Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrasing "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" highlights the transition between two distinct periods—the Sabbath's completion and the dawn of the new week. This specific timing emphasizes that their actions are occurring precisely at the cusp of a new era, marking the moment death's reign is definitively broken by resurrection.
This verse opens the account of the resurrection, occurring immediately after the Sabbath day has concluded and as the first day of the week is dawning. Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary are heading to Jesus' tomb, intending to see it. Their visit is set against the backdrop of Jesus' recent crucifixion and burial, with the women still processing their grief and likely unaware of the supernatural events that have already occurred.
Why did these devoted followers go to the tomb at such an odd hour? It wasn't just to pay respects; it was a mix of lingering sorrow and a flicker of anticipation.
The verse pinpoints a specific, transitional moment: 'In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.' This wasn't just any early morning.
The End of an Era:
The Sabbath was a day of rest, a sacred pause in the Jewish week. Its end marked the conclusion of a period of deep mourning and the strict observance of the law. These women had followed the law, resting on the Sabbath as commanded, but their hearts were far from at rest.
The Dawn of a New Beginning:
The phrase 'as it began to dawn' is crucial. It signifies the very cusp of a new day, the first day of the week – the day the Lord would conquer death. Their arrival at this specific time shows a longing, perhaps even a subconscious hope, to see the One who had brought them so much life and light, even as they prepared for the final rites of death.
These women weren't just casual observers; they were driven by a profound love. But their actions reveal something about their understanding—or misunderstanding—of what was about to happen.
Matthew names two specific women: Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary.' Their presence at the tomb wasn't incidental; it speaks volumes about their loyalty and their mission.
A Mission of Love:
These were not faint-hearted followers. Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, and the other Mary (likely Mary, the mother of James and Joses), were deeply devoted. They came with a specific purpose: 'to see the tomb.' While Matthew doesn't explicitly state their intent to anoint Jesus' body, the other Gospels (Mark and Luke) clarify they brought spices and ointments for this very reason.
Faith Still Dawning:
This action—preparing to anoint a deceased body—reveals that their faith in Jesus' resurrection, though present, was still in its infancy. They remembered His teachings, but the full reality of His claims about rising again hadn't yet broken through their sorrow and the finality of the cross. They were acting out of love and remembrance for a dead friend, not yet fully grasping that He was alive.
Understand the original words
shabbat · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day of the week, set apart as a holy day of rest in the Mosaic Law, commemorating God’s rest after creation and the deliverance from Egypt.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; in a biblical context, it often serves as a symbol of death and, in the case of Jesus, the site of the transition from death to resurrection.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion and Burial
Jesus is crucified on Passover day and buried in a borrowed tomb before sunset on Friday, the day of preparation.
c. AD 30
Sabbath Observance
The women who followed Jesus rest on the Sabbath day, as required by Jewish law, unable to prepare Jesus' body further.
c. AD 30, Dawn— this verse
Women Visit the Tomb
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, along with other women, go to the tomb early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus' body, finding the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. AD 30
Angelic Announcement
Angels at the tomb inform the women that Jesus has risen, a message they are commissioned to share with the disciples.
c. AD 30
Roman Soldiers Bribed
The Jewish authorities bribe the Roman guards to spread a false story that Jesus' body was stolen by his disciples.
This passage provides a complementary perspective, highlighting that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb 'while it was still dark,' emphasizing the early, pre-dawn hour mentioned in Matthew and underscoring the women's eagerness and devotion.
Mark 16:1-2Mark's account names additional women who accompanied Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, and explicitly states their intention was to anoint Jesus' body with spices, adding detail to their purpose beyond simply 'to see the tomb'.
Luke 24:1-3Luke's Gospel focuses on the women finding the stone rolled away and the appearance of two men in dazzling garments, offering a fuller picture of the supernatural events that greeted them upon arrival at the tomb.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4This passage offers the theological significance behind the events of that morning, declaring that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day, which is the foundational truth the women were about to discover.
Genesis 1:5This verse marks the beginning of the first day of creation, drawing a parallel to the 'first day of the week' when Christ's resurrection initiated a new creation, linking the dawn of that day to a new spiritual dawn for humanity.
barnesMatthew 28:1: "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."
In the end of the sabbath - The word "end" here means the same as "after" the Sabbath - that is, after the Sabbath was fully completed or finished, and may be expressed in this manner: "In the night following the Sabbath, for the Sabbath closed at sunset, as it began to dawn," etc. As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week - The…
calvinMatthew 28:1-7: "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre."
- Now in the evening of the Sabbaths, [298] which began to dawn towards the first of the Sabbaths, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulcher. 2. And lo, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and approached, and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3. And his c…
The phrasing "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" highlights the transition between two distinct periods—the Sabbath's completion and the dawn of the new week. This specific timing emphasizes that their actions are occurring precisely at the cusp of a new era, marking the moment death's reign is definitively broken by resurrection.
This verse opens the account of the resurrection, occurring immediately after the Sabbath day has concluded and as the first day of the week is dawning. Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary are heading to Jesus' tomb, intending to see it. Their visit is set against the backdrop of Jesus' recent crucifixion and burial, with the women still processing their grief and likely unaware of the supernatural events that have already occurred.
This verse opens the account of the resurrection, occurring immediately after the Sabbath day has concluded and as the first day of the week is dawning. Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary are heading to Jesus' tomb, intending to see it. Their visit is set against the backdrop of Jesus' recent crucifixion and burial, with the women still processing their grief and likely unaware of the supernatural events that have already occurred.
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c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Women
Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women, as they are on their way to tell the disciples the news.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appears to Disciples
Jesus makes multiple appearances to his disciples in and around Jerusalem over the next forty days, culminating in his ascension.
"Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb." — The phrasing "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" highlights the transition between two distinct periods—the Sabbath's completion and the dawn of the new…
