Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Good News for Gentiles

³⁴ Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,^{(A) 35} but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.^{(B) 37} You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him.^{(C) 39} We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree.^{(D) 40} God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, ⁴¹ not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.^{(E) 42} He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.^{(F) 43} All the prophets testify^(G) about him that through his name^(H) everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”^(I)

God’s Relationship with His People

31 “At that time”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“I will be the God of all the families of Israel,^(A) and they will be my people.”

² This is what the Lord says:

Psalm 118

Thanksgiving for Victory

The Life of the New Man

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(A) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(B) 3} For you died,^(C) and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears,^(D) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(E)

Good News for Gentiles

³⁴ Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn’t show favoritism,^{(A) 35} but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.^{(B) 37} You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him.^{(C) 39} We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree.^{(D) 40} God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, ⁴¹ not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.^{(E) 42} He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead.^{(F) 43} All the prophets testify^(G) about him that through his name^(H) everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.”^(I)

The Empty Tomb

20 On^(A) the first day of the week^(B) Mary Magdalene^(C) came to the tomb^(D) early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone^(E) had been removed from the tomb. ² So she went running to Simon Peter^(F) and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb,^(G) and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths^(H) lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The wrapping^(I) that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths^(J) but was folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸ The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. ⁹ For they did not yet understand the Scripture^(K) that he must rise^(L) from the dead.^{(M) 10} Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

¹¹ But^(N) Mary stood outside the tomb,^(O) crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels^(P) in white sitting where Jesus’s body^(Q) had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,”^(R) she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

¹⁴ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus.^{(S) 15} “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”

Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic,^[a] “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”^(T)

¹⁷ “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended^(U) to the Father.^(V) But go to my brothers^(W) and tell them that I am ascending to my Father^(X) and your Father, to my God^(Y) and your God.”

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” ^(Z) And she told them what^[b] he had said to her.

Resurrection Morning

28 After the Sabbath,^(A) as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. ² There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it.^{(B) 3} His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.^{(C) 4} The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.

⁵ The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.^{(D) 6} He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.^{(E) 7} Then go quickly and tell his disciples,^(F) ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”^(G)

⁸ So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. ⁹ Just then^[a] Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.^{(H) 10} Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”^(I)