Jesus is Raised from the Dead

(Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10)

1After the Sabbaths,a around dawn on the first day of the week,b Mary Magdalenec and the other Mary went to take a look at the burial site.d 2Suddenly, there was a powerful earthquake, because an angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, approached the stone, rolled it away, and was sitting on top of it. 3His appearance was bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4Trembling from fear, even the guards themselves became catatonic.e

5Responding to the women, the angel said, “Stop being frightened! I know you’re looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here. He has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where hef was lying. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee, and you will see him there. Remember, I have told you!”

8So they quickly left the tomb, terrified but also ecstatic, and ran to tell Jesus’g disciples. 9Suddenly, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They went up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. 10Then Jesus told them, “Stop being frightened! Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

The Guards Report to the High Priests

11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. 12So they met with the elders and agreed on a plan to give the soldiers a largeh amount of money. 13They said, “Say that Jesus’i disciples came at night and stole him while you were sleeping. 14If this is reported to the governor, we’ll personally persuade him to keep you out of trouble.”j 15So the soldiersk took the money, did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Jesus Commissions His Disciples

(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)

16The eleven disciples went into Galilee to the hillside to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him, though some had doubts. 18Then Jesus approached them and told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every dayl until the end of the age.”m