Lesson 4: The Empty Tomb
Bible Passage
John 20:1-9
The Empty Tomb
20
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw
that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the
other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t
know where they have put him!”
3
So Peter and the other disciple (John) started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple
outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there
but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw
the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth
was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb
first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus
had to rise from the dead.)
Prayer
PRAYER BASED ON TODAY'S GOSPEL
EASTER SUNDAY 4/4/21 (Jn. 20:1-9)
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the graces of true joy and peace that flow from the truth about your
resurrection. In today's Gospel - Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John saw the empty tomb. At first, your
disciples were anxious about the disappearance of your lifeless body in the tomb. But when you
appeared to them as the Risen Lord, they began to believe and their hearts were filled with joy and
peace. You appeared to them and said: “Peace be with you” (Lk. 24:36). Lord, may we continue to
experience true joy and peace as we also do our best to hold on to a renewed life in your Easter grace.
May we persevere in a life of true peace, joy and fidelity with your providential care in these trying
times. Have mercy on us all. Bless too our family and dear friends. We glorify you in the love of the
Blessed Mother. AMEN....ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!
Video
The burial and empty tomb.wmv
After this Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus' body. Joseph was
a follower of Jesus but in secret because he was afraid of the Jewish authorities. Pilate told him he could hem
the body so Joseph went and took it away. Nicodemus, who had first had gone to see Jesus at night, went
with Joseph. Taking with him about 100 pounds of spices; a mixture of myrrh and aloes. The two men took
Jesus body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices according to the Jewish custom of preparing a body
for burial. There was the garden in the place where Jesus had been put to death and in it, there was anew
tomb where no one had ever been buried.
Since it was the day before the Sabbath and because the tomb was close by, they placed Jesus' body there.
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone
had been taken away from the entrance. She went running to Simon Peter and the other disciple whom
Jesus loved. "They have taken the Lord from the tomb", said Mary Magdalene. "We don't know where they
have put it".
Then Peter and the other disciple went to the tomb. The two of them were running but the other disciple ran
faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and saw the linen cloths but he did not go in.
Behind him came Simon Peter and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there and
the cloth which had been around Jesus head. It was not lying with the linen cloths but was rolled up by itself.
Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in. He saw and believed. They still did not
understand the scripture which said that: He must rise from death. Then the disciples went back home.
Mary stood crying outside the tomb. While she was still crying, she bent over and looked in the tomb and
saw two angels there dressed in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been: one at the head and the
other at the feet. "Woman, why are you crying?", they asked her. "They have taken my Lord away and I do
not know where they have put him". Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there but she didn't
know that it was Jesus. "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it that you were looking for?". She thought he
was the gardener so she said to him: "You took him away, sir. Tell me where you have put him and I will go
get him."
"Mary", Jesus said. She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, "Rabbi". This means teacher. "Do not hold on
to me. Because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them: I am
returning to him who is my father and their father. My God and their God."
John Chapter 20
Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and related to him what he had told
her. It was late that Sunday evening and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors because
they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Then Jesus came, stood among them. "Peace be with you", after
saying this he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. Jesus
said to them again, "Peace be with you as the father sent me so I send you". Then he breathed on them,
"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not
forgiven."
One of the 12 disciples, Thomas, called the twin was not with them when Jesus came so the other disciples
told him "we have seen the Lord". "Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those
scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe," Thomas said.
A week later the disciples were together again indoors and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked
but Jesus came and stood among them. "Peace me with you put your finger here and look at my hands. Then
reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting and believe."
"My Lord and my God."
"Do you believe? Because you see me? I'll have you those who believe without seeing me"
In his disciples presence, Jesus performed many other miraculous which are not written down in this book
but these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and the
through your faith in Him, you may have life
Notes:

At the foot of the Cross: it was John, Mary (mother of Jesus), Mary’s sister (Salome), Mary (wife
of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.

Mary Magdalene: "Seven demons". She used to be rich but felt empty. She followed Jesus
because she wants a new life.

John is the youngest apostle and he is educated; from a family of doctors. He is like the
secretary; he is very dedicated to write in the Bible. Peter is the leader.

Jesus was crucified in the wrist and not the palm, according to science.