The greatest message ever spoken was first preached—not from pulpits or platforms—but from heavenly messengers, whispered to women at a tomb, and then boldly declared by Jesus Himself. This is the story of how the gospel—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—was first proclaimed, and who God chose to carry its glorious truth to the world.
1. Angels: Heaven’s First Gospel Preachers
Before any human voice cried “He is risen,” angels preached it first. They proclaimed the good news with holy clarity and divine authority:
- Matthew 28:5–7 — “Do not be afraid… He is not here, for he has risen… Go quickly and tell his disciples.”
- Mark 16:5–7 — “You seek Jesus… He has risen… go, tell his disciples and Peter.”
- Luke 24:4–7 — “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”
- Acts 1:10–11 — “This Jesus… will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.”
Heaven delivered the first gospel sermon: Jesus has conquered death, and He is coming again.
2. Women: The First Human Voices of the Resurrection
God honored women with the first announcement of the risen Christ. The angel’s command to “go and tell” became a holy commission. These women obeyed without hesitation, becoming the first human gospel preachers.
“At least five women—including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and two others named Mary—were the first to hear and proclaim the resurrection, though Scripture suggests there were likely more.”
- Mary Magdalene — “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)
- Mary the mother of James — One of the women who told the apostles (Luke 24:10)
- Salome — Among the first at the tomb (Mark 16:1)
- Joanna — Part of the group who shared the resurrection report
- “Other women with them” — Luke 24:10 notes there were more unnamed women faithful to tell the truth
They carried the most important news ever given—and they carried it faithfully.
3. Jesus: The Gospel Preached from His Own Lips
Before He ever went to the cross, Jesus clearly taught His disciples what was to come: His suffering, His death, His burial, and His resurrection. After His resurrection, He confirmed it all had happened exactly as Scripture foretold.
Before the Cross
- Matthew 16:21 — “He must go… be killed… and on the third day be raised.”
- Matthew 17:22–23 — “They will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.”
- Matthew 20:18–19 — “Delivered… crucified… raised on the third day.”
- John 2:19–21 — “Destroy this temple… in three days I will raise it up.”
- Matthew 12:40 — “As Jonah… so will the Son of Man be three days and nights in the heart of the earth.”
- John 10:17–18 — “I lay down my life that I may take it up again.”
After the Resurrection
- Luke 24:6–7 — “Remember how He told you…”
- Luke 24:25–27 — “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things?”
- Luke 24:44–47 — “That the Christ should suffer… and on the third day rise… and repentance for forgiveness should be proclaimed.”
- Acts 1:3 — “He presented Himself alive… speaking about the kingdom of God.”
Jesus preached the gospel because He is the gospel.
4. The First Man to Preach the Gospel After the Resurrection: Peter
On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and declared the full message of the gospel to a crowd in Jerusalem:
- Acts 2:22–24 — “This Jesus… you crucified… God raised Him up.”
- Acts 2:36 — “God has made Him both Lord and Christ.”
- Acts 2:38 — “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.”
- Acts 2:41 — “So those who received his word were baptized… about three thousand souls.”
Peter’s sermon reveals what Jesus did, why He did it, and what we must do in response. This is the gospel still preached today.
What About You?
The gospel began with angels. It was passed to women. It was confirmed by Jesus. It was proclaimed by men like Peter. And now—it has come to you.
Will you believe it? Will you receive the risen Christ? Will you proclaim it to others like they did?
Just as they looked at the cross, the tomb, and the sky—we look to our Savior, our Victor, and our returning King. May our lips never be silent of the good news.
“He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.” – Matthew 28:6