Matthew 28:2–4

PER364 The women go to the Tomb

Pericope 364 describes the women's departure for the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning, as attested by all four Gospels. Moved by their faithfulness and devotion to Jesus, they bring spices without expecting a resurrection. The study highlights their steadfastness in contrast to the failure of the apostles, their failure to understand the announcements of the resurrection, and their ignorance of the guards placed at the tomb. A rigorous synoptic analysis within the framework of the Passion and the Resurrection.

Luke 18.31-34 (King James Version) :

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER365 The Stone Is Rolled Away, the Earthquake

On Easter morning, faithful women go to Jesus’ tomb to complete the burial care. They discover the stone rolled away and the empty tomb. The article analyzes their faithfulness in contrast with the flight of the apostles, their devotion to Jesus, and the general incomprehension in the face of the announcements of the resurrection. A synoptic approach compares Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on this foundational event.

Luke 18.31-34 (King James Version) :

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER366 The Angels’ Message

The pericope PER366 analyzes the message of the angels to the women at the tomb on the Sunday morning of the resurrection. Comparing Matthew, Mark and Luke, it examines the differences in the number of angels, the vocabulary used, and the place of the women as the first witnesses. These variations reflect the evangelists’ editorial freedom and are indicators of the historical authenticity of the resurrection account.

Luke 24.4-8 (King James Version) :

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.And they remembered his words,

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER367 The Women Warn the Disciples

Pericope 367 examines the moment when the women warn the disciples of the resurrection, comparing Matthew 28.8, Mark 16.9-11, Luke 24.9-11 and John 20.2. A notable divergence appears: Mary Magdalene seems unaware of the angels’ message, unlike the other women. The hypothesis that Mary left early, before the angelic appearance, makes it possible to harmonize the accounts and to explain her persistent incomprehension before the empty tomb.

Luke 24.9-11 (King James Version) :

And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER368 The Reaction of Peter and John

Pericope 368 examines the reaction of Peter and John after Mary Magdalene's testimony about the empty tomb. The two apostles run to the sepulchre, discover the burial linens and the folded face cloth, but do not yet grasp the reality of the resurrection. The article harmonizes the accounts of Luke 24.12 and John 20.3-12, distinguishes two successive announcements to the disciples, and highlights the initial lack of understanding in the face of Jesus' prophecies about his resurrection.

Mark 8.31 (King James Version) :

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER369 Mary Magdalene Remains at the Tomb

An episode unique to John (John 20.11), this passage describes Mary Magdalene remaining alone at the tomb after Peter and John have left. A faithful witness since the ministry of Jesus, she first interprets the disappearance of the body as a removal, before becoming the first person to whom the Risen One appears personally. The article offers a chronological analysis and a harmonization of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection.

Matthew 28.2-4 (King James Version) :

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER370 First Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Mary Magdalene

Pericope PER370 analyzes the first appearance of the risen Christ to Mary Magdalene, on the morning of Sunday, April 3, AD 33, near the tomb in Jerusalem. Reported mainly by John (Jn 20,11-18) and confirmed by Mark (Mk 16,9), this encounter reveals Mary’s initial ignorance of the resurrection, her mistaking Jesus for a gardener, and the distinctive nature of the Easter appearances. The article adopts a rigorous synoptic method by comparing the Gospels.

John 20.2-10 (King James Version) :

Then she runneth, 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 sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER371 Second appearance of the Messiah Jesus to the other women

Pericope PER371 analyzes the second appearance of the risen Jesus to the women (Mt 28.9-10), on Sunday morning near the tomb in Jerusalem. The article harmonizes the apparent tension between Mark (the women's silence and fear) and Matthew (the meeting with Jesus), showing that these accounts are complementary: Mark describes the immediate reaction of astonishment, and Matthew adds the joy. Only Matthew reports this particular appearance.

Matthew 27.62-66 (King James Version) :

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER372 The Appearance of the Messiah Jesus to Peter

The appearance of the risen Jesus to Simon Peter is attested by Luke 24.34 and 1 Corinthians 15.3-5, but no evangelist describes its content. Set on Sunday, April 3, AD 33, after the appearances to the women and before that to the Emmaus disciples, this private encounter appears to be a personal reconciliation between Jesus and Peter after his denial. Peter would thus have been the first apostle to see the risen Lord.

Luke 24.33-35 (King James Version) :

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

PER373 The guards warn the Jewish authorities

Matthew 28.11-15 reports that the tomb guards, unwitting witnesses of the resurrection, went to the Jewish authorities. The latter bribed them to spread the claim that the disciples had stolen the body. The article analyzes the apologetic value of this testimony from outside the Christian circle and the contradictions of the official version, noting that this episode, found only in Matthew, fits within the Easter chronology of Sunday, April 3, AD 33.

Luke 24.13-35 (King James Version) :

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.And they talked together of all these things which had happened.And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Level: Intermediate Level: Intermediate

Matthew 28.2-4

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