In The Jesus I Never Knew, Philip Yancey imagines what life after the resurrection was like for Jesus's disciples. He likens their situation to suddenly discovering that a friend who you thought was dead has actually not died.

Yancey also clearly and comprehensively refutes two conspiracy theories about the resurrection of Jesus, firstly that someone played a trick on the disciples, and secondly that the disciples concocted a story about their savior coming back to life. Attempts to discredit the resurrection story have led to the disciples being labeled either gullible or foolish—and Yancey refutes both.

The chapter about the resurrection starts with Yancey ruminating on the irreversible nature of death, and how death can only be overcome through Christ. He continues to discuss the relationship between love and power, and how it was Jesus's choice of love over power that led him to the cross.

Yancey also argues that the claims Jesus made prior to his crucifixion would have been infinitely easier to ignore if the resurrection had not taken place. He points out that Jesus never intended to stay forever and that his resurrection was to intended to prove his triumph over death and darkness.

In a nutshell, Yancey offers a fresh and even controversial look at the resurrection. He has been criticized for creating a "politically correct" version of Jesus in this book, but ultimately, every reader must reach their own conclusion about Yancey's portrayal of events.