When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre. The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch. 28 After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards shook with fear of Him and became as dead men. The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you. The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me. Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This report is common among the Jews until this day. The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. --------- The Gospel of Mark