7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” (Matthew 28:7–8 (ESV)
7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” (Mark 16:7–8 (ESV)
8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.” (Luke 24:8–11 (ESV)
All three Synoptic Gospels parallel each other concerning the events on Resurrection Sunday. While each writer provides selective, insightful information, they do not contradict each other in telling the wonderful news that Jesus Christ is alive. What are some key truths contained in today’s texts?
First, the angel commanded the women to quickly go and tell Jesus’ disciples that He had risen from the dead. Mark indicated the angel specifically mentioned Peter to be a recipient of this good news. Perhaps this was because Peter had denied the Lord three times and this directive was meant to encourage him.
Second, he told the women Jesus was going before them to the region of Galilee. The angel said they would see Jesus in that area. The angel emphasized the truth of his message when he said further, “See, I have told you.” He had done the Lord’s will and work. The time now came for the women to be obediently responsible and do the same.
“The marvelous message must be imparted. It must be proclaimed everywhere by those who at one time were, and soon will again be, The Twelve. Therefore they themselves must hear the glad news. They must get to know that Christ’s repeated prediction, “I am going to rise again on the third day” has now become a fact. Not only that, but for further confirmation of their faith, they must be told that the promise of Matt. 26:32, “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee” is also going to be fulfilled. It is there, in the very region (4:15, 16) where death and darkness once ruled supreme, but where the Light of the world had performed most of his work, that he again will meet with his disciples. Galilee! That region of rejection, but also of acceptance; of hardship, but also of joy; of unbelief, but also of faith, must rejoice once more,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
Third, the women were filled, as you might suspect, with a flurry of conflicting emotions. Matthew and Mark stated they trembled and were astonished. They were also joyful. They did not say anything to anyone but immediately ran and found the eleven apostles. Luke explained the women told the eleven apostles and the rest of the disciples what they saw and heard from the angel. However, the apostles and disciples did not believe the women. They thought what they said were idle tales.
“These women did not walk. They ran to tell the tidings. Luke 24:9 reports that the women fulfilled their mission. How was their report received by the apostles? Answer: it was not believed (Luke 24:10, 11). It began to spread, but by and large was not accepted as true (Mark 16:13; Luke 24:22–25). However, though the disbelief that was going to greet the women everywhere would not be pleasant, their present joy, great as it was, was going to become even greater,” continues Dr. Hendriksen.
“Objection: But Jesus’ first appearance to his disciples did not occur in Galilee but in Jerusalem. These men did not have to wait until they had arrived at last in Galilee, but were going to see the risen Savior this very evening.” Does this mean the Bible contains error and contradiction?”
“Answer: Not at all. This simply shows that God—or the risen Savior—is even better than his promises. But what about Peter, who had bragged in such unrestrained language about his loyalty, but had broken his promises so shamefully, must he also be told? “Yes,” says “the young man,” that is, the angel, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7),” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 