62 Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after (A)the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and they said, “Sir, we remember that when that deceiver was still alive, He said, ‘(B)After three days I am rising.’ 64 Therefore, give orders for the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a (C)guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the tomb secure with (D)the guard, (E)sealing (F)the stone.

Jesus Is Risen!

28 (G)Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, (H)Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the tomb. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for (I)an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away (J)the stone, and sat upon it. And (K)his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook from fear of him and became like dead men. And the angel said to the women, “[a](L)Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, (M)just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you (N)to Galilee. There you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”

And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to report to His disciples. And behold, Jesus met them [b]and said, [c]Rejoice!” And they came up and took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus *said to them, [d](O)Do not be afraid; go, bring word to (P)My brothers to leave (Q)for Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

11 Now while they were on their way, some of (R)the men from the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to (S)the governor’s ears, we will appease him and [e]keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely (T)spread among the Jews and is (U)to this day.

The Great Commission

16 But the eleven disciples proceeded (V)to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but (W)some [f]were doubtful.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 28:5 Or Stop being afraid
  2. Matthew 28:9 Lit saying
  3. Matthew 28:9 Or Greetings
  4. Matthew 28:10 Or Stop being afraid
  5. Matthew 28:14 Lit make you free from care
  6. Matthew 28:17 Or hesitated

The Guard at the Tomb

62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’(A) 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body(B) and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65 “Take a guard,”(C) Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal(D) on the stone(E) and posting the guard.(F)

Jesus Has Risen(G)

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene(H) and the other Mary(I) went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake,(J) for an angel(K) of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone(L) and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.(M) The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid,(N) for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.(O) Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.(P) There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them.(Q) “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers(R) to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards(S) went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away(T) while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor,(U) we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.(V) 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.