Chapter 27—Go Tell My Disciples
Luke, in his account of the Saviour’s burial, speaks of the women
who were with Him at His crucifixion, and says:
“They returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the
Sabbath day according to the commandment.”
Luke 23:56
.
The Saviour was buried on Friday, the sixth day of the week. The
women prepared spices and ointments with which to embalm their
Lord, and laid them aside, until the Sabbath was past. Not even the
work of embalming the body of Jesus would they do upon the Sabbath
day.
“And when the Sabbath was past, ... very early in the morning the
first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the
sun.”
Mark 16:1, 2
.
As they neared the garden, they were surprised to see the heavens
beautifully lighted up, and to feel the earth trembling beneath their
feet. They hastened to the tomb, and were still more astonished to
find that the stone was rolled away, and that the Roman guard was not
there.
[158]
[159]
Mary Magdalene had been the first to reach the place. Seeing that
the stone was removed, she hurried away to tell the disciples. When
the other women came up, they noticed a light shining about the tomb,
and looking in, saw that it was empty.
As they lingered about the place, they suddenly beheld a young
man in shining garments sitting by the tomb. It was the angel who had
rolled away the stone. In fear they turned to flee, but the angel said:
“Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where
the Lord lay.
“And 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.”
Matthew 28:5-7
.
As the women looked again into the tomb, they saw another shining
angel, who inquired of them:
89