Primary Texts: Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18
Memory Verse: But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7
Introduction:
There is controversy over the differences in the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. It is vital to understand that the events recorded from different perspectives don’t actually contradict each other. (Please review the introduction to this study booklet, found on pages 4 and 5. The four accounts of the events related to the resurrection aren’t presented in strictly chronological order and neither are the details given identical in each one.)
There were four stages that the believing followers of Jesus experienced with regard to His resurrection: (1) thinking He was dead and gone; the women came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices; (2) hearing the angels’ proclamation that Jesus was alive and seeing the empty graveclothes, they went to tell the news to His disciples; (3) witnessing Jesus alive from the dead: after meeting Mary Magdalene in the garden, Jesus also appeared that day to other faithful women, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and to 10 disciples (all but Thomas) in Jerusalem (and more appearances ensuing, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6); and (4) sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection with others, which began by the gathering of more than 500 of Jesus’ followers to whom He appeared before His ascension, and then by way of their testimony and preaching to the rest of the world.
Jesus’ resurrection is vital because it: proves that Jesus is the Son of God (John 10:17-18); verifies the truth of Scripture (Psalm 16:10; 110:1); assures our own future resurrection (Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); proves a future judgment (Acts 17:31); became the basis for Christ’s divine priesthood (Hebrews 7:23-28); provides power for Christian living (1 Peter 1:3; Galatians 2:20); and assures our future inheritance (1 Corinthians 3:14; Colossians 3:24; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelations 11:18; Revelations 22:12). Paul wrote aptly: “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Corinthians 15:16-17). But, Hallelujah, Christ is risen!
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- According to the harmonization of all four gospel accounts, when did the women arrive at the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body? Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-3; Luke 24:1-3; John 20:1
- What things transpired when Jesus raised from the tomb? Matthew 28:2-7; Mark 16:4-6; Luke 24:4-7
- By what power was Jesus raised from the dead? Psalm 16:10; Matthew 17:23; Acts 2:23-24; 3:14-15; 10:39-41; Romans 6:4
- How did Mary Magdalene respond when she saw the large stone rolled away? John 20:2
- What did the other women do who went to the tomb? Mark 16:4-5; Luke 24:2-4
- What did these women see, and what announcement did they receive? Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6-7; Luke 24:5-7
- Describe what Peter and John did in response to Mary Magdalene’s testimony? John 20:3-10; Luke 24:12
- Explain the events that took place with Mary Magdalene after Peter and John left the tomb? John 20:11-17; Mark 16:9
- What did Mary do after her encounter with Jesus? John 20:18; Mark 16:10-11
- What happened when the other women were returning to inform the disciples of their experience with the two angels? Matthew 28:8-10; Mark 16:8; Luke 24:8-11
- What response did the soldier guards have to the resurrection and the ensuing events? Matthew 28:11
Describe the deception that was plotted by the priests in response to this news. Matthew 28:12-15