Resurrection

The New Testament functions as a symbol of moral awakening and inner transformation in Resurrection. Unlike the formal religion of the Orthodox Church, which Tolstoy criticizes for its alignment with state power and moral emptiness, the Gospels represent a direct, personal encounter with truth. Nekhlyudov receives a copy of the New Testament from an English missionary during his journey with the prisoners. At first, he reads it without focus, unsure what it offers. However, in a moment of grief and crisis—after witnessing the death of the idealistic Kriltsov and encountering a ragged man who lives by spiritual conviction alone—he turns to the Gospels with sincerity. A parable about a forgiven servant who refuses to show mercy strikes him with sudden clarity. For the first time, he understands that true justice does not come from law, punishment, or institutions, but from love, humility, and compassion. The New Testament transforms from a religious object into a moral compass. It marks the turning point in Nekhlyudov’s journey—not just from guilt to atonement, but from passive remorse to active moral purpose. Through the New Testament, Tolstoy illustrates his belief that spiritual renewal begins not in churches or courts, but in the conscience of the individual person.