Matthew 28
Jesus Is Risen! (28:1–10)
1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, a great earthquake occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow, 4 and the guards were shaken, for fear of him, and they became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. He has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying, 7 and go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead. And behold, he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him. Behold, I told you.” 8 The women then quickly left the tomb with fear and great joy and started running to report it to the disciples of Jesus. 9 And behold, Jesus stood before them and said, “Rejoice!” And they approached him and took hold of his feet and knelt down before him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brethren that they should go to Galilee and that there they will see me.”
The Guards Report to the Chief Priests (28:11–15)
11 While they were on their way, behold, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 After they gathered an assembly with the elders and had put together enough money, they gave it to the soldiers 13 and told them, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole his body while we were asleep. 14 And if this is heard in the presence of Pilate, we will persuade him and you will not be held accountable.” 15 And they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story was widely reported among the Jews, until this day.
The Resurrected Jesus Commissions the Apostles (28:16–20)
16 The eleven disciples proceeded into Galilee, up into the mountain where Jesus had organized them. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down, but some hesitated. 18 Jesus stepped forward and spoke to them, saying, “All authority was given to me in heaven and on the earth, 19 therefore, go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, 20 and teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you, every day, until the completion of this dispensation.”
