The Resurrection
On the third day, women find Jesus' tomb empty. Angels announce He has risen! Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and later to His disciples.
Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18
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The Story
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
She came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple. 'They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!'
Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. The other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head, folded up by itself.
Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been.
They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?'
'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don't know where they have put him.'
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?'
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him.'
Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'
She turned toward him and cried out, 'Rabboni!' (which means 'Teacher').
Jesus said, 'Go to my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: 'I have seen the Lord!'
Jesus Is Alive!
Kids Version
Jesus was dead. His friends put His body in a tomb—a cave with a big stone rolled in front of it.
Everyone was SO sad. They thought it was all over.
But then came Sunday morning...
Mary Magdalene and some other women walked to the tomb very early. They wanted to put special spices on Jesus' body.
But when they got there—the stone was ROLLED AWAY! The tomb was OPEN!
Mary ran to tell Peter and John. 'Someone took Jesus' body!'
Peter and John raced to the tomb. They went inside. The cloths that had been wrapped around Jesus were there, but no body!
They went home confused. But Mary stayed, crying outside the tomb.
She looked inside and saw two ANGELS in white!
'Why are you crying?' they asked.
'They took my Lord away! I don't know where He is!'
Then Mary turned around. A man was standing there.
'Why are you crying?' He asked. 'Who are you looking for?'
Mary thought He was the gardener. 'Sir, if you took Him, please tell me where!'
Then the man said one word: 'Mary.'
She KNEW that voice! 'TEACHER!' she cried.
It was JESUS! He was ALIVE!
Mary was SO happy! Jesus told her, 'Go tell My friends that I'm going back to My Father!'
Mary ran faster than she'd ever run. 'I SAW THE LORD! He's ALIVE!'
Jesus didn't stay dead. He rose from the dead! He won the battle against death!
And because Jesus is alive, everyone who believes in Him will live forever too!
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Characters in This Story
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Scripture — Matthew 28:1-10 (KJV)
1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2And, 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. was: or, had been
3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
Memory Verse
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”
— Matthew 28:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Resurrection” in the Bible?
On the third day, women find Jesus' tomb empty. Angels announce He has risen! Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene and later to His disciples. This story is found in Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18.
Where is “The Resurrection” found in the Bible?
“The Resurrection” is found in Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “The Resurrection”?
This story teaches children about Victory over death, New life, Hope, Good news. Three days after Jesus died, women went to His tomb—but it was EMPTY! An angel said, 'He's not here! He's ALIVE!' Jesus had risen from the dead!