Matthew 28
The empty tomb
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
At dawn after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to see the tomb. There is a great earthquake; an angel comes down, rolls back the stone and sits on it, and the guards freeze with fear. The angel tells the women that Jesus has risen, as he said, shows them where he lay, and sends them to tell the disciples that he is going ahead of them to Galilee. They run off with fear and great joy.
What does this mean?
'The first day of the week' is Sunday. 'He is risen' is passive in Greek ('he has been raised'), implying God's action.
Historical context
In this culture women's testimony was often given less weight, particularly in legal settings; many scholars argue this makes it unlikely that early Christians invented women as the first witnesses.
Why does it matter?
The earthquake recalls the one at Jesus' death (27:51). The guards posted to prevent a deception become 'as dead men', while the dead man is risen.
Editorial notes, not scripture.
Told in all four Gospels
Mark 16:1–8
The empty tomb
How Mark tells it
Mark names three women, including Salome, and alone tells of them buying spices and wondering who will move the stone. Mark's messenger is a young man in white sitting inside the tomb, and only Mark has 'his disciples and Peter'. Mark ends with the women fleeing and telling no one, where the other accounts have the disciples told.
Continue reading in Mark →Luke 24:1–12
The empty tomb
How Luke tells it
Luke has "two men" in shining clothes (Mark: a young man; Matthew: an angel; John: two angels). They recall what Jesus said "in Galilee" rather than sending the disciples to Galilee, keeping Luke's story around Jerusalem. Only Luke names Joanna and has the apostles dismiss the women's report. Peter runs alone (John: Peter and the beloved disciple).
Continue reading in Luke →John 20:1–10
The empty tomb
How John tells it
In John, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb alone, though she says "we", and runs to fetch Peter and the beloved disciple; no angel speaks to her at this stage. Luke briefly mentions Peter running to the tomb, but only John describes two disciples racing there, the arrangement of the grave cloths, and the other disciple seeing and believing.
Continue reading in John →How Matthew tells it
Only Matthew describes an earthquake, an angel descending to roll away the stone and sit on it, and terrified guards. The women leave with 'fear and great joy', whereas Mark's account ends with them saying nothing because they were afraid. Luke has two men in dazzling clothes; John has Mary Magdalene, then Peter and another disciple.