Matthew 28

₁After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

₂There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ₃His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ₄The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

₅The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ₆He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ₇Then go quickly and tell his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.’

₈So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ₉Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. ₁₀Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’

₁₁While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ₁₂When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, ₁₃telling them, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” ₁₄If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ ₁₅So 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.

₁₆Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ₁₇When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. ₁₈Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ₁₉Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ₂₀and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’