Table of Contents for the Gospels

Table of Contents. Click on one of the titles in the left column below for more in-depth notes about the event in the Life of Jesus.

Title	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
1. Luke's purpose in writing			Luke 1:1-4
2. God became a human				John 1:1-18
3. The record of Jesus' ancestors	Matthew 1:1-17		Luke 3:23-38
4. An angel promises the birth of John to Zechariah			Luke 1:5-25
5. An angel promises the birth of Jesus to Mary			Luke 1:26-38
6. Mary visits Elizabeth			Luke 1:39-56
7. John the Baptist is born			Luke 1:57-80
8. An angel appears to Joseph	Matthew 1:18-25
9. Jesus is born in Bethlehem			Luke 2:1-7
10. Shepherds visit Jesus			Luke 2:8-20
11. Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to theTemple			Luke 2:21-40
12. Visitors arrive from the eastern lands	Matthew 2:1-12
13. The escape to Egypt	Matthew 2:13-18
14. The return to Nazareth	Matthew 2:19-23
15. Jesus speaks with the religious teachers			Luke 2:41-52
16. John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus	Matthew 3:1-12	Mark 1:1-8	Luke 3:1-18
17. The baptism of Jesus	Matthew 3:13-17	Mark 1:9-11	Luke 3:21-22
18. Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness	Matthew 4:1-11	Mark 1:12-13	Luke 4:1-13
19. John the Baptist declares his mission				John 1:19-28
20. John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as the Messiah				John 1:29-34
21. The first disciples follow Jesus				John 1:35-51
22. Jesus turns water into wine				John 2:1-12
23. Jesus clears the Temple				John 2:13-25
24. Nicodemus visits Jesus at night				John 3:1-21
25. John the Baptist tells more about Jesus				John 3:22-36
26. Herod puts John in prison			Luke 3:19-20
27. Jesus talks to a woman at the well				John 4:1-26
28. Jesus tells about the spiritual harvest				John 4:27-38
29. Many Samaritans believe in Jesus				John 4:39-42
30. Jesus preaches in Galilee	Matthew 14:12-17	Mark 1:14-15	Luke 4:14-15	John 4:43-45
31. Jesus heals a government official's son				John 4:46-54
32. Jesus is rejected at Nazareth			Luke 4:16-30
33. Four fishermen follow Jesus	Matthew 4:18-22	Mark 1:16-20
34. Jesus teaches with great authority		Mark 1:21-28	Luke 4:31-37
35. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and many others	Matthew 8:14-17	Mark 1:29-34	Luke 4:38-41
36. Jesus preaches throughout Galilee	Matthew 4:23-25	Mark 1:35-39	Luke 4:42-44
37. Jesus provides a miraculous catch of fish			Luke 5:1-11
38. Jesus heals a man with leprosy	Matthew 8:1-4	Mark 1:40-45	Luke 5:12-16
39. Jesus heals a paralyzed man	Matthew 9:1-8	Mark 2:1-12	Luke 5:17-26
40. Jesus eats with sinners at Matthew's house	Matthew 9:9-13	Mark 2:13-17	Luke 5:27-32
41. Religious leaders ask Jesus about fasting	Matthew 9:14-17	Mark 2:18-22	Luke 5:33-39
42. Jesus heals a lame man by a pool				John 5:1-15
43. Jesus claims to be the Son of God				John 5:16-30
44. Jesus supports his claim				John 5:31-47
45. The disciples pick wheat on the Sabbath	Matthew 12:1-8	Mark 2:23-28	Luke 6:1-5
46. Jesus heals a man's hand on the Sabbath	Matthew 12:9-14	Mark 3:1-6	Luke 6:6-11
47. Large crowds follow Jesus	Matthew 12:15-21	Mark 3:7-12
48. Jesus chooses the twelve disciples		Mark 3:13-19	Luke 6:12-16
49. Jesus gives the Beatitudes	Matthew 5:1-12		Luke 6:17-26
50. Jesus teaches about salt and light	Matthew 5:13-16
51. Jesus teaches about the law	Matthew 5:17-20
52. Jesus teaches about anger	Matthew 5:21-26
53. Jesus teaches about lust	Matthew 5:27-30
54. Jesus teaches about divorce	Matthew 5:31-32
55. Jesus teaches about vows	Matthew 5:33-37
56. Jesus teaches about revenge	Matthew 5:38-42
57. Jesus teaches about loving enemies	Matthew 5:43-48		Luke 6:27-36
58. Jesus teaches about giving to the needy	Matthew 6:1-4
59. Jesus teaches about prayer	Matthew 6:5-15
60. Jesus teaches about fasting	Matthew 6:16-18
61. Jesus teaches about money	Matthew 6:19-24
62. Jesus teaches about worry	Matthew 6:25-34
63. Jesus teaches about judging others	Matthew 7:1-6		Luke 6:37-42
64. Jesus teaches about asking, looking, knocking	Matthew 7:7-12
65. Jesus teaches about the way to heaven	Matthew 7:13-14
66. Jesus teaches about fruit in people's lives	Matthew 7:15-20		Luke 6:43-45
67. Jesus teaches about building on a solid foundation	Matthew 7:21-29		Luke 6:46-49
68. A Roman officer demonstrates faith	Matthew 8:5-13		Luke 7:1-10
69. Jesus raises a widow's son from the dead			Luke 7:11-17
70. Jesus eases John's doubt	Matthew 11:1-19		Luke 7:18-35
71. Jesus promises rest for the soul	Matthew 11:20-30
72. A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet			Luke 7:36-50
73. Women accompany Jesus and the disciples			Luke 8:1-3
74. Religious leaders accuse Jesus of getting his power from Satan	Matthew 12:22-37	Mark 3:20-30
75. Religious leaders ask Jesus for a miracle	Matthew 12:38-45
76. Jesus describes his true family	Matthew 12:46-50	Mark 3:31-35	Luke 8:19-21
77. Jesus tells the parable of the four soils	Matthew 13:1-9	Mark 4:1-9	Luke 8:4-8
78. Jesus explains the parable of the four soils	Matthew 13:10-23	Mark 4:10-25	Luke 8:9-18
79. Jesus tells the parable of the growing seed		Mark 4:26-29
80. Jesus tells the parable of the weeds	Matthew 13:24-30
81. Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed	Matthew 13:31-32	Mark 4:30-34
82. Jesus tells the parable of the yeast	Matthew 13:33-35
83. Jesus explains the parable of the weeds	Matthew 13:36-43
84. Jesus tells the parable of hidden treasure	Matthew 13:44
85. Jesus tells the parable of the pearl merchant	Matthew 13:45-46
86. Jesus tells the parable of the fishing net	Matthew 13:47-52
87. Jesus calms the storm	Matthew 8:23-27	Mark 4:35-41	Luke 8:22-25
