Resurrection Morning

1After the Sabbath,a as the first day of the week was dawning, •Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it.b 3His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow.c 4The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

5But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.d 6He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.e 7Then go quickly and tell His disciples,f ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”g

8So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9Just thenh Jesus met them and said, “Good morning! ” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him.i 10Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”j

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

11As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the •chief priests everything that had happened. 12After the priestsk had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14If this reaches the governor’s ears,l we will deal withm him and keep you out of trouble.”n 15So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.o

The Great Commission

16The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.p 17When they saw Him, they worshiped,q but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.r 19Go, therefore, and make discipless oft all nations,u baptizingv them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,w I am with you always,x to the end of the age.”y