• With Paul home in Tarsus, the narrative focuses once more on Peter.
• He last appeared in connection with the Samaritan mission (8:14–25).
• 1) Someone being healed is a pretty big deal!
• 2) Someone raising from the dead is even a bigger deal.
• 3) Someone coming to salvation in Christ is the biggest deal!

 
Acts 9
THE HEALING OF AENEAS
32 As Peter was traveling from place to place (itinerant ministry), he also came down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

• Believers in Lydda possibly because Phillip passed through to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)
• The Christians are referred to as “saints” in both accounts (vv. 34, 41), a point the NIV obscures by using “believers” in v. 41.
• “Saints” is a rather rare designation for believers in Acts.[1]

33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,” and immediately he got up.

• Peter took the initiative.
• Peter’s first miracle was healing a crippled man in Acts 3.
• Who healed Aeneas? Jesus
• What healed Aeneas? Faith in Jesus
• “make your bed” – Couch or mat – Similar to what they would have prepared for dining at the table.
• Indicating Aeneas had retained enough sustenance to regain his strength.

35 So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

• Lydda was located in the fertile coastal plain of Sharon, which extends north from Joppa to Mt. Carmel.[2]​

 
DORCAS RESTORED TO LIFE
36 In Joppa

• modern Joffa in Tel Aviv, 10 miles west of Lydda)
• Same place Jonah fled to when escaping God after he was told to go to Ninevah.
• But also the same place Peter receives his calling to go to the Gentiles.

there was a disciple named Tabitha = Gazelle (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works and acts of charity.

• When the Church body loses a helpful saint, it greatly impacts the fellowship.
• Today, marks the month of one year without Todd Dolbeer.

37 About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs.

• It was Jewish custom to wash the body and prepare for with spices for burial.

38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”

• At this point, the apostles had never raised anyone from the dead… only Jesus.
• So why call Peter? Because of their faith in Jesus.

39 Peter got up and went with them.

• Who had the greater authority? The people? Or Peter?

When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

• Tabitha/Dorcas cared for the widows.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up.

• The account of Peter’s raising of Dorcas should be compared with the account of our Lord’s raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:34–43).
• In both cases, the mourning people were put out of the room; and the words spoken are almost identical: “talitha cumi: little girl, arise; Tabitha cumi: Tabitha, arise.”
• Jesus took the girl by the hand before He spoke to her, for He was not afraid of becoming ceremonially defiled.
• Peter took Dorcas by the hand after she had come to life.
• In both instances, it was the power of God that raised the person from the dead, for the dead person certainly could not exercise faith.[3]
• Peter copied exactly what Jesus had taught him.

He called the saints and widows and presented her alive.

• The distinction between saints and widows is only the fact that Tabitha/Dorcas ministered specifically to the widows and they were the most grateful of all the saints.

42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed for some time in Joppa with Simon, a leather tanner.[4]

• It is significant that Peter stayed in the home of a tanner, because tanners were considered “unclean” by the Jewish rabbis (see Lev. 11:35–40).
• God was moving Peter a step at a time from Jewish legalism into the freedom of His wonderful grace.

 
CORNELIUS’S VISION
Acts 10

• We see Peter using “the keys of the kingdom” for the third and last time.
• He had opened the door of faith for the Jews (Acts 2)
• and also for the Samaritans (Acts 8),
• and now he would be used of God to bring the Gentiles into the church (see Gal. 3:27–28; Eph. 2:11–22).
• This event took place about ten years after Pentecost. (Roughly 40 AD)[5]
• The Gentile mission was not an easy step for the Jewish Christians to take.
• It involved two major issues.
• 1) The question of whether Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians, i.e., should they undergo Jewish proselyte procedure when they were converted to Christianity?
• This would have required the circumcision of male converts and the adoption for all converts of such Jewish legal distinctives as the kosher food laws.
• Because God granted the gift of the Spirit to the Gentiles in Cornelius’s home without their subscribing to proselyte procedure, Peter became convinced that such Jewish conversion procedures were not necessary for the Christian mission to the Gentiles (cf. 15:7–11).
• The second major issue involved the question of table fellowship between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
• Since Gentiles did not follow kosher practices, Jewish Christians like Peter were exposed to a real situation of compromise when they associated with them.
• Both questions were answered for Peter in the experience with Cornelius because he was convinced that God accepted Gentiles without circumcision and that he could himself in good faith enjoy table fellowship with his Gentile-Christian brothers and sisters.
• The issues were not, however, fully settled for the Jewish Christians as a whole.
• Both issues resurfaced at the Jerusalem Conference (chap. 15) after Paul and Barnabas’s successful mission to the Gentiles, and a compromise solution was agreed upon at that time.

