Matthew 28:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the end {G1161}{G3796} of the sabbath {G4521}, as it began to dawn {G2020} toward {G1519} the first {G3391} day of the week {G4521}, came {G2064} Mary {G3137} Magdalene {G3094} and {G2532} the other {G243} Mary {G3137} to see {G2334} the sepulchre {G5028}.

Complete Jewish Bible

After Shabbat, as the next day was dawning, Miryam of Magdala and the other Miryam went to see the grave.

Berean Standard Bible

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

American Standard Version

Now late on the sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:1 serves as the crucial transition point from the sorrow of Christ's crucifixion and burial to the glorious dawn of His resurrection. This verse meticulously details the timing—the very close of the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to break—and introduces the faithful women, Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary," who set out with sorrowful intent to visit the tomb, unknowingly on the precipice of the most pivotal event in human history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the somber narrative of Jesus' burial and the sealing of His tomb. [Matthew 27:57-61](/matthew/27-57-61 "Matthew 27:57-61 - Jesus' Burial") describes Joseph of Arimathea's courageous request for Jesus' body, its placement in a new tomb, and the presence of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary observing the burial site. The Jewish authorities, remembering Jesus' prophecy of rising after three days, had requested a Roman guard and a sealed tomb to prevent the disciples from stealing the body, as recounted in [Matthew 27:62-66](/matthew/27-62-66 "Matthew 27:62-66 - The Guard at the Tomb"). Therefore, Matthew 28:1 sets the stage for the dramatic unveiling of God's power, directly countering the efforts to secure the tomb and providing the first human witnesses to the resurrection narrative. It marks a profound shift from the despair of death to the hope of new life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish Sabbath, observed from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, was a day of absolute rest, during which no work, including the preparation of bodies for burial, was permitted. Jesus had been crucified on Friday, and His body hastily prepared and laid in the tomb before the Sabbath began. The women's visit "in the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" indicates the earliest possible moment they could attend to the body after the Sabbath had concluded. This timing, just after Saturday sunset and into the early hours of Sunday morning, underscores their deep devotion and adherence to Jewish law, even in their profound grief. Their intent was likely to complete the anointing rites with spices, a common practice for honoring the deceased, which they had been unable to do on Friday. The "sepulchre" (Greek *taphos*) would have been a rock-cut tomb, often with a large stone rolled across the entrance, as described in [Matthew 27:60](/matthew/27-60 "Matthew 27:60 - Jesus Laid in a New Tomb").
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 28:1 contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Faithfulness and Devotion of the Women**, who, unlike many of the male disciples, remained steadfast in their commitment to Jesus even in death, becoming the first witnesses to His resurrection. Their perseverance in seeking Jesus, even in sorrow, is a powerful testament to true discipleship. Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Timing and the Inevitability of Prophecy's Fulfillment**. The precise timing—"the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week"—is not coincidental but divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for the fulfillment of Jesus' repeated prophecies about His resurrection on the third day (e.g., [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection"), [Matthew 17:23](/matthew/17-23 "Matthew 17:23 - Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection"), [Matthew 20:19](/matthew/20-19 "Matthew 20:19 - Jesus' Third Prediction of His Death and Resurrection")). Finally, this verse serves as a powerful **Anticipation of the Empty Tomb and the Resurrection**, even before the actual discovery. The women's journey to "see the sepulchre" quickly transforms into an encounter with the miraculous, establishing the cornerstone of Christian faith: the triumph of life over death, as revealed in [Matthew 28:5-7](/matthew/28-5-7 "Matthew 28:5-7 - The Angel's Message at the Tomb").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **end (Greek, _opsé'_):** This adverb signifies "late in the day" or "after the close of the day." In the context of the Sabbath, which ended at sunset on Saturday, "in the end of the sabbath" precisely denotes the moment the Sabbath was concluding, transitioning into the first hours of the new day. It marks the precise temporal boundary between the old era of Sabbath observance and the dawning of the new creation in Christ.
* **began to dawn (Greek, _epiphṓskō'_):** This verb means "to begin to grow light" or "to draw on." It describes the very first glimmer of light in the sky, indicating the earliest hours of the morning. Coupled with "the end of the sabbath," it paints a vivid picture of the transition from the darkness of night and the somber Sabbath rest to the breaking light of a new day, symbolically mirroring the transition from death to resurrection.
* **see (Greek, _theōréō'_):** This verb implies more than a casual glance; it means "to be a spectator of," "to discern," or "to behold." The women came with the intent to carefully observe the tomb, perhaps to confirm its location, to mourn, or to complete burial rites. Their intention to "see" the sepulchre foreshadows their actual experience of seeing the empty tomb and, subsequently, the risen Christ, transforming their sorrowful observation into joyful witness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the end of the sabbath,"**: This phrase pinpoints the precise moment the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) was concluding, at sunset. It signifies the transition from the day of rest, during which Jesus' body lay in the tomb, to the start of the new day.
* **"as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week,"**: This further clarifies the timing, indicating the very early hours of Sunday morning, just as light was beginning to appear in the sky. This specific timing is crucial, establishing the day of Jesus' resurrection and the subsequent Christian observance of Sunday as the Lord's Day.
* **"came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary"**: These two women, identified as faithful followers who were present at the crucifixion and burial, are the first human witnesses to approach the tomb on this momentous day. Their presence highlights their unwavering devotion and love for Jesus.
* **"to see the sepulchre."**: Their purpose in coming was to visit the tomb, likely to mourn, confirm its state, and perhaps to complete the anointing of Jesus' body, a task they could not perform on the Sabbath. This seemingly simple act of visiting a grave sets the stage for the greatest revelation in history.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 28:1 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, particularly in the temporal description. The phrase "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" is rich with symbolic meaning. The "end of the sabbath" can symbolize the close of the old covenant era, marked by law and sacrifice, and the "dawn toward the first day of the week" symbolizes the inauguration of the new covenant, characterized by grace, resurrection, and new creation. This transition from darkness to light also embodies the shift from the despair of death to the hope of resurrection. There is also strong **Anticipation** and **Foreshadowing** in the women's intent to "see the sepulchre." While they anticipate seeing a dead body in a sealed tomb, the narrative subtly foreshadows the miraculous discovery of the empty tomb and the subsequent encounter with the risen Christ, transforming their sorrowful mission into the joyful proclamation of the Gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 28:1 profoundly connects to the theological significance of the resurrection as the cornerstone of Christian faith. The precise timing, "the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week," establishes Sunday as the day of Christ's triumph over death, thereby shifting the primary day of worship for Christians from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) to the Lord's Day (Sunday), commemorating the new creation inaugurated by the resurrection. This transition underscores the new covenant's fulfillment and transcendence of the old, demonstrating that Christ's work is complete and brings about a new reality. The women's faithful pursuit of Jesus, even in death, highlights the theme of steadfast devotion that is ultimately rewarded with the revelation of God's greatest victory.