88. Jesus sends demons into a herd of pigs	Matthew 8:28-34	Mark 5:1-20	Luke 8:26-39
89. Jesus heals a bleeding woman and restores a girl to life	Matthew 9:18-26	Mark 5:21-43	Luke 8:40-56
90. Jesus heals the blind and mute	Matthew 9:27-34
91. The people of Nazareth refuse to believe	Matthew 13:53-58	Mark 6:1-6
92. Jesus urges the disciples to pray for workers	Matthew 9:35-38
93. Jesus sends out the twelve disciples	Matthew 10:1-15	Mark 6:7-13	Luke 9:1-6
94. Jesus prepares the disciples for persecution	Matthew 10:16-42
95. Herod kills John the Baptist	Matthew 14:1-12	Mark 6:14-29	Luke 9:7-9
96. Jesus feeds 5,000	Matthew 14:13-21	Mark 6:30-44	Luke 9:10-17	John 6:1-15
97. Jesus walks on water	Matthew 14:22-33	Mark 6:45-52		John 6:16-21
98. Jesus heals all who touch him	Matthew 14:34-36	Mark 6:53-56
99. Jesus is the true bread from heaven				John 6:22-40
100. The people disagree that Jesus is from heaven				John 6:41-59
101. Many disciples desert Jesus				John 6:60-71
102. Jesus teaches about inner purity	Matthew 15:1-20	Mark 7:1-23
103. Jesus sends a demon out of a girl	Matthew 15:21-28	Mark 7:24-30
104. Jesus heals many people	Matthew 15:29-31	Mark 7:31-37
105. Jesus feeds 4,000	Matthew 15:32-39	Mark 8:1-10
106. Leaders demand a miraculous sign	Matthew 16:1-4	Mark 8:11-13
107. Jesus warns against wrong teaching	Matthew 16:5-12	Mark 8:14-21
108. Jesus restores sight to a blind man		Mark 8:22-26
109. Peter says Jesus is the Messiah	Matthew 16:13-20	Mark 8:27-30	Luke 9:18-20
110. Jesus predicts his death the first time	Matthew 16:21-28	Mark 8:31-9:1	Luke 9:21-27
111. Jesus is transfigured on the mountain	Matthew 17:1-13	Mark 9:2-13	Luke 9:28-36
112. Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy	Matthew 17:14-21	Mark 9:14-29	Luke 9:37-43
113. Jesus predicts his death the second time	Matthew 17:22-23	Mark 9:30-32	Luke 9:44-45
114. Peter finds the coin in the fish's mouth	Matthew 17:24-27
115. The disciples argue about who would be the greatest	Matthew 18:1-6	Mark 9:33-37	Luke 9:46-48
116. The disciples forbid another to use Jesus' name		Mark 9:38-41	Luke 9:49-50
117. Jesus warns against temptation	Matthew 18:7-9	Mark 9:42-50
118. Jesus warns against looking down on others	Matthew 18:10-14
119. Jesus teaches how to treat a believer who sins	Matthew 18:15-20
120. Jesus tells the parable of the unforgiving debtor	Matthew 18:21-35
121. Jesus' brothers ridicule him				John 7:1-9
122. Jesus teaches about the cost of following him	Matthew 8:18-22		Luke 9:51-62
123. Jesus teaches openly at the Temple				John 7:10-31
124. Religious leaders attempt to arrest Jesus				John 7:32-52
125. Jesus forgives an adulterous woman				John 7:53-8:11
126. Jesus is the light of the world				John 8:12-20
127. Jesus warns of coming judgment				John 8:21-30
128. Jesus speaks about God's true children				John 8:32-47
129. Jesus states he is eternal				John 8:48-59
130. Jesus sends out 72 messengers			Luke 10:1-16
131. The 72 messengers return			Luke 10:17-24
132. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan			Luke 10:25-37
133. Jesus visits Mary and Martha			Luke 10:38-42
134. Jesus teaches his disciples about prayer			Luke 11:1-13
135. Jesus answers hostile accusations			Luke 11:14-28
136. Jesus warns against unbelief			Luke 11:29-32
137. Jesus teaches about the light within			Luke 11:33-36
138. Jesus criticizes the religious leaders			Luke 11:37-54
139. Jesus speaks against hypocrisy			Luke 12:1-12
140. Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool			Luke 12:13-21
141. Jesus warns about worry			Luke 12:22-34
142. Jesus warns about preparing for his coming			Luke 12:35-48
143. Jesus warns about coming division			Luke 12:49-53
144. Jesus warns about the future crisis			Luke 12:54-59
145. Jesus calls the people to repent			Luke 13:1-9
146. Jesus heals the crippled woman			Luke 13:10-17
147. Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God			Luke 13:18-21
148. Jesus heals the man who was born blind				John 9:1-12
149. Religious leaders question the blind man				John 9:13-34
150. Jesus teaches about spiritual blindness				John 9:35-41
151. Jesus is the good shepherd				John 10:1-21
152. Religious leaders surround Jesus at the Temple				John 10:22-42
153. Jesus teaches about entering the Kingdom			Luke 13:22-30
154. Jesus grieves over Jerusalem			Luke 13:31-35
155. Jesus heals a man with swollen limbs			Luke 14:1-6
156. Jesus teaches about seeking honor			Luke 14:7-14
157. Jesus tells the parable of the great festival			Luke 14:15-24
158. Jesus teaches about the cost of being a disciple			Luke 14:25-35
159. Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep			Luke 15:1-7
160. Jesus tells the parable of the lost coin			Luke 15:8-10
161. Jesus tells the parable of the lost son			Luke 15:11-32
162. Jesus tells the parable of the shrewd manager			Luke 16:1-18
163. Jesus tells about the rich man and the beggar			Luke 16:19-31
164. Jesus tells about forgiveness and faith			Luke 17:1-10
165. Lazarus becomes ill and dies				John 11:1-16
166. Jesus comforts Mary and Martha				John 11:17-37
167. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead				John 11:38-44
168. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus				John 11:45-57
169. Jesus heals ten men with leprosy			Luke 17:11-19
170. Jesus teaches about the coming of the Kingdom of God			Luke 17:20-37
171. Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow			Luke 18:1-8
172. Jesus tells the parable of two men who prayed			Luke 18:9-14
173. Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce	Matthew 19:1-12	Mark 10:1-12
