Resurrection Morning

1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6“He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8And they remembered his words.

9Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

The Emmaus Disciples

13Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

18The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”

19“What things?” he asked them.

So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”

25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

28They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Reality of the Risen Jesus

36As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38“Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate in their presence.

44He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

50Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. 52After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53And they were continually in the temple praising God.