Matthew 28:1–15

Resurrection Morning

28After the Sabbath, ^pas the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. ²Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. ^q3His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. ^r4The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

⁵But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. ^s6He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. ^t7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ^u‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” ^v

⁸So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. ⁹Just then ^wJesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. ^x10Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.” ^y

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

¹¹As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹²After the priests ^zhad assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money ¹³and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ ¹⁴If this reaches the governor’s ears, ^awe will deal with ^bhim and keep you out of trouble.” ^c15So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day. ^d