Chapter 50
The Resurrection of Jesus
Verse 1: After the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him. | Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1
2 They had been discussing with one another, “Who can push and roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” | Mark 16:3
3 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large. | Mark 16:4
4 They saw guards struck with terror and that had became like dead men. | Matthew 28:4
5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man wearing a dazzling white robe and they were greatly alarmed and fearful. | Mark 16:5
6 And he said to them, “Do not be afraid; you looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen! Look, there is the place where they laid him. | Mark 16:6
7 But go, tell his disciples and even Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.” | Mark 16:7
8 So all went out and fled from the tomb except Mary, for terror and astonishment had overcome them, and they said nothing to anyone, as they were very afraid. | Mark 16:8
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
9 Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she turned and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was him. | John 20:11, John 20:14
10 “Woman, why are you weeping?”, Jesus asked, “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking this man to be the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” as she turned again to the tomb. | John 20:15
11 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned to him and said in Aramaic, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher) and leapt into his arms and started to weep. | John 20:16
12 Jesus having compassion for her said, “I know it is difficult but you must let go. I must leave to ascend to the Father. But listen closely, for the time is short. | John 20:17
13 Hear what I now entrust to you, for this is the appointed time.
14 There is no such thing as sin in itself. Rather, it is you yourselves who produce sin when you act against the nature of my Father within you; this is what is called sin. For this reason the my Father's word came among you: to pursue what belongs to every nature and to set it within its own root.
15 Understand this: it is because you love what deceives you that you grow sick and die.
16 Matter gave birth to a passion that has no true image, for it derives from what is contrary to nature. From this a great confusion spread through the whole body. This is the source of the sickness and the grief you see around you.
17 Therefore I say to you: become content at heart, and yet remain discontent with all that pulls you from your root. Be agreeable and at peace only in the presence of that true image of your nature.”
18 Mary lifted her face to him and said, “Then how shall I teach this? The others will not easily receive it.”
19 He said to her, “Teach them as I have taught you, not with arguments, but with peace in your own heart. That peace is the proof. Do not lay down any rule beyond what I have given you, nor make a law as the lawgivers have done, lest you bind others as you yourselves have been bound.”
20 Now go to my followers and tell them, ‘I am ascending up to our Father’ | John 20:17
21 And Mary, with a full heart, went and announced to all the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she say to them what he had spoken to her. | John 20:18
The Report of the Guard
22 While Mary was leaving, some of the guards also went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. | Matthew 28:11
23 After the chief priests had gathered with the elders, they came up with a plan so that they would give the soldiers a large sum of money, | Matthew 28:12
24 and instructed them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away as we were all sleeping.’ | Matthew 28:13
25 If this report reaches the governor, we will persuade him and keep you out of trouble.” | Matthew 28:14
26 So the guards took the money and agreed to do as they were told. And this story is still told among the people to this day. | Matthew 28:15
Jesus Appears to Thomas
27 Now Thomas, called the Twin, had not been with the disciples when they had gathered and locked the doors for fear of the temple authorities.
28 As he walked along the road with his heart greatly troubled, he had heard rumours of the risen Jesus but he continued to question. He saw a figure in white standing in the way before him.
29 When he passed-by the figure he heard a voice, “Thomas”. And Thomas stopped, turned and his mouth was wholly incapable of saying who he saw.
30 But the figure said to him, “Come. It is I.”, Jesus knowing his heart said, “See my hands.”
31 Then Thomas drew near and placed his fingers into the wounds, and when he had done so, he fell to his knees and cried out, “My Lord and my God!”
32 Jesus said to him, “Finally you understand, Thomas. I am in you and you are in me. We are the elect of the living Father.”
The Ascension of Jesus
33 Meanwhile, ten disciples and a crowd of over 500 went to Galilee, to the mountain to where Jesus had directed them. | Matthew 28:16
34 When they saw him, some worshiped him, but many others doubted. | Matthew 28:17
35 And Jesus came and said to them, “Go therefore and tell everyone that you have seen the Father | Matthew 28:19
36 and teach them to obey what I have commanded you. And remember, until the very end, I am with you always.” | Matthew 28:20
37 After saying this, he left the world and went to the Father, for no one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven. | John 3:13
Ten Disciples receive the holy spirit
38 Then the ten disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy. | Luke 24:52
39 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. | Luke 24:53
40 As they praised, the flame of the great menorah rose up and was not as other flames, and they fell upon their faces in fear.
41 But from within the flame came a voice, saying, “Do not be afraid. It is I, Jesus. Go and make disciples of all nations in my name.” | Matthew 28:19
42 And they were no longer afraid. They rose, stood before it, and the flame divided. Tongues of fire rested upon each of them, and they were filled with the holy spirit, understanding all that was given to them.