Matthew 28  Holman Christian Standard Bible

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 Suddenly 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 robe was as white as snow.^{(C) 4} The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.

⁵ But 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 been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.^{(E) 7} Then go quickly and tell His disciples,^(F) ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, 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, “Good morning!” 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)

The Soldiers Are Bribed to Lie

¹¹ As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. ¹² After the priests^[b] had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money ¹³ and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole Him while we were sleeping.’ ¹⁴ If this reaches the governor’s ears,^[c] we will deal with^[d] him and keep you out of trouble.”^{(J) 15} So they took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.^(K)

The Great Commission

¹⁶ The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.^{(L) 17} When they saw Him, they worshiped,^[e] but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.^{(M) 19} Go, therefore, and make disciples^(N) of^[f] all nations,^(O) baptizing^(P) them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember,^[g] I am with you always,^[h] to the end of the age.”^(Q)