Jesus Is Risen!

1Now after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other [a]Mary went to look at the tomb. 2And a great earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone [from the opening of the tomb], and sat on it. 3The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. 4The guards shook, paralyzed with fear [at the sight] of him and became like dead men [pale and immobile]. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said [He would]. Come! See the place where He was lying. 7Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee [as He promised]. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

8So the women left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell [the good news to] the disciples. 9And as they went, suddenly, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” And they went to Him and took hold of His feet [in homage] and worshiped Him [as the Messiah]. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me [just as I promised].”

11While they were on their way, some of the [Roman] guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12And when the chief priests had gathered with the elders and had consulted together [to develop a plan of deception], they gave a sufficient sum of money [as a bribe] to the soldiers, 13and said, “You say this, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ 14And if the governor (Pilate) hears about it, we will calm him down and keep you out of trouble.” 15So they took the money [they were paid for lying] and did as they were instructed; and this [fabricated] story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to the present day.

The Great Commission

16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted [that it was really He]. 18Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually--regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”