The True Easter Story: The Stone Was Rolled Away

Matthew 28:6 - He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!

This page is a "conversation starter" for your children and grandchildren.

Q: Why did the angel roll away the stone from Jesus' tomb?
      a) To let Jesus out.
      b) To let the women see that the Tomb was empty.

The correct answer is "b." The angel rolled the stone away so the women could see that the tomb was empty. It’s easy for a child to assume that the angel rolled the stone away so that Jesus could come out. But Jesus didn't need any help. He wasn't trapped inside the tomb, waiting to be set free. He was already out. Now you can read to your children or grandchildren beginning in Matthew 28:1 from the NIrV, an easy-to-understand children's translation.

1 The Sabbath day was now over. It was dawn on the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. The angel went to the tomb. He rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His body shone like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. 7 Go quickly! Tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead. He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”