At the top, a nude Christ bears a white banner in his left hand, symbolizing triumph over death. His purple robe signifies sacrifice and martyrdom, while his rhomboidal halo echoes the Byzantine tradition. The soldiers that guard the sepulcher appear surprised and confused by the event, except for one who is asleep. The use of scorcio gives these figures a high degree of dynamism.

The borders of this work show the canvas's priming, where the artist tested his colors and removed the overly thick hairs from his brushes.

This painting, signed with Greek letters on the lower edge off the canvas, belonged to the main altarpiece - of the church of the School College of María of Aragón, as were other works at the Prado Museum (P00821, P00823, P00825, P03888). A sketch or autograph reduction is in the Art Museum of Saint Louis, Missouri.