Matthew 28
Jesus Rises From the Dead
1The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. 7Go quickly! Tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
8So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”
The Guards Report to the Chief Priests
11While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city. They reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12When the chief priests met with the elders, they came up with a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money. 13They told the soldiers, “We want you to say, ‘His disciples came during the night. They stole his body while we were sleeping.’ 14If the governor hears this report, we will pay him off. That will keep you out of trouble.” 15So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This story has spread all around among the Jews to this day.
Jesus’ Final Orders to His Disciples
16Then the 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him. But some still had their doubts. 18Then Jesus came to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.”