Matthew

¹ After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary had gone to look at the grave,

² when suddenly a great earthquake occurred. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and seated himself on it.

³ His appearance was as dazzling as lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow;

⁴ and, in their terror of him, the men on guard trembled violently and became like dead men.

⁵ But the angel, addressing the women, said, “You need not be afraid. I know that it is Jesus, who was crucified, for whom you are looking.

⁶ He is not here; for he has risen, as he said he would. Come, and see the place where he was lying;

⁷ and then go quickly and say to his disciples ‘He has risen from the dead, and is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him.’ Remember, I have told you.”

⁸ They left the tomb quickly, in awe and great joy, and ran to tell the news to the disciples.

⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Welcome!” he said. The women went up to him, and clasped his feet, bowing to the ground before him. Then Jesus said to them,

¹⁰ “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to set out for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

¹¹ While they were still on their way, some of the guard came into the city, and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

¹² So they and the elders met and, after holding a consultation, gave a large sum of money to the soldiers,

¹³ and told them to say that his disciples came in the night, and stole him while they were asleep;

¹⁴ “And should this matter come before the Governor,” they added, “we will satisfy him, and see that you have nothing to fear.”

¹⁵ So the soldiers took the money, and did as they were instructed. This story spread widely; the people of Judea still tell it today.

¹⁶ The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him;

¹⁷ and, when they saw him, they bowed to the ground before him; although some felt doubtful.

¹⁸ Then Jesus came up, and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on the earth has been given to me.

¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

²⁰ and teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you; and, remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age.”