The Lord has risen
1On the Sabbath the women rested according to the commandment, but the first day of the week, at dawn, they went to the tomb with the perfumes and ointments they had prepared. 2Seeing the stone rolled away from the opening of the tomb, 3they entered and were puzzled to find that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.
4Two men in dazzling garments appeared beside them. 5In fright the women bowed to the ground. But the men said, “Why look for the living among the dead? 6(You won’t find him here. He is risen.) 7Remember what he told you in Galilee, that the Son of Man had to be given into the hands of sinners, be crucified, and rise on the third day.” 8And they recalled Jesus’ words.
9Returning from the tomb, they informed the Eleven and their companions. 10Among the women who brought the news were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. 11But however much they insisted, those who heard did not believe the seemingly nonsensical story. 12Then Peter got up and ran to the tomb. All he saw there on bending down were the linen cloths. He went home wondering.
The road to Emmaus
13That same day, two of them were going to Emmaus, a village seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and they talked about what had happened. 15While they were talking and wondering, Jesus came up and walked with them, 16but their eyes were held and they did not recognize him.
17He asked, “What is this you are talking about?” The two stood still, looking sad. 18Then one named Cleophas answered, “Why, it seems you are the only traveler in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has happened there these past few days.” 19And he asked, “What is it?” They replied, “It is about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a prophet, you know, mighty in word and deed before God and the people. 20But the chief priests and our rulers sentenced him to death. They handed him over to be crucified. 21We had hoped that he would redeem Israel. It is now the third day since all this took place. 22It is true that some women of our group have disturbed us. When they went to the tomb at dawn, 23they did not find his body; they came to tell us that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive. 24Some friends of our group went to the tomb and found everything just as the women had said, but they did not see him.”
25He said to them, “How dull you are, how slow of understanding! You fail to believe the message of the prophets. 26Is it not written that the Christ should suffer all this and then enter his glory?” 27Then starting with Moses and going through the prophets, he explained to them everything in the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they drew near the village they were heading for, Jesus made as if to go farther. 29But they prevailed upon him, “Stay with us, for night comes quickly. The day is now almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When they were at table, he took the bread, said a blessing, broke it and gave each a piece.
31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; but he vanished out of their sight. 32And they said to each other, “Were not our hearts filled with ardent yearning when he was talking to us on the road and explaining the Scriptures?”
33They immediately set out and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were greeted by these words: “Yes, it is true, the Lord is risen! He has appeared to Simon!” 35Then the two told what had happened on the road and how Jesus made himself known when he broke bread with them.
Jesus appears to the apostles
36As they went on talking about this, Jesus himself stood in their midst. (And he said to them, “Peace to you.”) 37In their panic and fright they thought they were seeing a ghost, 38but he said to them, “Why are you upset and why do such ideas cross your mind? 39Look at my hands and feet and see that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves that a ghost has no flesh and bones as I have.” 40(As he said this, he showed his hands and feet.) 41In their joy they didn’t dare believe and were still astonished. So he said to them, “Have you any thing to eat?” 42and they gave him a piece of broiled fish. 43He took it and ate it before them.
Last instructions
44Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke to you when I was still with you: Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he went on, 46“You see what was written: the Messiah had to suffer and on the third day rise from the dead. 47Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48Now you shall be witnesses to this. 49And this is why I will send you what my Father promised. So remain in the city until you are invested with power from above.”
50Jesus led them almost as far as Bethany; then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51And as he blessed them, he withdrew (and was taken to heaven. They worshiped him). 52They returned to Jerusalem full of joy and 53were continually in the Temple praising God.
