What was the message of the angels at the tomb of Jesus?

Answer 1

The four Gospels of The Bible tell similar accounts of the visit made by Mary (sometimes accompanied by others) to Jesus' tomb.

The Gospel According to John

Mary Magdalene visited the tomb alone and found Jesus is missing; she then reported to Simon Peter and returned to the tomb where she met two angels, who say only:

Woman, why are you crying? (John 20)

The Gospel According to Luke

Mary Magdalene visited the tomb with Mary of Cleophas, and Saint Joanna, among others, where they met two angels who say:

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." (Luke 24)

The Gospel According to Mark

Mary Magdalene, Mary of Cleophas and Salome, mother of John the Apostle and James the Greater visited the tomb. They met one angel, who said:

Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." (Mark 16)

The Gospel According to Matthew

Mary Magdalene visited the tomb with Mary of Cleophas and met one angel, who said:

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: "He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him." Now I have told you.(Matthew 28)

Answer 2

Mark's Gospel says that the women told no-one. Originally, this gospel ended at verse 16:8, with the women fleeing from the sepulchre and telling no-one, for they were afraid. The "Long Ending" (Mark 16:9-20), added much later to the gospel, says that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene later, and then she told them that had been with him.

Matthew's Gospel says that the women ran to tell the disciples, meeting Jesus on the way.

Luke's Gospel says they told the story to the eleven and all the rest.

John's Gospel says that Mary Magdalene went to the sepulchre while it was still dark, and just seeing that the stone had been moved, ran to tell Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved. It was they who first realised that the tomb was empty.

Answer 3

In the final chapter of Mark's Gospel, the young man told the women not to be afraid and that Jesus was risen, but that they should tell the others to go to Galilee, where they would see him. The Gospel then ended with the women fleeing and telling no-one. The "Long Ending" (verses 16:9-25) were added much later, to provide evidence that Jesus truly had risen.

Answer 4

A:In Luke's Gospel, there were two men standing inside the tomb, apparently angels. They simply told the women that Jesus was risen, but gave no instructions for the disciples, who would see Jesus later that day.

In John's Gospel, Mary Magdalene alone saw two angels on her second visit to the sepulchre. They gave her no message, simply asking her why she wept. Mary turned around and saw Jesus, but thought he was the gardener.

In Matthew's Gospel, there was clearly only one angel, since he descended from heaven and sat on the stone when the two women first arrived. His message to the women was that Jesus was risen, and that they were to go to Galilee where Jesus would meet them.

Answer 5

Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-10; John 20:1-8

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.