174. Jesus blesses the children	Matthew 19:13-15	Mark 10:13-16	Luke 18:15-17
175. Jesus speaks to the rich young man	Matthew 19:16-30	Mark 10:17-31	Luke 18:18-30
176. Jesus tells the parable of the vineyard workers	Matthew 20:1-16
177. Jesus predicts his death the third time	Matthew 20:17-19	Mark 10:32-34	Luke 18:31-34
178. Jesus teaches about serving others	Matthew 20:20-28	Mark 10:35-45
179. Jesus heals a blind beggar	Matthew 20:29-34	Mark 10:46-52	Luke 18:35-43
180. Jesus brings salvation to Zacchaeus's home			Luke 19:1-10
181. Jesus tells the parable of the king's ten servants			Luke 19:11-27
182. A woman anoints Jesus with perfume	Matthew 26:6-13	Mark 14:3-9		John 12:1-11
183. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a young donkey	Matthew 21:1-11	Mark 11:1-11	Luke 19:28-44	John 12:12-19
184. Jesus clears the Temple again	Matthew 21:12-17	Mark 11:12-19	Luke 19:45-48
185. Jesus explains why he must die				John 12:20-36
186. Most of the people do not believe in Jesus				John 12:37-43
187. Jesus summarizes his message				John 12:44-50
188. Jesus says the disciples can pray for anything	Matthew 21:18-22	Mark 11:20-26
189. Religious leaders challenge Jesus' authority	Matthew 21:23-27	Mark 11:27-33	Luke 20:1-8
190. Jesus tells the parable of the two sons	Matthew 21:28-32
191. Jesus tells the parable of the evil farmers	Matthew 21:33-46	Mark 12:1-12	Luke 20:9-19
192. Jesus tells the parable of the wedding dinner	Matthew 22:1-14
193. Religious leaders question Jesus about paying taxes	Matthew 22:15-22	Mark 12:13-17	Luke 20:20-26
194. Religious leaders question Jesus about the Resurrection	Matthew 22:23-33	Mark 12:18-27	Luke 20:27-40
195. Religious leaders question Jesus about the greatest commandment	Matthew 22:34-40	Mark 12:28-34
196. Religious leaders cannot answer Jesus' question	Matthew 22:41-46	Mark 12:35-37	Luke 20:41-44
197. Jesus warns against the religious leaders	Matthew 23:1-12	Mark 12:38-40	Luke 20:45-47
198. Jesus condemns the religious leaders	Matthew 23:13-36
199. Jesus grieves over Jerusalem again	Matthew 23:37-39
200. A poor widow gives all she has		Mark 12:41-44	Luke 21:1-4
201. Jesus tells about the future	Matthew 24:1-25	Mark 13:1-23	Luke 21:5-24
202. Jesus tells about his return	Matthew 24:26-35	Mark 13:24-31	Luke 21:25-33
203. Jesus tells about remaining watchful	Matthew 24:36-51	Mark 13:32-37	Luke 21:34-38
204. Jesus tells the parable of the ten bridesmaids	Matthew 25:1-13
205. Jesus tells the parable of the loaned money	Matthew 25:14-30
206. Jesus tells about the final judgment	Matthew 25:31-46
207. Religious leaders plot to kill Jesus	Matthew 26:1-5	Mark 14:1-2	Luke 22:1-2
208. Judas agrees to betray Jesus	Matthew 26:14-16	Mark 14:10-11	Luke 22:3-6
209. Disciples prepare for the Passover	Matthew 26:17-19	Mark 14:12-16	Luke 22:7-13
210. Jesus washes the disciples' feet				John 13:1-20
211. Jesus and the disciples share the Last Supper	Matthew 26:20-30	Mark 14:17-26	Luke 22:14-30	John 13:21-30
212. Jesus predicts Peter's denial			Luke 22:31-38	John 13:31-38
213. Jesus is the way to the Father				John 14:1-14
214. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit				John 14:15-31
215. Jesus teaches about the vine and the branches				John 15:1-17
216. Jesus warns about the world's hatred				John 15:18-16:4
217. Jesus teaches about the Holy Spirit				John 16:5-15
218. Jesus teaches about using his name in prayer				John 16:16-33
219. Jesus prays for himself				John 17:1-5
220. Jesus prays for his disciples				John 17:6-19
221. Jesus prays for future believers				John 17:20-26
222. Jesus again predicts Peter's denial	Matthew 26:31-35	Mark 14:27-31
223. Jesus agonizes in the garden	Matthew 26:36-46	Mark 14:32-42	Luke 22:39-46
224. Jesus is betrayed and arrested	Matthew 26:47-56	Mark 14:43-52	Luke 22:47-53	John 18:1-11
225. Annas questions Jesus				John 18:12-24
226. Caiaphas questions Jesus	Matthew 26:57-68	Mark 14:53-65
227. Peter denies knowing Jesus	Matthew 26:69-75	Mark 14:66-72	Luke 22:54-65	John 18:25-27
228. The council of religious leaders condemns Jesus	Matthew 27:1-2	Mark 15:01	Luke 22:66-71
229. Judas hangs himself	Matthew 27:3-10
230. Jesus' trial before Pilate	Matthew 27:11-14	Mark 15:2-5	Luke 23:1-5	John 18:28-37
231. Jesus stands trial before Herod			Luke 23:6-12
232. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified	Matthew 27:15-26	Mark 15:6-15	Luke 23:13-25	John 18:38-19:16
233. Roman soldiers mock Jesus	Matthew 27:27-31	Mark 15:16-20
234. Jesus is led away to be crucified	Matthew 27:32-34	Mark 15:21-24	Luke 23:26-31	John 19:17
235. Jesus is placed on the cross	Matthew 27:35-44	Mark 15:25-32	Luke 23:32-43	John 19:18-27
236. Jesus dies on the cross	Matthew 27:45-56	Mark 15:33-41	Luke 23:44-49	John 19:28-37
237. Jesus is laid in the tomb	Matthew 27:57-61	Mark 15:42-47	Luke 23:50-56	John 19:38-42
238. Guards are posted at the tomb	Matthew 27:62-66
239. Jesus rises from the dead	Matthew 28:1-7	Mark 16:1-8	Luke 24:1-12	John 20:1-10
240. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene		Mark 16:9-11		John 20:11-18
241. Jesus appears to the women	Matthew 28:8-10
242. Religious leaders bribe the guards	Matthew 28:11-15
243. Jesus appears to two believers traveling on the road		Mark 16:12-13	Luke 24:13-34
244. Jesus appears to his disciples			Luke 24:35-43	John 20:19-23
245. Jesus appears to Thomas		Mark 16:14		John 20:24-31
246. Jesus appears to seven disciples				John 21:1-14
247. Jesus challenges Peter				John 21:15-25
248. Jesus gives the great commission	Matthew 28:16-20	Mark 16:15-18
249. Jesus appears to the disciples in Jerusalem			Luke 24:44-49
250. Jesus ascends into heaven		Mark 16:19-20	Luke 24:50-53

