Resurrection Morning

24 On^(A) the first day of the week,^(B) very early in the morning, they^[a] came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. ³ They went in but did not find the body^(C) of the Lord Jesus.^{(D) 4} While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling^(E) clothes. ⁵ So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

‘Why are you looking for the living among the dead? ’ asked the men. ⁶ ‘He is not here, but he has risen!^(F) Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee,^{(G) 7} saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed^(H) into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise^(I) on the third day”? ’ ⁸ And they remembered his words.

⁹ Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven^(J) and to all the rest. ¹⁰ Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James,^(K) and the other women with them were telling the apostles^(L) these things. ¹¹ But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe^(M) the women. ¹² Peter,^(N) however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.^[b](O) So he went away, amazed^(P) at what had happened.

The Emmaus Disciples

¹³ Now^(Q) that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about eleven kilometres^[c](R) from Jerusalem.^{(S) 14} Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. ¹⁵ And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. ¹⁶ But they^[d] were prevented from recognising him.^{(T) 17} Then he asked them, ‘What is this dispute that you’re having^[e] with each other as you are walking? ’ And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

¹⁸ The one named Cleopas answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days? ’^(U)

¹⁹ ‘What things? ’ he asked them.

So they said to him, ‘The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth,^(V) who was a prophet^(W) powerful in action and speech^(X) before God and all the people,^{(Y) 20} and how our chief priests and leaders^(Z) handed him over to be sentenced to death,^(AA) and they crucified him.^{(AB) 21} But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem^(AC) Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day^(AD) since these things happened. ²² Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, ²³ and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.’^(AE)

²⁵ He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow^[f] to believe all that the prophets have spoken!^{(AF) 26} Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer^(AG) these things and enter into his glory? ’^{(AH) 27} Then beginning with Moses^(AI) and all the Prophets,^(AJ) he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.^(AK)

²⁸ They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going further.^{(AL) 29} But they urged him, ‘Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke^(AM) it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened,^(AN) and they recognised him, but he disappeared from their sight.^{(AO) 32} They said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures^(AP) to us? ’ ³³ That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven^(AQ) and those with them gathered together, ³⁴ who said, ‘The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon! ’^{(AR) 35} Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.^(AS)

The Reality of the Risen Jesus

³⁶ As^(AT) they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, ‘Peace^(AU) to you! ’ ³⁷ But they were startled and terrified^(AV) and thought they were seeing a ghost.^{(AW) 38} ‘Why are you troubled? ’^(AX) he asked them. ‘And why do doubts arise in your hearts? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself!^(AY) Touch me and see,^(AZ) because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ ⁴⁰ Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat? ’ ⁴² So they gave him a piece of a grilled fish,^{[g] 43} and he took it and ate in their presence.

⁴⁴ He told them, ‘These are my words^(BA) that I spoke to you while I was still with you – that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,^(BB) and the Psalms^(BC) must be fulfilled.’ ⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds^(BD) to understand^(BE) the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He also said to them, ‘This is what is written:^[h] The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day,^{(BF) 47} and repentance for^[i] forgiveness of sins^(BG) will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,^(BH) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(BI) 48} You are witnesses^(BJ) of these things. ⁴⁹ And look, I am sending you^[j] what my Father promised.^(BK) As for you, stay in the city^[k] until you are empowered^[l](BL) from on high.’

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,^(BM) and lifting up his hands^(BN) he blessed them. ⁵¹ And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.^{(BO) 52} After worshipping him,^(BP) they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.^{(BQ) 53} And they were continually in the temple praising God.^[m](BR)