The Resurrection

1Now after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2Suddenly there was a severe earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were shaken and became like dead men because they were so afraid of him. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you!” 8So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9But Jesus met them, saying, “Greetings!” They came to him, held on to his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.”

The Guards’ Report

11While they were going, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12After they had assembled with the elders and formed a plan, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole his body while we were asleep.’ 14If this matter is heard before the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story is told among the Jews to this day.

The Great Commission

16So the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”