 

#240 (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18) Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene - Life of Christ = Week 48 - Friday

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
Mark 16:9-11

John 20:11-18  

Intro Questions

Text Graphic

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• 
  
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• 
  
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

OPEN: 

• Describe a time when you mistook someone for the wrong person.

DIG:

• Would you have responded more like Mary or like the disciples? Why? 
• Does Mary appear to be quietly grieving, or more hysterical? What finally breaks through her grief and confusion (John 19:16)?
• What term (John 19:17) does Jesus use for his disciples here? What is new in their relationship from now on (John 15:15)?

REFECT:

• How has Jesus spoken your name in a time of grief? How did it affect you?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus is your brother?

https://youtu.be/cPSDQ0Pqm9s

https://youtu.be/RULSTlLFmN4

https://youtu.be/ZztfWScnFog

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Doing the “Impossible” 

            In India, Dashrath Manjh became known as “Mountain Man” because he single-handedly cut a road through a mountain using only a hammer and chisel—and 22 years. In the eastern part of India, Loungi Bhuiya had watched young men, including his four sons, leave the village because farming was almost impossible in the region. There was plenty of water, but the rainfall quickly ran into the Falgu River and swept away. If only a canal could divert water from a forest source into a village pond, it could be used for irrigation. However, the canal would need to be at least two miles long. 

