The Empty Tomb

1Ona the first day of the weekb •Mary Magdalenec came to the tombd early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stonee had been removedf from the tomb. 2So she ran to Simon Peterg and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,h and we don’t know where they have put Him! ”

3At 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 clothsi 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 wrappingj that had been on His head was not lying with the linen clothsk but was 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 Scripturel that He must risem from the dead.n 10Then the disciples went home again.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

11Buto Mary stood outside facing the tomb,p crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12She saw two angelsq in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ bodyr had been lying. 13They said to her, “•Woman, why are you crying? ”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,”s she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” 14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.t

15“Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for? ”

Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”

16Jesus said, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to Him in •Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”u — which means “Teacher.”v

17“Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascendedw to the Father.x But go to My brothersy and tell them that I am ascending to My Fatherz and your Father — to My Godaa and your God.”

18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord! ”ab And she told them whatac He had said to her.

The Disciples Commissioned

19In the evening of that first day of the week,ad the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the •Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you! ”ae

20Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side.af So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

21Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me,ag I also send you.”ah 22After saying this, He breathed on themai and said,aj “Receive the Holy Spirit.ak 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”al

Thomas Sees and Believes

24But one of the Twelve, Thomasam (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord! ”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails,an and put my hand into His side,ao I will never believe! ”ap

26After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you! ”

27Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”aq

28Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God! ”

29Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.ar Those who believe without seeingas are blessed.”

The Purpose of This Gospel

30Jesus performed many other signsat in the presence of His disciples that are not writtenau in this book.av 31But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the •Messiah,aw the Sonax of God,ay, az and by believing you may have life in His name.ba