The saints raised at the crucifixion

The Jewish Encyclopedia notes that it is stated not he alone arose from the grave, but many saints arose with him, just as many saints in Jewish folk-lore overcame death. It adds that resurrection is proof of the working of the Holy Spirit.

Joseph Jacobs (1854-1916), Kaufmann Kohler (1843-1926), Richard Gottheil (1862-1936) and Samuel Krauss (1866-1943), The Jewish Encyclopedia (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1901-1906), s.v. 'Jesus of Nazareth' — section 'The Resurrection' (part 'In Jewish Legend')

Jerome says that as Lazarus rose, many bodies of the saints rose again to show forth the Lord’s resurrection. Although the graves were opened, they did not rise before the Lord rose, so that He might be the first-born of the resurrection from the dead.

Jerome (c. 347-420), as collected by Thomas Aquinas, Catena Aurea: Commentary on the Four Gospels, Collected out of the Works of the Fathers, vol. 1: St. Matthew (trans. John Henry Newman et al.; Oxford: John Henry Parker, 1841) — gloss on Matt. 27:52-53

Aquinas reports that some hold the saints who rose with Christ were raised to life so as never to die again, since a second death would be a greater torment. On Jerome's reading, they did not rise before the Lord rose; the Evangelist therefore says they came out of the tombs after His Resurrection and appeared in the holy city.

Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274), Summa Theologica, Part III, q. 53 (trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province, 1920; New Advent text) — III, q. 53, a. 3, reply to objection 2 ('Whether Christ was the first to rise from the dead')

Chrysostom reads the saints’ rising and appearing as a greater sign than Lazarus’s resurrection. If Lazarus rising on the fourth day was great, how much more that those long asleep appeared alive at once. He calls this a sign of the future resurrection, citing that many bodies of the saints arose, went into the holy city, and appeared to many.

John Chrysostom (c. 349-407), Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew (trans. George Prevost, rev. M. B. Riddle), in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, ser. 1, vol. 10 (ed. Philip Schaff; Buffalo: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1888) — Homily LXXXVIII (on Matt. 27:45-53)

Calvin says Christ’s death displayed divine power even to hell, opening other tombs as he was about to be buried. He is unsure whether the graves opened before the resurrection, but thinks the saints’ resurrection followed Christ’s own resurrection.

John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, vol. 3 (trans. William Pringle; Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1846; CCEL text) — Commentary on Matthew 27:52

Barnes says the graves were opened by the earthquake, but the dead did not rise until after his resurrection. Many bodies of the saints arose, though it is not known who these were or what became of them. He suggests they were probably people who had recently died, and they appear to have been known in Jerusalem.

Albert Barnes (1798-1870), Notes on the New Testament, Explanatory and Practical, enlarged type ed., ed. Robert Frew (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; CCEL text) — note on Matthew 27:52