The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most significant events in Christian history. It is a central tenet of the faith and a source of hope and inspiration for millions of people around the world.
The story of the resurrection is told in several places throughout the New Testament, but what verse specifically recounts this event? Let’s take a closer look.
The Resurrection Story
The resurrection story is found in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel provides a slightly different account of the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection, but they all agree on the main details.
In brief, the story goes like this: After Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb, three days later, Mary Magdalene and other women went to visit his tomb. When they arrived, they found that the stone covering the entrance had been moved and that Jesus’ body was gone. An angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Matthew 28:1-10
Matthew’s Gospel provides one account of the resurrection story. In chapter 28, verses 1-10 we read:
1 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him, the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Mark 16:1-8
Mark’s Gospel also provides an account of the resurrection story. In chapter 16, verses 1-8 we read:
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side , dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. 6 And he said to them,”Do not be alarmed.
You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Luke 24:1-12
Luke’s Gospel also provides an account of the resurrection story. In chapter 24, verses 1-12 we read:
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,
3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them,”Why do you seek the living among the dead?
6 He is not here but has risen.” Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee,
7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and onthe third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words,
- The women returned from the tomb and told all these things tothe Elevenand to all the others.
- It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.
- But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.
John 20:1-18
John’s Gospel provides yet another account of the resurrection story. In chapter 20, verses 1-18 we read:
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter andthe other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them,”They have taken the Lord out ofthe tomb,and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out withthe other disciple, and they were going towardthe tomb. 4 Both of them were running together,butthe other discipleoutran Peter and reachedthe tomb first.
5 And stooping to look in, he sawthe linen cloths lying there,but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came,following him,and went intothe tomb. He sawthe linen cloths lying there,
- The cloth that had been on Jesus’ head was folded up and placed by itself.
- The cloth that had been on Jesus’ body was lying in its place without being disturbed.
In Conclusion
In summary, the resurrection story is found in all four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel provides a slightly different account of the events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection.
While there is no single verse that recounts the entire story of Jesus’ resurrection, we can find different accounts of it in various verses throughout the Gospels. As such, it is important for believers to read and study the Bible as a whole to gain a full understanding of this pivotal event in Christian history.