 

• Acts 10:1–11:18 is the longest single narrative in all of Acts. This in itself witnesses to the great importance Luke placed on the incident.

1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.

• Caesarea is sixty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem and thirty miles north of Joppa (Jaffa).
• At that time, Caesarea was the Roman capital of Judea and boasted of many beautiful public buildings.
• Caesarea was a Hellenistic-style city with a dominant population of Gentiles.
• Originally a small town named Strato’s Tower, it was rebuilt on a grand style by Herod the Great, complete with a man-made harbor, a theater, an amphitheater, a hippodrome, and a temple dedicated to Caesar.[6]
• Show 1st minute of Israel ’18 Video.
• Cornelius, the Roman centurion, whose heart had tired of pagan myths and empty religious rituals, and who had turned to Judaism in hopes he could find salvation.
• Cornelius was as close to Judaism as he could get without becoming a proselyte.[7]

3 About three in the afternoon he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius.”

• Cornelius was keeping one of the three traditional Jewish times of prayer, the afternoon hour of 3 p.m., which coincided with the Tamid sacrifice in the temple.[8]

4 Staring at him in awe (fearful respect), he said, “What is it, Lord?”
The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

• Cornelius’ sacrifice of prayer & charity were pleasing to the Lord.

5 Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him.

• Somewhat secretive but also needed men he could trust.

8 After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
 
PETER’S VISION
9 The next day, as they were traveling and nearing the city, Peter went up to pray on the roof about noon. 10 He became hungry and wanted to eat, but while they were preparing something, he fell into a trance.

• Noon was not the normal eating time, mid-morning and mid-afternoon were.
• So Peter might have missed the mid-morning brunch.
• 3 meals a day was not normal until the industrial revolution (1700’s)

11 He saw heaven opened and an object that resembled a large sheet coming down, being lowered by its four corners to the earth.

• Roofs were often covered with awnings. Perhaps that or the glimpse of a distant sail at sea provided the vehicle for the vision Peter had.

12 In it were all the four-footed animals and reptiles of the earth, and the birds of the sky. 13 A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 “No, Lord!” Peter said. “For I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean.”

• What the voice requested was strictly against the law.
• Never had he eaten anything defiled and unclean.

15 Again, a second time, the voice said to him, “What God has made clean, do not call impure.” 16 This happened three times, and suddenly the object was taken up into heaven.

• The voice ignored his protest, reissuing the command and adding, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
• The command came three times; each time Peter objected and fell into further confusion.
• It is simply not possible to fully accept someone with whom you are unwilling to share in the intimacy of table fellowship.
• The early church had to solve the problem of kosher food laws in order to launch a mission to the Gentiles.[9]

[1] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 246). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 246). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 444). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 9:1–43). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 444). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 252). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 444–445). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, pp. 252–253). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9] Polhill, J. B. (1992). Acts (Vol. 26, p. 256). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

MATTHEW 28:16-20
THE GREAT COMMISSION
16 The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[1]

• Galatians 2:20 - 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.[2]
• Ephesians 1:13 - In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.[3]
• Ephesians 2:6 - He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,[4]
• Philippians 1:6 - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.[5]
• Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:3

 
MARK 16:19-20
THE ASCENSION
19 So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

• Hebrews – Our high priest sat down.
• Not pacing… sat down.
• Refer to Luke 24:50

20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the accompanying signs.[6]

• That’s it… the end of the Gospels.

