The Father Raises His Son

The women reach the tomb at dawn and find it open, the guards like dead men, and an angel saying his Father has raised him. The soldiers are paid to say the body was stolen. On a Galilee mountain some still doubt, yet all are sent to every nation.

Chapter 28.

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Suddenly a great earthquake struck, for an angel of our Father came down from heaven, rolled back the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here—he's risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. Go quickly, tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead. Look, he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there. Listen, I have told you."

So they left the tomb quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Suddenly Jesus met them, saying, "Greetings!" They came to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them, "Don't be afraid. Go, tell my brothers to leave for Galilee—they will see me there."

The Guards' Cover Story

While on the way, some guards entered the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. After meeting with the elders and forming a plan, they paid the soldiers a large sum, telling them, "Say: His disciples came at night and stole him while we slept. If this reaches the governor, we'll persuade him and keep you free of trouble." They took the money and did as they were told; this report spread among the Jews to this day.

The Father's Commission to All Nations

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ^a teaching them to obey all I've commanded you. Remember, I'm with you always, to the end of the age."