Part 9 (1/2)

THE EARTHQUAKE.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.

THE EMPTY TOMB.

Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, ”They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him.”

Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in.

Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb: and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was upon his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, who came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

THE APPEARANCE TO MARY.

But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, ”Woman, why weepest thou?”

She saith unto them, ”Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.”

When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, ”Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”

She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, ”Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”

Jesus saith unto her, ”Mary.”

She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, ”Rabboni”; which is to say, ”Teacher.”

Jesus saith to her, ”Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father; but go unto my brethren, and say to them, 'I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and my G.o.d and your G.o.d.'”

Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, ”I have seen the Lord”; and that he had said these things unto her.

THE APPEARANCE TO THE WOMEN.

And the women which had come with him out of Galilee came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they were saying among themselves, ”Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?”

and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great. And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he saith unto them, ”Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified; he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him! But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.'”

And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word.

And behold, Jesus met them, saying, ”All hail.” And they came and took hold of his feet, and wors.h.i.+pped him.

Then saith Jesus unto them, ”Fear not: go tell my brethren that they depart into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”

REPORT OF THE WATCH.

Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city, and told unto the chief priests all the things that were come to pa.s.s.