[1] The Sabbath was over, and it was almost daybreak on Sunday when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord's angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. [3] The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. [4] The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead. [5] The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. [6] He isn't here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would. Come, see the place where his body was lying. [7] Now hurry! Tell his disciples that he has been raised to life and is on his way to Galilee. Go there, and you will see him. That is what I came to tell you." [8] The women were frightened and yet very happy, as they hurried from the tomb and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them and greeted them. They went near him, held on to his feet, and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said, "Don't be afraid! Tell my followers to go to Galilee. They will see me there." [11] While the women were on their way, some soldiers who had been guarding the tomb went into the city. They told the chief priests everything that had happened. [12] So the chief priests met with the leaders and decided to bribe the soldiers with a lot of money. [13] They said to the soldiers, "Tell everyone that Jesus' disciples came during the night and stole his body while you were asleep. [14] If the governor hears about this, we will talk to him. You won't have anything to worry about." [15] The soldiers took the money and did what they were told. The Jewish people still tell each other this story. [16] Jesus' eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. [17] They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted. [18] Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! [19] Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, [20] and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
