¶ On the morrow after the saboth, early in the morning, they came unto the tomb and brought the odours which they had prepared, and other women with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and went in: but found not the body of the Lord Iesu. And it happened, as they were amazed thereat: lo two men stood by them, in shining vestures. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth: they said to 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 with you in Galile, saying: that 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 other. It was Mary Magdalene and Ioanna, and Mary Iacobi, And other that were with them, which told these things unto the Apostles, and their words seemed unto them feigned things, neither believed they them. Then arose Peter and ran unto the sepulchre, and stooped in, And saw the linen clothes laid by themself. And departed wondering in himself at that which had happened.
¶ And behold, two of them went that same day to a town, which was from Ierusalem about three score furlongs, called Emaus: and they talked together of all these things that had happened. And it chanced, as they communed together, and reasoned, that Iesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden, that they could not know him. And he said unto them: What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them named Cleopas, answered, and said unto him: art thou only a stranger in Ierusalem, and hast not known the things which have chanced therein in these days? To whom he said: what things? And they said unto him: of Iesus of Nazareth which was a prophet, mighty in deed, and word, before God, and all the people. And how the high priests, and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death: and have crucified him. We trusted that it should have been he that should have delivered Israhell. And as touching all these things, today is even the third day, that they were done.
¶ Yea and certain women also of our company made us astonied, which came early unto the sepulchre, and found not his body. And came saying, that they had seen visions of angels which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us, went their way to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
¶ And he said unto them: O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And he began at Moses, and at all the prophets, and interpreted unto them, in all scriptures which were written of him. And they drew nye unto the town which they went to. And he made, as though he would have gone further. And constrained him, saying: Abide with us for it draweth towards night, and the day is far passed. And he went in to tarry with them.
¶ And it came to pass as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake it and gave it unto them. And their eyes were opened. And they knew him. And he vanished out of their sight, and they said between themselves: did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned again to Ierusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying: The Lord is risen in deed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things was done in the way, and how they knew him, by the breaking of bread.
¶ As they thus spake, Iesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: peace be with you. And they were abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them: Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet. For it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands, and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them: Have ye here any meat? and they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and ate it before them.
¶ And he said unto them: These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalmes. Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures, and said unto them: Thus is it written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise again from death the third day. And that repentance, and remission of sins, should be preached in his name among all nations. And the beginning must be at Ierusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I will send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Ierusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
¶ And he led them out into Bethany, and lift up his hands, and blest them. And it came to pass, as he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Ierusalem with great joy. And were continually in the temple, praising, and lauding God.
Here endeth the gospell off Sanct Luke.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526