religious or liturgical content.
- Using historic or poetic language.
Examples:
- He is risen indeed!
- Christians celebrate because He is risen.
Use He has risen when:
- Writing modern English.
- Describing someone standing up.
- Talking about growth or increase.
- Referring to rising in rank, status, or level.
Examples:
- The temperature has risen.
- He has risen to become CEO.
Examples (10+)
- He is risen! (Traditional Easter greeting.)
- The church choir sang, “He is risen indeed!”
- Millions celebrate the message that He is risen.
- The pastor reminded everyone that He is risen.
- Easter services often begin with He is risen!
- The sun has risen above the horizon.
- He has risen from his chair.
- Her confidence has risen over the past year.
- Prices have risen significantly.
- The athlete has risen to international fame.
- His popularity has risen rapidly.
- She has risen through hard work and dedication.
Common Mistakes
❌ He is risen from the sofa.
✅ He has risen from the sofa.
❌ The stock market is risen today.
✅ The stock market has risen today.
❌ Avoiding He is risen in traditional Easter greetings because it “sounds wrong.”
✅ He is risen is a historically correct and well-established religious expression.
Memory Trick
Think of this simple rule:
- Has risen = Modern grammar.
- Is risen = Historic church language.
Ask yourself:
- Am I writing everyday English? → He has risen
- Am I quoting the Easter proclamation? → He is risen
American vs British English
There is no major difference between American and British English.
Both varieties:
- Use He has risen in modern grammar.
- Preserve He is risen as a traditional Christian expression, especially during Easter celebrations.
Similar Words and Expressions
If you’re learning commonly confused English phrases, you may also enjoy:
- Has Run vs. Has Ran
- Shown vs. Showed
- Swept vs. Sweeped
- Paid vs. Payed
- Performed vs. Preformed
- Thank You Both vs. Thanks to Both of You
- Looking Forward to Seeing You
Final Verdict
Both He is risen and He has risen are correct, but they belong to different contexts. He has risen follows modern English grammar and should be used in everyday writing and speech. He is risen is a traditional biblical expression preserved in Christian worship and Easter greetings.
If you’re writing about Jesus Christ’s resurrection in a religious context, He is risen is the familiar and meaningful choice. For all other situations involving the verb rise, He has risen is the standard modern form.
FAQs
Which is correct: “He is risen” or “He has risen”?
Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. He has risen is standard modern English, while He is risen is a traditional biblical expression.
Why do Christians say “He is risen”?
The phrase comes from older English Bible translations and Christian liturgical tradition, where some verbs formed the perfect tense with be instead of have.
Is “He is risen” grammatically correct?
Yes, as a fixed historical and religious expression. It is not the normal way to form the present perfect in modern English.
Should I write “He has risen” in everyday English?
Yes. For ordinary situations, He has risen is the correct modern form.
What is the traditional Easter response?
The traditional exchange is:
- He is risen!
- He is risen indeed!
Do modern Bible translations use “He has risen”?
Many modern translations use He has risen, while others preserve He is risen in familiar Easter liturgy or traditional wording.
Conclusion
The difference between He is risen and He has risen reflects the evolution of the English language. While modern grammar favors He has risen, the older phrase He is risen has been preserved because of its deep historical and religious significance in Christian tradition.
Understanding this distinction allows you to choose the right expression for the right audience. Use He has risen for everyday English and reserve He is risen for its traditional role in biblical quotations, worship and Easter celebrations.
Remember This
✅ He has risen = Modern English
✅ He is risen = Traditional biblical and Easter expression
Think: Modern grammar uses “has”; Easter tradition preserves “is.”
Oliver Owen is the dedicated administrator of MeanHives, ensuring smooth daily operations, maintaining content quality, supporting users, organizing educational resources, and helping learners confidently improve their English vocabulary and word-matching skills.