 
LUKE 24:44-49
44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

• Everything written in the Old Testament had to be true.

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,

• As it was written according to the Old Testament.

47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

• Jesus said, “I had to die, be buried and raised again.”
• Jesus then said, “Repentance & forgiveness is to come through me and you are to tell the world.”

48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

• Refer to Acts 1:3

 
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
50 Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.

• Gave them peace for the next 10 days… and longer.

51 And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven.

• Jesus ascended while blessing the people who didn’t get it.
• Refer to Acts 1:9

52 After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.[7]

• What do you think their joy was then as compared to 10 days later?
• Refer to Acts 2:1

 
ACTS 1:3-12
3 After he had suffered, he also presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
 
THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMISED
4 While he was with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

• “With” the Holy Spirit
• vs “in” the Holy Spirit

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• This doesn’t occur until Acts 2 – The birth of the Church.
• Nobody knows the end times.
• Refer to Mark 16:19

 
THE ASCENSION
9 After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

• A cloud lived in the holy of holies. (2 Chronicles 5)
• The glory of God ascended into heaven.

10 While he was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.

• Angels (always men in the Scripture)

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.”

• Refer to Luke 24:52

 
UNITED IN PRAYER
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away.[8]
 
ACTS 2:1-4
2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.[9]

• The Church is birthed!
• Refer to Mark 16:20

 
1 Corinthians 15:3-7
3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.[10]

• Acts 12:17 - Motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Tell these things to James and the brothers,” he said, and he left and went to another place.[11]
• Acts 15:13 - 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers and sisters, listen to me.[12]
• Acts 21:17-18 - 17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us warmly. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.[13]
• Galatians 1:18-19 - 18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to get to know Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19 But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.[14]

Refer to Luke 24:44

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 28:16–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 2:20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 1:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 1:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 16:19–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 24:44–53). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 1:3–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 2:1–4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:3–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 12:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 15:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 21:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 1:18–19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Jesus told the disciples to meet him in Galilee
• Their fear caused them to stay in Jerusalem
• They stayed there for a full week
• Once Jesus had appeared to Thomas they all traveled to Galilee
• Peter decides to go fishing with 6 other disciples
• They can’t catch any fish
• Jesus says, “Cast your net on the right side.”
• They caught 153 fish.
• Jesus feeds the disciples breakfast.
• Jesus is proving again He will provide for their needs and there is no need for them to return to their original careers.

 

• Peter is the one Jesus previously gave the “keys to the Kingdom” to.
• Peter is the one who when Jesus said the disciples would all scatter on His behalf that he would be the one to remain for Jesus.
• Jesus told Peter he would deny Him 3 times before the cock crowed twice.
• Peter was the first disciple that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection
• Refer to John 21:15

 
MATTHEW 28:16-20
16 The 11 disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them.

• Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:3

17 When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

• Refer to Mark 16:15

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.

• Telling them to disciple believers.
• “Go” – Participle meaning “As you go”
• Not an imperative verb with an exclamation point.
• This passage has been used over and over to manipulate people to go into missions.
• Refer to Mark 16:16

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[1]
 
MARK 16:15-18
15 Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

• Jesus commissions the disciples to all creation.
• Refer to Matthew 28:19

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

• What kind of baptism? 1) Water? 2) Spirit? 3) identify as follower of Jesus.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”[2]

• These things may have already happened but not every believer will have experienced them.
• I will definitely not go looking for them.
• Refer to Matthew 28:20

JOHN 21:15-25
JESUS’ THREEFOLD RESTORATION OF PETER
15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape – unconditionally) me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (Phileo love – He knew that is what he already displayed) you.”

• I love you conditionally because I obviously have already showed you this in my denial.
• Peter is being humble and with a broken spirit.

“Feed my lambs,” he told him.

