Harmony of the Gospels [Guard Set at the Tomb & Resurrection]

Fr. Matthias Shehad continues his Harmony of the Gospels Bible study by exploring the events at the tomb during Bright Saturday and Resurrection Sunday. He discusses the significance of Christ’s descent into Hades as a liberator, not condemned like others, and explains the guards placed by the Pharisees to prevent the disciples from stealing Jesus’ body. Fr. Matthias examines the accounts of the women visiting the empty tomb, their encounter with the angel—identified as Archangel Michael—and the initial disbelief of the disciples. He highlights the resurrection appearances, including Mary Magdalene’s encounter with Jesus and the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, emphasizing how Jesus opened the scriptures to reveal the fulfillment of prophecy. The study reflects on faith’s role in accepting the resurrection and warns against counterfeit beliefs, calling for alignment with Scripture over popular tradition.