Jesus Is Alive: The Empty Tomb

Very early on the first day of the week, after the Sabbath, women went to Jesus’ tomb. Matthew names Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Mark adds Salome. Luke also names Joanna and says other women were there too. Mark and Luke say they brought spices. John focuses on Mary Magdalene, who came while it was still dark.

They found the stone already moved. Matthew says there had been a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord came down, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. The guards shook with fear. Mark says the women had wondered who would move the very large stone, but when they arrived it had already been rolled back.

At the tomb, heavenly messengers announced that Jesus had risen. Matthew speaks of one angel. Mark tells of a young man in a white robe. Luke tells of two men in dazzling clothes. Matthew and Mark say the women were invited to see the place where Jesus had been laid. The women were told to tell the disciples.

The women were shaken, yet they responded. Matthew says they left with fear and great joy and ran to tell the disciples. Mark says they fled trembling and, in their fear, said nothing to anyone. Luke says they told the eleven and the others, but the apostles did not believe them.

John tells how Mary Magdalene ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, saying that the Lord had been taken from the tomb. They ran there and found the linen cloths. Peter went in, and then the other disciple entered and believed. Luke adds that Peter went away wondering about what had happened.

Then Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. She saw two angels, then turned and saw Jesus, though at first she did not recognise him. When he said her name, she knew him. Jesus told her to go to his brothers. Matthew also says Jesus met the women on the way, and they worshipped him. Mary told the disciples she had seen the Lord, but Mark says they did not believe her.