• Take care of and teach my new followers.
• Young disciples. – Feed them milk.
• Peter was encouraged.

16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape – unconditionally) me?” (at all)

• Decreasing degrees of love.

“Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (Phileo love) you.”

• Peter responded by lowering the level of love in his answer by being honest and humble.

“Shepherd my sheep, (encourage believers – church)” he told him.

• Once again, Jesus is trying to encourage Peter by giving him more responsibility with His followers.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Phileo love) me?”
Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (Phileo love) you.”
“Feed my sheep, (mature believers - disciple)” Jesus said.

• What was the purpose of Jesus asking these 3 questions?
• Peter is the first to preach to the Jews, to the Samaritans and to the Gentiles.
• He was given the “Keys to the Kingdom”.
• Agape love – Unconditional love (marriage – for better or for worst) “I’ll love you even if you don’ love me back.”
• Phileo Love – Based on feelings and circumstances. Conditional… based upon how you feel at the time.

 

• Peter was going to be used because he showed his brokenness.
• There is a difference in teachers/disciplers who lead out of brokenness.
• There is something to say for one who has come through brokenness.
• Being broken hurts… it can humble.
• Humbleness leads to great leadership.
• Our society has a tendency to throw out people that blow it. No second chances in our society.
• I’m OK with failure… I run to failure.
• Brokenness can lead to a tender and humble heart.
• I will pursue and follow one with a tender and humbled heart.
• I don’t care about the quantity of one’s ministry as much as I do about the quality.
• What has been their journey and where is their heart?
• That is listening at a whole different level.
• Who cares if they wrote a book… or a hundred books?
• Who cares if they have multiple campuses and thousands of attendees?
• I want to know their heart… if they have come through brokenness and are humble.
• I love going on the MercyMe cruise… not because I am on stage… but because I get to deliver this Truth to a majority of people that hardly ever get to hear it.
• Book/CD signing day is pretty funny.

 
18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

• You are going to die for the Gospel.

19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.”

• The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - The tradition is that he died a martyr at Rome about 67 AD, when about 75 years old. His Lord and Master had predicted a violent death for him (Jn 21:18, 19), which it is thought came to pass by crucifixion under Nero. It is said that at his own desire he was crucified head downward, feeling himself unworthy to resemble his Master in his death.[3]
• “John penned his gospel around the late 80’s to early 90’s AD, meaning that Peter had already died by the time John wrote John 21:18. If tradition is correct, the “follow me” in John 21:19 was literally fulfilled for Peter followed Jesus to the cross.” – Bob Warren

 
CORRECTING A FALSE REPORT
20 So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them, the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
22 “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

• Don’t worry about him… stay focused on your own walk.
• Quit watching men and follow Jesus.

23 So this rumor spread to the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
 
EPILOGUE
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

• We know this through the Spirit of God.

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.[4]

• What the Gospels have recorded is only 75-80 days of Jesus’ ministry on earth.
• Refer to Matthew 28:16

 
1 Corinthians 15:1-7
1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep.

• At this point, no one had denied that Jesus had resurrected.
• Refer to Matthew 28:17

7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.[5]

[1] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 28:16–20). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mk 16:15–18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Gray, J. M. (1915). Peter, Simon. In J. Orr, J. L. Nuelsen, E. Y. Mullins, & M. O. Evans (Eds.), The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Vol. 1–5, p. 2349). Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 20:19–21:25). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Co 15:1–7). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Jesus has appeared 4 times already:

1. Mary Magdalene
2. The other women
3. 2 men on the Road to Emmaus (Luke 24)
4. Peter

• Refer to John 20:19

 
Mark 16:14
THE GREAT COMMISSION
14 Later he appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw him after he had risen.[1]

• How many of the disciples did Jesus rebuke?
• The Eleven is a general term used to describe the disciples.
• Thomas is not there… John & Peter already believed.
• 8 received the rebuking.
• Refer to Luke 24:38

 
Luke 24:36-43
THE REALITY OF THE RISEN JESUS
36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!”

