Observation

This question was straightforward and it attracted many candidates. Many of them could not give a proper narrative of what transpired between the women and the angels. Majority of the candidates were also unable to mention the names of the women involved. This was the major weakness recorded in this question. The part b was better answered as candidates used the everyday experience of how women contribute to the growth and progress of the church. A detailed way candidates were expected to have answered the part a is;

1. According to the Synoptic gospels, women were the first to go to the tomb of Jesus.
2. Matthew wrote that the women went to the tomb after the Sabbath was fully completed. Mark said it was after the Sabbath had past and very early in the morning at the rising of the sun.
3. The women were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome. Luke added Joana, the wife of Chuza.
4. According to Mark, these four women brought sweet spices to anoint the body of Jesus for further embalming.
5. While on their way, the women wondered who would help them roll away the rock at the entrance of the tomb.
6. Matthew however, reported that there was a great earthquake before the women got there.
7. An angel of the Lord from heaven rolled back the stone and sat upon it.
8. For fear of the angel, the guards were frightened and became like dead men.
9. The angel told the women not to be afraid, for Jesus had risen and they should come and see where he was laid.
10. The angel told them to go quickly and tell the disciples that he had arisen and was going to Galilee where they would meet him.
11. Matthew did not say that the angel appeared to the women but only to the guards.
12. According to Mark, when the women entered the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right side, in a white robe and when they went in, they did not find the body of Jesus thus, they were perplexed.
13. The women then saw the vision of the angel who gave them information regarding the resurrection of Christ.
14. They were asked to inform the disciples. Mark made emphasis to Peter.
15. The women left quickly from the tomb with awe and ran to tell the disciples that Jesus had arisen.
16. But before then, Jesus appeared to them saluting them, ‘Hail’ as they took hold of his feet and worshipped him.