RESURRECTION MORNING

24 Onad the first day of the week,ae very early in the morning, theyM came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the bodyaf of the Lord Jesus.ag 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzlingah clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen!ai Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,aj 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayedak into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and riseal on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Elevenam and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James,an and the other women with them were telling the apostlesao these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believeap the women. 12 Peter,aq however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.N,ar So he went away, amazedas at what had happened.

THE EMMAUS DISCIPLES

13 Nowat that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven milesO,au from Jerusalem.av 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But theyA were prevented from recognizing him.a 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re havingB with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”b

19 “What things?” he asked them.

So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth,c who was a prophetd powerful in action and speeche before God and all the people,f 20 and how our chief priests and leadersg handed him over to be sentenced to death,h and they crucified him.i 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeemj Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third dayk since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”l

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slowC to believe all that the prophets have spoken!m 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffern these things and enter into his glory?”o 27 Then beginning with Mosesp and all the Prophets,q he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.r

28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther.s 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broket it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened,u and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.v 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scripturesw to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Elevenx and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”y 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.z

THE REALITY OF THE RISEN JESUS

36 Asaa they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peaceab to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrifiedac and thought they were seeing a ghost.ad 38 “Why are you troubled?”ae he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself!af Touch me and see,ag because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish,D 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 He told them, “These are my wordsah that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,ai and the Psalmsaj must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their mindsak to understandal the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written:E The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day,am 47 and repentance forF forgiveness of sinsan will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,ao beginning at Jerusalem.ap 48 You are witnessesaq of these things. 49 And look, I am sending youG what my Father promised.ar As for you, stay in the cityH until you are empoweredI,as from on high.”

THE ASCENSION OF JESUS

50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,at and lifting up his handsau he blessed them. 51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.av 52 After worshiping him,aw they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.ax 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.J,ay