the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

IN

CXCIV.

The women come to the sepulchre.

N the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Salome, to see the sepulchre, and brought sweet spices that they might anoint him. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? for it was very great.

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away.

Then Mary Magdalene ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

And the women came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun, and an angel sat upon the stone; and said unto the women, 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 entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted. And he said unto them, Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen ; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way quickly, and tell his disciples and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. Lo, I have told you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; neither said they anything to any man, for they were afraid, and did run to bring his disciples word.

CXCV.

Christ appears to Mary Magdalene.

MARY MAGDALENE having told Peter and

that other disciple, they went forth and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together; and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the two disciples went away again unto their own home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, and saw two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know

not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that had been with him, as they mourned and wept, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

CXCVI.

Christ appears to the women.

AND as the women went to tell his disciples, be

hold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail! And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto him, Be not afraid; go

tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. And the women also which came with him from Galilee, having prepared spices and ointments, and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment, came unto the sepulchre very early in the morning, upon the first day of the week, bringing the spices which they had prepared; and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre; and they entered in; and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here; but is risen. Remember how he spake unto you, when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified; and the third day rise again.

And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.