Commentaries:
<< Matthew 27:66 Matthew 28:2 >>
Matthew 28:1
By comparing these four accounts (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1), it is evident that Mary Magdalene and the other women arrived at the tomb early in the morning on Sunday morning, while it was still dark. When they arrived, they saw that the stone had already been rolled back. None of these verses specify when Christ arose from the dead, but we do know that He left the tomb before the women arrived. It is plain that the women arrived early in the morning on the first day of the week, and first saw the resurrected Christ at that time. But these accounts do not say that was when Christ arose.
Matthew 28:1 and Mark 16:1-2 also reiterate that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week.
David C. Grabbe
Related Topics: After Three Days | Christ's Resurrection not On Sunday | Jesus Christ's Resurrection | Resurrection of Christ | Sabbath | Sabbath as Seventh Day | Sunday WorshipOther Forerunner Commentary entries containing Matthew 28:1:
Matthew 28:1
Matthew 28:1
Matthew 28:1
Mark 16:2
Mark 16:2
Luke 24:1
Luke 24:1
John 20:1
John 20:1
<< Matthew 27:66 Matthew 28:2 >>
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What Does Matthew 28:1 Mean?
Matthew 28:1 describes Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arriving at the tomb early on the first day of the week, as dawn was breaking, after the Sabbath. Parallel accounts in Mark, Luke, and John confirm this timing, noting the women found the tomb already empty with the stone rolled back. The Greek phrase "mia sabbaton," translated as "first day of the week," is plural, indicating "first of the weeks," pointing to Wavesheaf Day, the start of the count to Pentecost. This day, following the weekly Sabbath, holds significance as the time of Christ's appearance, though none of the accounts specify the exact moment of His resurrection.