            Remembering Manjh, thirty years ago, Loungi Bhuiya picked up a mattock and a basket while he led his cattle out to the field. While he tended his cattle, he chopped the turf and used a two-foot diameter basket to toss the dirt aside. Slowly, a ditch began to take shape. Absolutely nobody in the village helped. Four feet wide, three feet deep, basket after basket emptied beside the ditch. Teased and ridiculed, Bhuiya kept working. His reputation grew year after year as the ditch lengthened. A couple of months ago, the last few inches fell and water began to flow two miles to the thirsty fields. Suddenly, everybody wants to be his friend and Mahindra has given him a tractor to enlarge and maintain the canal! Doubts washed away in the life-giving flow. 

            “Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, “I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God”’” (John 20:18 NIV). 

            During the years of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry, His own brothers did not believe Him to be the Christ, the Son of God. Their teasing is related in John 7 and the apostle plainly declares that His brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). It is hard for us to accept that even in the face of the miracles Jesus performed, His brothers would not recognize Him as Messiah. And then He was arrested, condemned and crucified—and rose from the dead on the third day. Any doubts they might have had were washed away in the sunburst of glory from the empty tomb. Having seen Him alive again, Jesus’ brothers were utterly convinced and committed themselves to Him. Two of them, James and Jude, contributed inspired books to the New Testament. 

            No matter how “impossible” it might seem for Jesus to rise from the dead, His resurrection is a fact. The reality of His resurrection makes it obvious that He is more than mere mortal. The ancients were far better acquainted with death—and violent death—than we are and they knew beyond any doubt that Jesus died on that cross. They saw to it that He was buried in a rock tomb and a guard was placed to prevent any meddling. And yet on the third day, Jesus walked out alive, doing what couldn’t be done. Now He wants everybody to be His friend and to share in the resurrection life that flows from Him. There is no reasonable doubt about Jesus’ divine nature. Only He could rise from the dead and only He can grant that same life to you and me.

#239 (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10) Jesus Rises from the Dead - Life of Christ = Week 48 - Thursday

Jesus Rises from the Dead
Matthew 28:1-7
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-12
John 20:1-10

Jesus Is Resurrected

Matthew 28:2–4

²Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. ³His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. ⁴The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 243). Holman Bible Publishers.

Women Visit the Tomb to Anoint Jesus’ Body

Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1–4; Luke 24:1–2

^{Mk 16:1a}When the Sabbath was over, ^{Mt 28:1a}as the first day of the week was dawning, ^{Mk 16:1b–4}Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Him… ³And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” ⁴Looking up, they observed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (p. 243). Holman Bible Publishers.

Women Discover the Empty Tomb

Matthew 28:5–8; Mark 16:5–8; Luke 24:3–8; John 20:1–2

^{Lk 24:3–4}They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus [^{Jn 20:1}On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb]. ⁴While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes [^{Mk 16:5b}they saw a young man dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side].

^{Lk 24:5a}So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. ^{Mk 16:6a}“Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. ^{Mt 28:6}He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. ^{Lk 24:6b–8}Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, ⁷saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” ⁸And they remembered His words.

^{Mk 16:7a}“But go [^{Mt 28:7}go quickly], tell His disciples and Peter, ^{Mt 28:7b–8}‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” ⁸So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy [^{Mk 16:8a}So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment had gripped them], they ran to tell His disciples the news [^{Mk 16:8b}they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid].^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 244–245). Holman Bible Publishers.

Peter and John Hurry to the Tomb

Luke 24:9–12; John 20:3–10

^{Lk 24:9–11}Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. ¹⁰Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. ¹¹But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.

^{Jn 20:3–5}At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in^†.

⁶Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb^† and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. ⁹For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. ¹⁰Then the disciples went home again.^[1]

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^[1] Knight, G. W. (2001). A simplified harmony of the Gospels (pp. 245–246). Holman Bible Publishers.

https://youtu.be/sovU2TFIV_s

April 5, 2026 - Easter Sunday: From Darkness to Light

https://youtu.be/O1hDs1qxVMs?t=2864

https://youtu.be/cQU8UQM4_XI

https://youtu.be/cFvcxLTno0A

Describe a time recently when you woke up very early to do something outside your normal routine.

The next evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene and Salome and Mary the mother of James went out and purchased embalming spices.
Early the following morning, just at sunrise, they carried them out to the tomb. On the way they were discussing how they could ever roll aside the huge stone from the entrance.
But when they arrived they looked up and saw that the stone—a very heavy one—was already moved away and the entrance was open! So they entered the tomb—and there on the right sat a young man clothed in white. The women were startled, but the angel said, "Don't be so surprised. Aren't you looking for Jesus, the Nazarene who was crucified? He isn't here! He has come back to life! Look, that's where his body was lying. Now go and give this message to his disciples including Peter:
"'Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died!'"
The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, too frightened to talk.
She ran and found Simon Peter and me and said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!"
We ran to the tomb to see; I outran Peter and got there first, and stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but I didn't go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went on inside. He also noticed the cloth lying there, while the swath that had covered Jesus' head was rolled up in a bundle and was lying at the side. Then I went in too, and saw, and believed that he had risen—for until then we hadn't realized that the Scriptures said he would come to life again!
We went on home, and by that time Mary had returned to the tomb and was standing outside crying. And as she wept, she stooped and looked in and saw two white-robed angels sitting at the head and foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying.
"Why are you crying?" the angels asked her.
"Because they have taken away my Lord," she replied, "and I don't know where they have put him."
She glanced over her shoulder and saw someone standing behind her. It was Jesus, but she didn't recognize him!
"Why are you crying?" he asked her. "Whom are you looking for?"
She thought he was the gardener. "Sir," she said, "if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him."
"Mary!" Jesus said. She turned toward him.
"Master!" she exclaimed.
"Don't touch me," he cautioned, "for I haven't yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them that I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God."
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, "I have seen the Lord!" Then she gave them his message.

