Chapter 28

¹After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. ²And there was a great earthquake. For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and went and rolled the stone back and sat upon it. ³His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was as white as snow. ⁴The men on guard trembled with fear of him, and became like dead men. ⁵And the angel said to the women,

“You need not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ⁶He is not here, he has risen, as he said he would do. Come and see the place where he was lying. ⁷Now go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead, and is going back to Galilee before you. You will see him there.’ Now I have given you my message.”

⁸And they hurried away from the tomb frightened and yet overjoyed, and ran to tell the news to his disciples. ⁹And Jesus himself met them, and said,

“Good morning!”

And they went up to him and clasped his feet, and bowed to the ground before him. ¹⁰Jesus said to them,

“You need not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee and they will see me there.”

¹¹While they were on their way, some of the guard went into the city and reported to the high priests all that had happened. ¹²And they got together and consulted with the elders, and gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ¹³and said to them,

“Tell people that his disciples came in the night and stole him away while you were asleep. ¹⁴And if news of it reaches the governor, we will satisfy him, and see that you do not get into trouble.”

¹⁵So they took the money and did as they were told. And this story has been current among the Jews ever since.

¹⁶And the eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷There they saw him and bowed down before him, though some were in doubt about it.

¹⁸And Jesus came up to them and said, “Full authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me.

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all the heathen, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit, ²⁰and teach them to observe all the commands that I have given you. I will always be with you, to the very close of the age.”