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Easter Season · Year A

Resurrection of the Lord

April 5, 2026

Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene ("Noli me tangere"), Southern Netherlandish (possibly Brussels)
Christ Appearing to Mary Magdalene ("Noli me tangere"), Southern Netherlandish (possibly Brussels), 1485–1500Art Institute of Chicago
A Netherlandish panel of the garden meeting, with Christ carrying a spade because she took him for the gardener.Do not hold on to me: the reading is a recognition that is immediately asked to let go.Art Institute of ChicagoFounded in 1879 as both a museum and a school, and the home of American Gothic and of a famous Impressionist collection.Art Institute of Chicago
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelJohn 20:1-18Jn 20:1-18 orMatt. 28:1-10Mt 28:1-10
EpistleCol. 3:1-4Col 3:1-4 orActs 10:34-43
Old TestamentActs 10:34-43 orJer. 31:1-6Jer 31:1-6
PsalterPs. 118:1-2, 14-24Ps 118:1-2, 14-24

Overview & Insights

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’” (John 20:16)

John’s Easter narrative is built from three visits to one tomb. Mary Magdalene comes while it is still dark, sees the stone moved and reports a theft rather than a resurrection (v. 2). The two disciples run, and the beloved disciple, arriving first and entering second, is said to believe on the evidence of the grave cloths alone (v. 8), with the rolled head cloth described in a detail no other Gospel preserves. Recognition then returns to Mary, and it comes by voice rather than by sight, a single name spoken (v. 16), which answers the shepherd’s promise of 10:3. The instruction not to hold on to him (v. 17) turns her commission outward and introduces this Gospel’s distinctive account of an ascent still under way. The alternative from Matthew 28:1-10 substitutes an earthquake, an angel, and a message given on the road.

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Take it further: John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10

Commentary

Commentary on John 20:1-18Commentary on Jn 20:1-18 workingpreacher.org

Lutheran voice on Mary's Easter-morning encounter with the risen Jesus.

John 20:1-18: While It Was Still DarkJn 20:1-18: While It Was Still Dark cepreaching.org

Reformed homiletical read on John's understated, non-dramatic resurrection narrative.

Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord loyolapress.com

Catholic Sunday Connection walkthrough of the Easter Day Gospel for the whole service.

I Have Seen the Lord, Easter Day (A) episcopalchurch.org

Anglican/Episcopal Sermons That Work homily on Mary Magdalene's testimony at the tomb.

John 20 - The Resurrection of Jesus ChristJn 20 - The Resurrection of Jesus Christ enduringword.com

Verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the empty-tomb account.

Background & Word Study

Seeing Jesus through a Veil of Tears leftbehindandlovingit.blogspot.com

D. Mark Davis's Greek-text parsing of Mary's recognition scene in John 20.

Gospel of John Summary (Part 2)Gospel of Jn Summary (Part 2) bibleproject.com

Overview video tracing John 13-21's literary design through to the resurrection.

The Church Fathers

John 20Jn 20 catenabible.com

Patristic catena of comments from the church fathers on the resurrection chapter.

Sermons & Reflections

Noli Me Tangere: Easter Sunday journeywithjesus.net

Guest lectionary essay reflecting on Mary's encounter with the risen Christ.

Worship & Prayers

Easter Sunday, Year A - Liturgical Resources umcdiscipleship.org

Methodist worship-planning liturgy set for Easter Day.

Podcast

#1078: Resurrection of Our Lord - April 5, 2026 workingpreacher.org

Sermon Brainwave: Luther Seminary faculty discuss preaching the Easter Gospel.

Art & Music

Resurrection of the Lord, Year A - Texts & Art lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu

Vanderbilt's per-Sunday gallery of artwork keyed to the Easter Day texts.

Study Hub

Easter Day, Year A textweek.com

Hub of study and worship links for all of Easter Day's readings.

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