The Resurrection

Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:1-8; John 20:1-17

Matthew 28:1-15

At the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

And, look! There was a violent earthquake for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were so terrorized that they trembled and froze in place.

The angel spoke to the women and said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He’s not here, but has risen just as he said! Come see the place where they laid him. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. He’s going ahead of you back to Galilee. You’ll see him there as I’ve told you.”

They left the tomb quickly, a bit afraid but overjoyed, to tell his disciples. As they left, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings.” They fell at his feet and worshipped him. Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They’ll meet me there.”

While they were returning, some of those who had been on guard went back into the city and reported everything that had occurred to the chief priests. They met with the elders and agreed to pay the soldiers a large sum to keep quiet. They were to say, “His disciples came at night and stole the body while we were asleep.” Further, if the governor heard the report, they would tell him of their agreement and protect them.”

So, they took the money and did as they were instructed. Thus, this is generally believed by the Judeans down to this day.

Mark 16:1-9

When the Sabbaths were over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, came to anoint him with the spices they had bought. Every early in the morning, about sunrise on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb.

They were discussing with each other as to who would remove the stone over the door of the tomb. When they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, though it was huge. Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting there. He was on the right side, wearing long white clothing.

They were frightened, but he said to them, “Don’t be afraid! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. Look, here’s where they put him. Now, go tell his disciples—and Peter—that he’s going ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there as he said.”

And they left the tomb quickly, afraid and amazed. They spoke to no one as they left because of their fear. Now when Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he first appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Luke 24:1-8

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. When they arrived, they found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. They entered, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

As they were concerned about this, two men in shinning clothing appeared by them. In their fear, the women bowed down with their faces toward the ground. But they said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? He’s not here, but has risen. Remember what he said to you while you were still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of man must be turned over to sinful men to be crucified, and on the third day, rise again.” And they remembered his words.

John 20:1-17

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early while it was still dark. When she saw the stone rolled away, she ran and told Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved. She said to them, “They have removed the Lord from the tomb and we know not where they have laid him.”

Peter and the other disciple went to the sepulcher. Both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. He stooped down and looked in, where he saw the linen wrapping. But he did not go in.

When he got there, Simon Peter went into the sepulcher and saw where the linen wrapping lay, and the napkin that had been on his head. It was not with the other linen clothes, but in a place by itself. Then that other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb entered. When he saw he believed, though they did not yet know the scripture that Jesus must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples left and returned to where they were staying.

But Mary stood outside the tomb, weeping. As she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, where she saw two angels in white, one sitting at the head and the other at the feet of where the body of Jesus had lain.

And they said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She replied, “Because they have taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they have put him.” After she said this, she turned away.

Jesus was standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. He said to her, “Woman, why ae you crying? Whom are you looking for?”

She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you have moved him, tell me where you’ve put him and I will take him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She focused on him and said, “Rabboni,” which is to say, “Teacher!”

Jesus said to her, “Don’t touch me because I haven’t yet ascended to my Father. Rather, go and tell my brothers, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God.”