• God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
• We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
• Given what these women experienced in the last few days (Luke 19:37ff; 23:26-49, 55), how would they feel as they went to the tomb? Then, when they find it empty? Finally, when the two men spoke to them?
• What were the women expecting when we look at their preparations in Luke 24:1?
• What does the resurrection prove (Romans 1:4)? Why is it so critical? Why was his crucifixion not enough by itself?
• How significant is it that we worship as a body on the first day of the week?
• How did the apostles respond to the women's report in Luke 24:9-12? Why wouldn't the Eleven believe them? What must be going through Peter's mind?
• Suppose you were with the women, excitedly telling the disciples about the empty tomb. How would you feel when the men respond with "Nonsense! You're crazy" in Luke 24:11. Is it any different today?
• I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
• How did the meaning of the resurrection first "dawn" upon you? What difference does the resurrection make to you? What do you believe about the resurrection of your own body?
• What difference does Jesus' resurrection make to your life and the way you respond to life?
• Where is your spiritual life focused: On "Good Friday"? "Easter Sunday"? Or in between?
• In what ways was Jesus' body different after the resurrection? The same?
• You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

OPEN:

• When something upsets you, who is the first one you tell?

DIG:

• Put yourself in the place of Mary. What is your emotional state two days after the crucifixion? Why do you visit the tomb so early? Realizing the body is gone, how do you react? 
• If John was "the other disciple," why did he refer to him-self as "the one Jesus loved"?

REFECT:

• When a loved one dies, how does the resurrection of Jesus help you to deal with your pain? 
• What is your proof that Jesus rose from the dead?

========

More Resources:
Mark 16:1-8 — The Ministry of Jesus Begins Anew
http://johnmarkhicks.com/2012/08/20/mark-161-8-the-ministry-of-jesus-begins-anew/
==========

Resurrection, Post-Resurrection Appearances, and Ascension

Jesus was resurrected early Sunday morning, just as He had predicted—on “the third day” (Matt. 16:21). These were not three full days but one full day—Saturday—and part of the day on which He was buried (Friday) and part of the day on which He was resurrected (Sunday).

Jesus did not ascend to His Father immediately after He was resurrected. For 40 days He appeared to His disciples and other believers (see Acts 1:3). He did this to convince them He was alive and to strengthen them for the task He had trained and commissioned them to do. It was now their job to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God to all people and to nurture the infant church to His glory.

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The Women at Jesus’ Tomb

These three women were probably the same ones who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus. Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ most loyal followers after He cast seven demons out of her. She was one of the women who ministered to Jesus in Galilee (Luke 8:2–3). We don’t know for sure who Mary the mother of James was; she may have been the wife of Cleopas (John 19:25) or the mother of James the son of Alphaeus. Salome was probably the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 27:56). Matthew’s account of the visit of the women to the tomb does not mention Salome (Matt. 28:1).

The role of these women is especially significant in light of the fact that they lived in a male-oriented society. Although only one of the twelve disciples—John—was at the crucifixion (John 19:25–27), these women were present. They were the first people to come to the empty tomb, the first to learn Jesus was alive, the first to see Him alive, and the first to tell the good news of His resurrection.

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Sunday morning at the Tomb -- The Gospels (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-13) agree that Jesus was raised bodily from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week. They also agree that Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the empty tomb, and most probably of the resurrected Lord. This is an important piece of historical evidence, since the testimony of a woman was of no legal value in ancient Jewish society. If some early church writers had invented a story of the resurrection, they would not have emphasized Mary's witness in the narrative. 

Like the crucifixion accounts, the resurrection accounts diverge in a number of particulars. Only Matthew reports an earthquake and the rolling away of the stone from the tomb (Matthew 28:2). Since Matthew also reported an earthquake at the crucifixion (27:51), the second earthquake may show the equal significance of the resurrection. Matthew and Mark speak of one angel at the tomb (Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:5), whereas Luke and John speak of two (Luke 24:4; John 20:12). Matthew and Mark report only the women visiting the empty tomb, while Luke and John tell of a visit by Peter (Luke 24:12), with John relating a foot race between Peter and the beloved disciple to the tomb (John 20:3-8).

With other verses (Matthew 28:9-15; Mark 16:9-11; and John 20:14-18) the women met the resurrected Lord outside the tomb, near Jerusalem and again were instructed to tell the disciples to go to Galilee (Matthew 28:7, 10). Jesus' appearance to one woman, Mary Magdalene, is specifically noted by John and Mark. Overcome by grief, and with tear-dimmed eyes, Mary did not immediately recognize the Lord.

Matthew is the only evangelist to report the Jewish religious leaders' cover-up of the resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15). Since Mathew's Gospel is intended for Jewish readers, this story helps explain the disappointing response of Jews to the gospel.

