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.^[b]

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. ⁶ “He is not here, but He has been resurrected!^(F) Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,^{(G) 7} saying, ‘The Son of Man must 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.^[c](O) So he went home, 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^[d] Emmaus, which was about seven miles^[e](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^[f] were prevented from recognizing Him.^{(T) 17} Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having^[g] 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 the Nazarene,^(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 unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken!^{(AF) 26} Didn’t the Messiah have 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 farther.^{(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 recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight.^{(AO) 32} So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze 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,^[h] “The Lord has certainly 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 And^(AT) as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. 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 unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish,^{[i] 43} and He took it and ate in their presence.

⁴⁴ Then 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:^[j] The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,^{(BF) 47} and repentance for^[k] forgiveness of sins^(BG) would 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^[l] what My Father promised.^(BK) As for you, stay in the city^[m] until you are empowered^[n](BL) from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ Then He led them out as far as 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 worshiping Him,^(BP) they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.^{(BQ) 53} And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.^[o](BR)