Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb

After His death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body. Nicodemus brought linen and spices, and together they wrapped Him and laid Him in a new tomb hewn out of rock.

After Jesus was buried, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pontius Pilate and asked that the tomb be secured. Remembering that Jesus Christ had said He would rise again after three days, they feared the disciples might steal the body and claim a resurrection. Pilate granted them a guard, and they sealed the stone and set soldiers to watch the tomb (Matthew 27:62–66). The tomb was sealed and guarded over the Sabbath.

The Empty Tomb and Angelic Announcement

Early on the first day of the week (Sunday), Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a great earthquake came, and an angel rolled back the stone from the entrance. The angel sat on it and spoke to the women, “Do not be afraid. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.” The angel told them to go quickly and announce to the disciples, “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him” (Matthew 28:6–7).

As they hurried away with joy and trembling, Jesus Himself met the women on the way and greeted them, “Greetings!” They fell to His feet and clasped His feet, worshiping Him. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; go tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me”. Obeying this message, the women ran to carry the news to the disciples.

Mary Magdalene and the Disciples

Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene remained near the tomb. She saw that the stone had been removed and the tomb was empty. Alarmed, she ran and found Simon Peter and the beloved disciple, saying, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him”. Peter and John sprang up and ran to the tomb. John arrived first, bent in and saw the linen cloths lying there. Peter then entered and also saw the burial linens. Finally the beloved disciple went in, and he saw and believed. (They still did not understand Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead.) Then the two went back to their homes, reporting nothing but amazement and bewilderment at what they had witnessed.

That morning the women returned to tell the Eleven and the rest of Jesus’ followers what had happened. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women recounted all these things to the apostles. But at first their words seemed to the men like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

The Road to Emmaus

Still on that first Easter Sunday, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus (about seven miles away). As they discussed the events of the day, Jesus Himself drew near and began to walk with them, though their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. Jesus explained from all the Scriptures how the Messiah had to suffer and then enter into His glory. When they came near Emmaus, the disciples urged Him to stay with them as evening fell. At the table, Jesus took bread, blessed, broke and gave it to them. In that moment their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. Then He vanished from their sight.

Filled with joy, the two disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem that same hour. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, declaring “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34). The two shared how Jesus had made Himself known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Jerusalem

On that same Sunday evening, Jesus suddenly stood among the disciples in a locked room and said to them, “Peace be with you.” The disciples were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus showed them His hands and His side and said, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have”. Their joy was great when they realized He was truly the Lord. To further assure them, Jesus asked for something to eat, and they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took it and ate it in their presence.

Then Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit; if you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven”. In this way He commissioned them for the work ahead. Overjoyed and amazed, the disciples went forth with renewed faith, worshiping Him and marveling at all that He had told them.

Appearance to Thomas

Eight days later (still meeting in that locked upper room), Jesus again came and stood among them. This time Thomas was present with the others. Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” and then addressed Thomas in particular: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”.

Thus Jesus affirmed that faith beyond sight is blessed and prepared the disciples to testify to Him.

Appearance by the Sea of Galilee

After this, some of the disciples returned to Galilee as Jesus had directed. Later, Jesus appeared again to His followers by the Sea of Galilee. Early in the morning, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two others were out fishing but caught nothing. Jesus stood on the shore, calling to them. They recognized Him and Peter jumped into the water, swimming ashore to meet Him. At Jesus’ invitation, they brought some of the fish they had caught to Him. Then Jesus said, “Come and eat breakfast.” He took bread and gave it to them, and similarly the fish. In this simple meal by the sea the risen Lord again revealed Himself and cared for His disciples.

After breakfast, Jesus spoke privately with Simon Peter, asking him three times if he loved Him and instructing him to “feed my sheep,” thereby reinstating Peter and commissioning him to shepherd Christ’s followers.

The Great Commission

Later, on a mountain in Galilee, the eleven disciples gathered to meet Jesus as instructed. There He gave them the final commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”. With these words Jesus entrusted His church with the gospel mission and assured them of His continual presence by the Spirit.

Jesus’ Final Instructions and the Ascension

During the forty days after His resurrection, Jesus continued to appear to many, presenting Himself alive by many convincing proofs and speaking about the kingdom of God. His presence reassured the disciples and validated His victory over death.

Finally, Jesus led the disciples to Bethany, a village near Jerusalem. He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While blessing them, He was taken up into heaven, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. The disciples fell down and worshiped Him, full of great joy. They returned to Jerusalem continually praising God in the temple, waiting for the promised Holy Spirit.

This harmonized account draws on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and the book of Acts, weaving together each resurrection and ascension appearance into one chronological narrative. 

Happy Easter Everyone!