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Resurrection Reality
The Resurrection is vitally important for many reasons: (1) Jesus kept his promise to rise from the dead, so we can believe that he will keep all his other promises. (2) The Resurrection ensures that the ruler of God's eternal Kingdom will be the living Christ, not just an idea, hope, or dream. (3) Christ's resurrection gives us the assurance that we also will be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). (4) The power of God that brought Christ's body back from the dead is available to us to bring our morally and spiritually dead selves back to life so that we can change and grow. (5) The Resurrection provides the substance of the church's witness to the world. We do not merely tell lessons from the life of a good teacher; we proclaim the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


The women purchased the spices on Saturday evening after the Sabbath had ended so they could go to the tomb early the next morning and anoint Jesus' body as a sign of love, devotion, and respect. Bringing spices to the tomb was like bringing flowers to a grave today.

Stages of Belief
People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like Mary and the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief. (1) At first, they may think the story is a fabrication, impossible to believe (John 20:2). (2) Like Peter, they may check out the facts and still be puzzled about what happened (John 20:6). (3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally will they be able to accept the fact of the Resurrection (John 20:16). (4) Then, as they commit themselves to the risen Lord and devote their lives to serving him, they will begin to understand fully the reality of his presence with them (John 20:28). If people don't understand when you tell them about Jesus' resurrection, give them time. Even the disciples didn't believe it at first!


 The linen cloths that had been wrapped around Jesus' body were left as if Jesus had passed right through them. The handkerchief was still rolled up in the shape of a head, and it was at about the right distance from the wrappings that had enveloped Jesus' body. A grave robber couldn't possibly have made off with Jesus' body and left the linens as if they were still shaped around it.


He Is Near
Mary didn't recognize Jesus at first. Her grief had blinded her; she couldn't see him because she didn't expect to see him. Then Jesus spoke her name, and immediately she recognized him. Imagine the love that flooded her heart when she heard her Savior saying her name. Jesus is near you, and he is calling your name. Can you, like Mary, regard him as your Lord? Are you filled with joy by this good news, and do you share it with others?


Jesus did not want to be detained at the tomb. If he did not ascend to heaven, the Holy Spirit could not come. Both he and Mary had important work to do.

https://youtu.be/cQU8UQM4_XI

https://youtu.be/zID6parCkLQ

https://www.youtube.com/c/edmondchurchofchrist

Other Resources:

https://youtu.be/wxVaIvXDBBg

Welcome to Son Rise

The Crux of It All!

Sermon Outlines:
Kevin Rayner Oak Tree Church of Christ
Study Notes  4-19-92
"The Story of An Empty Grave"
Luke 24:1-53

     Have you ever thought what it would be like to have a friend return from the dead to surprise you.  Eleven highly disappointed men who had their dreams shattered experienced such an event.  The eternal hunger to know if there really is hope for eternal life is answered.  How hungry are you to know?

I. The resurrection's effects as a historic event.

II. The resurrection's effects on Jesus' friends. 24:1-53
   A. The empty feeling of an empty tomb. 1-8
   B. Making sense out of non-sense 9-12
   C. Opening the closed scriptures 13-32
   D. Peace in the middle of turmoil. 33-43
   E. Opening the closed minds. 44-49
   F. Hope in the midst of separation. 50-53

III. The resurrection's effects on Christ's teachings.
   A. Salvation connection to the Death, Burial, & Resurrection.

   B. Weekly memorial connected to Death, Burial, & Resurrection.

Devotional Thoughts:

  I cannot give in to the devil's principal, deceitful tactic which makes so many Christians satisfied with an "Easter celebration" instead of experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection. It is the devil's business to keep Christians mourning and weeping with pity beside the cross instead of demonstrating that Jesus Christ is risen, indeed.

   -- A. W. Tozer in Renewed Day by Day (Vol. 2). Christianity Today, Vol. 38, no. 4.

See: Matthew 28:7; Luke 24:5
===============
Quote = "The empty cross and the empty tomb speak of a full salvation."
Heartbeat = Luke 24:32 (NIV) "They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts  burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"


The Story of a Tomb
   On a Thursday afternoon in Jerusalem, I made a tourist trek to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  It is the location venerated from the fourth century as the burial place of Jesus of Nazareth.
I was not prepared for the disappointment that came over me.  For one thing, the alleged place of Christ's entombment has been hacked and broken up for souvenirs until nothing substantial remains of the tomb.  For another, what does remain -- a slab on which the body is said to have rested -- is enshrined and remote from view.  A priest shooed us away from the line of clearest sight, and I was left to peep in through a porthole-type window.
Then Joseph Shulam directed the people in our small group to an unadorned, plain tomb no more than 50 yards away.  It has all the features described in the biblical record.  While it is almost certainly not the setting for Jesus' burial, it gave me a greater sense of contact with the historical event and its meaning.
We had to stoop low to enter it, and the chamber -- hewn out of solid rock -- was dark, oppressive, and stale.  The place was likely intended to hold a small family, perhaps as many as five people.  Two body receptacles were bored horizontally into the rock wall.  Each was almost six feet deep.
Since this tomb is not a primary tourist spot and does not get anything like the volume of visitors its neighbor site receives, we lingered there a while.  Some of us went inside.  And a few of us even decided to wriggle out way into the body receptacles.
What a strange and almost mystical experience!  Was there an end to that dark tunnel?  What was inside the shaft that might represent a threat to me?  Was this "imitation" of death some sort of mocking inducement of its power?
But there is nothing to fear from death because of what happened with Jesus at some place within a stone's throw of where I was that day.  His resurrection has broken the power of death.  Christ is the ultimate victor -- not death -- and I stand with him.
I could only mutter, "Thank you, God, that you would not let death hold him!"  Then someone began singing, "Up from the grave he arose!"  And with the most subdued sense of confidence, we left that dark place, put its threatening presence behind us, and walked away with an invigorated sense of gratitude for Easter.
"He arose!  He arose!  Hallelujah, Christ arose!"