• Saying what things?
• 10 are there… Thomas is not there.
• Who believe Jesus was raised?
  1) John believed at the sight of the grave clothes.
  2) Peter believed later when Jesus appeared to him.

37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.

• 8 of the 10
• Refer to Mark 16:14

38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

• They thought they were seeing a spirit… 8 of them.
• Flesh & bones – no mention of blood.
• Refer to John 20:20

41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence. [2]

• Refer to John 20:20b

 
John 20:19 – 21:25
THE DISCIPLES COMMISSIONED
19 When it was evening of that first day of the week (Sunday), the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

• The disciples are scared because their Savior/friend is gone and the Jews are looking for them.
• Jesus just appeared and did not come through the door.
• Refer to Luke 24:36

20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

• John records hands and side… Luke recorded hands and feet.
• Jesus showed them His hands, feet and side.
• Refer to Luke 24:41

So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

• The other 8 finally believe that Jesus has raised from the dead.

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

• 10 disciples present… not Thomas
• Jesus was sent to live His life by Another (the Father)

22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

• “On them” rather than “in them”
• This is different than Acts 2 where the Church was birthed.
• Jesus is giving them the ability to understand what He is going to say to them between now and His ascension.

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

• He is giving the disciples authority to judge sin.
• This is different than Church discipline.
• The ability to point out the difference of walking by the Spirit vs walking by the flesh.

 
THOMAS SEES AND BELIEVES
24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve 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, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

• Thomas is the only disciple who does not believe at this point.

26 A week later (after 8 days… Sunday) his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

• Not your peace… Jesus’ peace… John 14

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

• Jesus is truth... We are not teaching this generation that Jesus is the truth.
• They are finding it hard to believe.
• Therefore, they are not falling in love with Jesus.
• The more truth they know about Jesus the more they believe.
• We are teaching them morals and behavior and lists.
• Just teach them that Jesus was and is always will be real.
• Teach Jesus so the Spirit will prove Him real.
• The trust will come if they believe He is real.

 
THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOSPEL
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.

• John did not record all of Jesus’ miracles… only 7
• 7 is enough for you to believe

31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

• Live your life by another life… Jesus’ life in us.
• Colossians 3:4 – He is my life

JESUS’ THIRD APPEARANCE TO THE DISCIPLES
21 After this, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). He revealed himself in this way: (7th total appearance)

• They finally have the courage to leave Jerusalem and go to Galilee… after they believed.
• Thomas was keeping them from traveling because of His unbelief.

2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons (James & John), and two others of his disciples were together. (7 total)
3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

• Peter returned to his old vocation to meet his needs.
• “I’m not just going to sit around.”

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

• 7 men… including Peter, James & John who were found by Jesus as fishermen. (Luke 5:1-11)

4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”
“No,” they answered.
6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

• John recognized Jesus… even though Jesus appeared to Peter first and was even given the keys to the Kingdom.
•  Someone besides the lead guy recognized Jesus first.

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea. 8 Since they were not far from land (about a hundred yards away), the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.

• These were not the fish out of the net.

10 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. 11 So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

• No significance to the number of 153 other than John was so specific here to prove authenticity of his letter as compared to only including 7 miracles.

12 “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.[3]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 16:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 24:36–43). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 20:19–21:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Group of women left before the Sabbath ended.
• Those women purchased additional spices on the Sabbath to anoint Jesus’ body.
• Mary Magdalene got there first and saw the tomb was empty. She left to report to Peter & John
• The other women showed up at the tomb and saw an angel that told them Jesus was not there and they were to go tell the disciples to meet Jesus in Galilee.
• Refer to Luke 24:9 (back up to vs 1 for context)

 
MATTHEW 28:9-15
9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

• Who is them?
• 8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news.[1] – This is the other women.
• There is time between verse 8 & 9.

THE SOLDIERS BRIBED TO LIE
11 As they were on their way, some of the guards came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 After the priests had assembled with the elders and agreed on a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 and told them, “Say this, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him while we were sleeping.’

