GodsWord - Matthew - 28

28:1  After the day of worship, as the sun rose Sunday morning, Mary from Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

28:2  Suddenly, there was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and was sitting on it.

28:3  He was as bright as lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.

28:4  The guards were so deathly afraid of him that they shook.

28:5  The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid! I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

28:6  He's not here. He has been brought back to life as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying.

28:7  Then go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has been brought back to life. He's going ahead of them into Galilee. There they will see him. Take note that I have told you."

28:8  They hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.

28:9  Suddenly, Jesus met them and greeted them. They went up to him, bowed down to worship him, and took hold of his feet.

28:10  Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be afraid! Go, tell my followers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."

28:11  While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city. They told the chief priests everything that had happened.

28:12  The chief priests gathered together with the leaders and agreed on a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money

28:13  and told them to say that Jesus' disciples had come at night and had stolen his body while they were sleeping.

28:14  They added, "If the governor hears about it, we'll take care of it, and you'll have nothing to worry about."

28:15  The soldiers took the money and did as they were told. Their story has been spread among the Jewish people to this day.

28:16  The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go.

28:17  When they saw him, they bowed down in worship, though some had doubts.

28:18  When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

28:19  So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

28:20  Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. "And remember that I am always with you until the end of time."