# The Resurrection of Jesus explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Frances Ellen Watkins Harper.

## What happens

This chapter recounts the resurrection of Jesus Christ, focusing on the despair of the disciples after the crucifixion, Mary's discovery of the empty tomb, her encounter with the risen Jesus, and the transformation of the disciples from timid men into bold heroes who carry the message of the resurrection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope and Redemption

The resurrection transforms despair into hope, as the disciples move from mourning to bold proclamation of the risen Christ.

### Faith and Divine Justice

The chapter emphasizes faith in the resurrection as the vindication of Jesus' sacrifice and the triumph over death.

## Character check-ins

### Christ

Jesus is crucified, buried, and resurrected. He appears first to Mary, then to the disciples, bringing comfort and commissioning them.

### Mary

Mary seeks Jesus' body at the tomb, finds it empty, and is the first to witness the risen Christ, whom she initially mistakes for a gardener.

### Peter

Peter is depicted mourning his denial of Jesus during the trial, filled with anguish and disappointment.

### The People

The disciples are portrayed as mourning, fearful, and later transformed into heroes after witnessing the risen Christ.

## Key lines

> It was done, the deed of horror; Christ had died upon the cross, And within an upper chamber The disciples mourned their loss.

The terrible act was completed; Christ was crucified, and the disciples grieved in a room upstairs.

_Sets the scene of sorrow and loss after the crucifixion._

> But, behold, I miss his body. And I know not where he’s laid.

Look, I cannot find his body, and I do not know where they have placed him.

_Mary expresses confusion and grief at the empty tomb._

> Timid men were changed to heroes, Weakness turned to wondrous might. And the cross became their standard, Luminous with love and light.

Fearful men became courageous, weakness was transformed into incredible strength, and the cross became their emblem, shining with love and light.

_Describes the transformative power of the resurrection on the disciples._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters/the-resurrection-of-jesus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_7_se/chapters