• The Jewish leaders invented a lie.
• How do they know it was the disciples if they guards were asleep?
• This lie is still believed today.
• This lie would cost the Roman soldiers their lives because the Roman seal was broken.

14 If this reaches the governor’s ears, we will deal with him and keep you out of trouble.”
 - If you lie… we will keep you safe.
15 They took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been spread among Jewish people to this day.[2]
 - Believed until the day Matthew penned his book
 - Still believed today.
 - Refer to Mark 16:12
 
Mark 16:9-13
THE LONGER ENDING OF MARK: APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN LORD
9 Early on the first day of the week, after he had risen, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons.

• He appeared to Mary Magdalen first… not the other women
• Refer to John 20:14

10 She went and reported to those who had been with him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.

• Refer to Matthew 28:9  

12 After this, he appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country.

• Not two of the 12 disciples
• Refer to Luke 24:13

13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.[3]

• They didn’t believe in a physical resurrection.
• Refer to Luke 24:33

 
Luke 24:1-35
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest.

• Refer to John 20:2 (Read vs 1 for context)

10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.

• They were telling these things but they were not together.

11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
 - They didn’t believe it…
 - The 9 didn’t believe the women because a women’s testimony in a court of law was not valid in 30 AD.
12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.
 - Peter was listening to Mary Magdalene… not the other 9.
When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
 - Amazed about the resurrection or that His body was stolen?
 - Refer to John 20:3
 - Peter still did not believe in a physical resurrection at this point. He thought the body was stolen as told by Mary Magdalene.
 - Refer to John 20:11
 
THE EMMAUS DISCIPLES
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked them.
So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened.

• 3rd day or 72 hours?
• Jewish perspective allows part of a day to be a whole day.
• It’s still the 3rd day in this conversation.

22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

• Isaiah spoke of a suffering servant.
• Jesus believed all the prophets and what they spoke.

26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.

• All the Scriptures were true

28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

• This was not communion.
• Jesus told His disciples at the Passover meal that He would not observe this communion until returns in the Messianic Kingdom.

31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight.

• It didn’t say they opened their eyes.
• God opened their eyes.
• It took them awhile to understand who Jesus was.
• Jesus told these men all the Scripture and took them time for it to be revealed to them that it was Jesus.

32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem.

• Refer to Mark 16:13

They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”

• The 1st apostle that Jesus appeared to was the apostle who denied Jesus 3 times.
• Refer to 1 Corinthians 15:1-5

35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.[4]
 
John 20:1-18
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. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

• She knew the stone was rolled away
• She knew Jesus was not in the tomb
• She believed someone stole Jesus’ body
• She went to report this to Peter & John
• Refer to Luke 24:10

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb.
 - Peter & John based upon what they heard from Mary Magdalene.
4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
 - John couldn’t believe it. In shock.
6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself.
 - John saw two separate piles of cloth.
 - Because linen was folded… He believed that Jesus was resurrected.
8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed.

• John actually believed at this point that Jesus had physically resurrected… rather than just spiritually.

9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

• Refer to Luke 24:12 (2nd time)

 
MARY MAGDALENE SEES THE RISEN LORD
11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet.
 - This is the first time Mary Magdalene had encountered the angels.
13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put him.”

• Refer to Mark 16:9

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”
Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.”

• When Jesus said Mary… Mary recognized Him.
• When Mary recognized the significance of Jesus calling her by name… she knew Jesus.

17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

• “Don’t touch Me.”
• He appeared to a woman
• He appeared to a woman who was formerly a harlot.
• 1) “Don’t cling to me” – Mary wanted to grab Him as not to let Him ascend into heaven.
• 2) “Don’t touch Me.” – Jesus had not yet ascended to heaven to offer His blood as a Holy Sacrifice and He would do this before He appears to the disciples.

