The Resurrection of Jesus

(Jesus Appears to the Women)

After the Sabbath, as the day was dawning, on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a violent earth- quake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, went to the tomb and rolled away the stone from the entrance of the tomb and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his garment white as snow. ‘The guards were so terrified at his sight that they shook with fear and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for l know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. “He is not here, for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place where they laid him. Now go at once and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. This is my message for you.” . They left the tomb at once with fear and great joy, and they ran to tell the news to the disciples. Suddenly, Jesus met them on the way and said, “Peace.” The women approached him, embraced his feet and worshipped him. '°But Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” While the women were on their way, the guards returned to the city and some of them reported to the chief priests all that had happened. The chief priests met with the Jewish authorities and decided to give the soldiers a good sum of money. with this instruction, “Say that while you were asleep, his disciples came by night and stole the body of Jesus. “lf Pilate comes to know of this, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” The soldiers accepted the money and did as they were told. This story has circulated among the Jews until this day.