The Women Visit the Tomb

Matthew 28:1-20

The Big Idea

God’s story can begin in a quiet moment. These women came to see the tomb, and soon they would hear joyful good news about Jesus.

The Bible Story

Jesus Is Risen

Matthew 28:1 says that, after the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see Jesus’ tomb. This is the opening beat of Matthew’s account of Jesus’ resurrection. At this moment, the women are near the sealed tomb; the angel, the earthquake, and the message that Jesus has risen come in the verses that follow. Matthew identifies the second woman only as “the other Mary.” The account should remain faithful to Matthew and should not import details from other Gospel accounts. The women’s arrival begins a story about the empty tomb, joyful good news, and witness. Later in the passage, they are instructed to tell the disciples, Jesus meets them, and the disciples receive a commission in Galilee. The focus here, however, is simply the women coming at dawn to see the tomb.

Themes

Jesus is risen Jesus’ authority Jesus’ continuing presence Joyful good news Making disciples among all nations The empty tomb Witness and proclamation

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrive at Jesus’ tomb at dawn after the Sabbath. Show the two women clearly distinguished by clothing and appearance, standing near the sealed tomb in a calm morning setting.

Talk together

Talk about it

Who came to see Jesus’ tomb?
What time of day did they arrive?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to introduce Matthew 28:1 before reading the following verses. Invite children to notice the dawn setting, the two women, and the stone. Remind them that this illustration shows only the opening scene, so do not add the angel or the empty-tomb announcement yet. It works well for family reading, Sunday school, classroom discussion, or homeschool Bible study.

Source note