 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her. [5]

• Refer to Mark 16:9-11 (2nd time)

 
1 Corinthians 15:5
1 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.[6]

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 28:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 28:9–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 16:9–13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 24:1–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 20:2–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:1–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

MATTHEW 27:61
61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.
 
THE CLOSELY GUARDED TOMB
62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guard.
 - Breaking a Roman seal would bring death.

• Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.”[1]
• Not 72 hours… but parts of 3 different days.
• Genesis 42:17-20 - So Joseph imprisoned them together for three days. 18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “I fear God—do this and you will live. 19 If you are honest, let one of you be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this. [2]
• 1 Samuel 30:12-13 - Then they gave him some pressed figs and two clusters of raisins. After he ate he revived, for he hadn’t eaten food or drunk water for three days and three nights.
• Then David said to him, “Who do you belong to? Where are you from?”

“I’m an Egyptian, the slave of an Amalekite man,” he said. “My master abandoned me when I got sick three days ago.[3]

• Matthew 16:21 - From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day.[4]
• Mark 8:31 - Then he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days.[5]
• Contradiction? – After?
• If a Jew considers part of a day a full day.

 
Proving the resurrection:

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time, he also appeared to me.[6]
• Refer to Mark 15:47

 
RESURRECTION MORNING
MATTHEW 28:1-8
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week (Sunday) was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.
 - Refer to Mark 16:1
2 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. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.
Refer to John 20:1
5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For 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 indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news.[7]

• The women (minus Mary Magdalene) to the other 9.
• Mary Magdalene went to Peter & John who were running to the grave with a different message.
• End

 
MARK 15:47–16:8
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were watching where he was laid.

• Refer to Luke 23:55

 
RESURRECTION MORNING
MARK 16
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him.

• Conclusion: Women were traveling to grave before the Sabbath was over but couldn’t purchase spices on the Sabbath.
• They bought spices on both Friday & Sunday.
• Luke 24:10 - Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.[8]
• Luke 23:56 - Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes (Friday).
• Refer to Matthew 28:2

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise.

• Mary Magdalene got there before the others because she got there in the dark.
• She saw the stone was rolled away and left.

3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?”

• They had not seen Mary Magdalene yet.

4 Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

• Refer to Luke 24:1
• Did Mary Magdalene do something to open this?
• Refer to Luke 24:2

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed (amazed).

• Angels are always referred to as male in the Bible.
• Possibly the same angel that
• Refer to Luke 24:3

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’”

• The angel told the women to tell the disciples to go to Galilee.
• This is the same instruction Jesus gave them before He died.
• Matthew 26:31 - Then Jesus said to them, “Tonight all of you will fall away because of me, for it is written:

I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.,

• But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”[9]

• Refer to Luke 24:4

8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.[10]
 
LUKE 23:55-24:8
55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes (Friday). And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

• They saw Jesus laying in the tomb
• They saw how His body was laid in the tomb
• They traveled back and bought spices
• Refer to Matthew 28:1

 
RESURRECTION MORNING
Luke 24
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

• Mary Magdalene has already been there.
• Refer to John 20:1 (2nd time)

2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

• The women without Mary Magdalene
• Refer to Mark 16:5

3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

• The women did not find the body… but they did find something.
• Refer to Matthew 28:5

4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes.
 - Mary Magdalene is not present.
 - She has no idea Jesus has been raised.
5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?”

• The women had come to bring spices believing that Jesus was still there.
• The angel alerted them to what Jesus had taught them.
• The women didn’t get it.
• They were supposed to go tell the disciples to go to Galilee… Did they go? No.
• Refer to Matthew 28:8

8 And they remembered his words. [11]
 
JOHN 20:1-2
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.

• It was dark and couldn’t see the Angel.
• Refer to Mark 16:2

2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”[12]

• She assumed Jesus’ body had been stolen.

Refer to Mark 16:3 (2nd time)

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 12:40). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 42:17–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Sa 30:12–13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 16:21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 8:31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 15:3–8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 27:61–28:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 24:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 26:31–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 15:47–16:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 23:55–24:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 20:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.