41-00
God Raises Jesus from the Dead
This title can also be translated as: “About how God made Jesus alive again” or “How did God make Jesus alive again?”
41-01
After the soldiers crucified Jesus
The connecting word After introduces a sequence of events. The Jewish leaders spoke to Pilate after he had had Jesus crucified. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])
That liar, Jesus, said
This could also be translated as: “That man, Jesus, lied and said.” They refused to believe that Jesus told the truth about being the Son of God.
rise from the dead
This could mean come back to life or become alive again.
If they do, they will say he has risen from the dead
The connecting word If introduces a hypothetical conditional relationship. The Jewish leaders thought that the disciples would only be able to say Jesus had risen from the dead if they were able to steal his body. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical/01.md]])
41-02
Pilate said, “Take some soldiers and guard the tomb as well as you can.”
This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “Pilate told them to take some soldiers and guard the tomb as well as they could.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotations/01.md]])
they placed
This could mean the religious leaders and the soldiers placed.
a seal on the stone
They put a soft material like clay or wax between the stone and the tomb and marked it with an official seal. If anyone moved the stone, the material would break and show that someone had entered the tomb. This could also be translated as: “a mark on the stone to forbid people from moving it.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])
41-03
No one could work on the Sabbath day
The Sabbath day rules did not permit a Jew to walk very far or to do any other kind of work.
put more spices on his body
It was the custom of the Jews to wash the body and then wrap it with strong, pleasant smelling spices to prevent the dead body from smelling bad so quickly. This was also a sign of honor and devotion. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-explicit/01.md]])
spices
This refers to sweet-smelling spices that were placed on a dead body to cover the bad smell. This can also be translated as: “sweet-smelling spices” or “sweet-smelling oils” or “sweet-smelling plants.”
41-04
Before the women arrived, there was a great earthquake at the tomb
The connecting word Before introduces a sequential clause. First there was the earthquake and appearance of the angel, and then the women arrived at the tomb. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential/01.md]])
there was a great earthquake
This could also be translated as: “there was a violent earthquake” or “there was a forceful shaking of the ground.” Some languages may prefer to reword this as: “the ground began to shake violently.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-unknown/01.md]])
was shining as brightly as lightning
This could mean whose appearance was as bright as lightning.
fell to the ground like dead men
This is a simile that means the soldiers fell down and did not move, just like dead men do not move. They probably had fainted from fright. To make this clear, this could be translated as: “suddenly fell to the ground and did not move.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-simile/01.md]])
41-05
When the women arrived at the tomb, the angel told them
The word When introduces a simultaneous clause. The two events happened at the same time, the women arrived at the tomb and the angel spoke to them. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous/01.md]])
Do not be afraid
This could mean Stop being afraid. An angel shining like lightning was a frightening sight!
He has risen from the dead
This could be translated as: “He has come back to life.”
His body was not there!
This exclamation emphasizes how surprised they were that the body of Jesus was no longer in the tomb. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-exclamations/01.md]])
41-06
“Go and tell the disciples, ‘Jesus has risen from the dead and he will go to Galilee ahead of you.’”
This is a quotation within a quotation. The entire quotation can be restated so that this portion is an indirect quotation: “Go and tell the disciples that Jesus has risen from the dead and he will go to Galilee ahead of you.” (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-quotesinquotes/01.md]])
Go and tell the disciples
This is a command that the angel is giving to the women.
from the dead
This could mean from among all those who have died. This expression describes all dead people together in the underworld. To rise from among them speaks of becoming alive again. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-nominaladj/01.md]])
he will go to Galilee ahead of you
This could mean he will meet you in Galilee or he will be in Galilee when you get there. You here is plural, including the apostles and other disciples. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-youdual/01.md]])
41-07
the good news
This can also be translated as: “the good news that Jesus was alive again.” This good news refers to the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead.
41-08
Do not be afraid. Go and tell my disciples
These are commands that Jesus is giving to the women.
bowed down at his feet
They did this symbolic action to honor Jesus as they would expect to do in the presence of a king. (See: [[https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-symaction/01.md]])
will see me
This could mean will meet me or can meet with me.
A Bible story from
These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.