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The Eulogy

My son had to write a eulogy of himself for a university course called, The Essence of Man. He asked if I could assist him with the paper.

I wrote...
Dear Son: This is going to be hard since I have to imagine that you are dead but really are alive. This will take on more meaning since we have to go to the funeral home right after this to visit some family who have lost their father.

"Peter Gideon, (known as Gideon) our only son, will be sadly missed by dad, mom, family and friends..."

 Upon completion, I shared the eulogy with my wife. She told me later that she cried after she read it. I thought to myself, "But he is alive; he is not dead." I was relieved. I promptly deleted the article. I did not want to think that my only son was dead.

 At Easter time, many years ago, angels came to some people and said exactly the same thing. "He is not dead but alive! He is risen!" They were referring to Jesus Christ who died a terrible death on the cross for our sins and to give us new life, a new meaning to exist. (Luke 24:5)

Friend, God's only Son is not dead as some believe. He is alive! If Jesus, God's Son was dead, we would have no reason to exist. There would be no purpose for life. The essence of man would be futile. There are so many in this world that believe God is dead. These same people find no reason to live.

Would you consider praying this prayer... "God, I always thought that you were dead. I hear that You loved your Son but chose to send Him to earth to die a terrible death on the cross for my sins. Thank you for making such a sacrifice. I am sorry for the wrongs that I have done to hurt You. Somehow, I really don't have any purpose in my life, nothing really to strive for. Would you come into my life and give me new meaning, a new purpose? You are my last hope. Repair my heart and make me interested in living once again. Open my eyes so that I can see color once more. Heal me so that I can enjoy the nature around me. Amen."

Contributed by George Prins.
mailto:gprins@freenet.npiec.on.ca

===============
Why I Believe In The Resurrection

Text: 1 Cor 15:1-8,13-19, Job 14:14, Matt 27:64, Matt 28:13, Luke 24:11

The case for the resurrection of Jesus.  The two main facts are the empty tomb and the post-resurrection appearances.  Alternate theories are discussed: the body was stolen, authorities moved it, women went to wrong tomb, swoon. For appearances, hallucinations are discussed.

================

The Resurrection of Jesus

Scripture unanimously depicts the personal and bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead by the power of God, but numerous other attempts to explain it have emerged: (1) Jesus never really died-instead, he lost consciousness and regained it after being laid in a cool tomb (the swoon theory); (2) the disciples of Jesus stole his body and then lied about a resurrection (28:12-15); (3) the disciples had hallucinations and dreams that they mistakenly confused with a physical resurrection; and (4) the resurrection is a personal experience in the heart of faith, not an event in history. Behind such suggestions lies a deep-seated skepticism toward the supernatural, or at least toward whether a miraculous event could have happened. Such suggestions fail to take into account the fact that for NT authors and their audiences, the term "resurrection" could only have meant the literal reanimation of a dead corpse (see 1 Cor 15).

The historicity of Jesus' resurrection and the historical reliability of the biblical accounts are supported by (1) the evidence of an empty tomb; (2) the presence of women as witnesses (no one would have made up a story with women as witnesses, since the testimony of a woman was considered to be less reliable than that of a man); (3) the varied but basically unified accounts of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances; (4) the transformation of the disciples from a fearful band into fearless followers; and (5) the disciples' ability to overcome the scandal of following a crucified man (Deut 21:23 indicates that one who dies such a death has fallen under God's curse). Judaism had no concept of a dying and rising Messiah that could conveniently be applied to Jesus. Inventing something no one would find conceivable would have made little sense. The most reasonable conclusion is that Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead.

Matt 16:21; 17:9, 23; 20:19; 26:32; 28:1-10
Mark 14:28
Luke 9:22; 14:14
John 2:19-22; 5:21; 6:39-40; 11:1-44; 14:20; 21:14
Acts 1:21-22; 2:22-36; 3:15, 26; 4:2, 10, 33; 5:30; 10:39-40; 13:29-31; 17:18, 32; 23:6-10
Rom 1:4; 4:24-25; 6:4-5, 9; 7:4; 8:11, 34; 10:9
1 Cor 6:14; 15:4, 12-23, 35, 42-44, 52
2 Cor 1:9; 4:14; 5:15
Gal 1:1
Eph 1:19-20; 2:5-6
Phil 3:10-11
Col 2:12; 3:1
1 Thes 1:10; 4:14
2 Tim 2:8, 18
Heb 6:2; 11:35
1 Pet 1:21; 3:18, 21
Rev 20:4-8, 11-15

https://youtu.be/5i60y01bNwk

 https://youtu.be/e5Sg0YlsG_U

https://youtu.be/wdn1R90kX9A

Why is it called "Good Friday"?

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RdiAYOnbBg4

Humor:
   A minister in Darby, Pennsylvania, tell this one:
   The four-year-old son of an undertaker was puzzled one Easter morning when he heard about the Resurrection. "Do you mean," he asked, "that Jesus really rose up from the dead?"
   "Oh, yes," the teacher said.
   The boy shook his head. "I know my daddy didn't take care of Him after He died," the boy said. "He'd never get up again!"

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