Matthew 28:1-10
The Empty Tomb
Read the passage
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.
5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.
7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”
8So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.
10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary come to see the tomb. A great earthquake accompanies the descent of an angel, who rolls back the stone and sits on it. The angel's appearance terrifies the guards, but he tells the women not to be afraid because Jesus, who was crucified, has risen as he said.
The angel invites the women to see the place where Jesus lay and sends them to tell the disciples that Jesus is going before them to Galilee. They leave with fear and great joy, carrying news that must be spoken rather than kept as a private comfort.
Jesus meets them on the way and says, “Greetings!” They take hold of his feet and worship him. Jesus tells them not to be afraid and sends them to tell His brothers to go to Galilee, where they will see Him. His risen body is not an idea detached from history; the women encounter the living Jesus and respond with worship.
Matthew holds fear and joy together because the resurrection is both overwhelming and good news. The women are not asked to deny what they have seen at the cross or to pretend that the guards and sealed tomb do not matter. They are sent to tell the disciples that death did not keep Jesus.
The resurrection changes obedience because it rests on God's completed act, not on the household's ability to create hope. Receive the witnesses' message, worship the risen Christ, and let his victory make your faith truthful, courageous, and ready to speak.
How We Know
The message about Galilee fulfills the promise Jesus made before His arrest. Paul’s account also proclaims that Christ died, was buried, rose on the third day and appeared to named witnesses and groups. It complements Matthew’s account of the women without requiring every appearance to be the same event.
Questions
1 What do the women find when they reach Jesus' tomb?
AnswerAn angel rolls away the stone and announces that the crucified Jesus has risen, just as He said. The women are invited to see where He lay and then meet Him themselves.
2 Why are the women sent to tell the disciples?
AnswerThe women are sent because the angel gives them a message for Jesus' disciples: he has risen and is going before them to Galilee. Their fear and joy become the setting in which the resurrection news is carried to the grieving community.
3 How do fear and great joy belong together at the empty tomb?
AnswerFear comes from the earthquake, the angel, and the astonishing news; joy comes from Jesus' resurrection and his promise to meet the disciples. The two responses belong together because the women are encountering God's power and good news at once.
4 What truthful response to the resurrection can our household practice?
AnswerOur household can name one fear that needs to be brought into the light of Jesus' resurrection. Then we can tell the truth about his victory and take one obedient step without pretending that fear has never been present.
What This Means for Us
The women grasp Jesus’ feet. Their joy answers a living Person, not a wish that death might somehow matter less. The One they saw crucified is alive, and He receives their worship. Christian hope begins with what God has done, even when our own feelings are still a mixture of fear and joy.
Jesus calls the disciples His brothers. They had deserted Him, yet He sends them a message that keeps His earlier promise to meet them in Galilee. His resurrection brings them more than astonishing news; it brings a summons back into His company.
Paul explains that without Christ’s resurrection our faith would be futile and our sins would remain. Because He has risen, we can trust His saving work and hope for the resurrection of His people. Give thanks for that promise when grief or guilt makes the future feel closed, and speak of the living Savior to someone who needs to hear it.
Prayer
Risen Lord Jesus, we worship You. Thank You for conquering death and calling Your failing disciples back to You. Meet our fear with Your promise, and help us carry the news of Your resurrection with joy. Amen.