* [Mark 16:1-2](/mark/16-1-2 "Mark 16:1-2 - The Women at the Tomb")
* [Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - The Empty Tomb")
* [John 20:1](/john/20-1 "John 20:1 - Mary Magdalene at the Tomb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 28:1 invites us to reflect on the profound transition from sorrow to joy, from darkness to light, and from death to life that is central to the Christian message. The faithfulness of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who sought Jesus even in His death, serves as a powerful example for believers today. Their diligent pursuit, despite their grief and the apparent finality of the tomb, reminds us that even in our deepest sorrows and uncertainties, our continued seeking of Christ will lead to unexpected revelations of His power and presence. This verse also calls us to consider the significance of Sunday, the "first day of the week," not merely as a day off, but as a weekly commemoration of the resurrection—a reminder of new beginnings, victory over sin and death, and the ongoing work of God in our lives. It encourages us to approach each new day, and especially the Lord's Day, with anticipation of God's continued revelation and transformative power, just as the women approached the tomb expecting death but finding life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the timing described in Matthew 28:1 (the transition from Sabbath to the first day of the week) impact your understanding of Sunday as the Lord's Day?**
* **What can you learn from the faithfulness and perseverance of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary in their pursuit of Jesus, even in seemingly hopeless circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life are you "seeking the sepulchre" (focusing on what seems dead or lost), and how might this verse encourage you to anticipate God's new life and resurrection power?**

### FAQ
**Why is the timing of the women's visit to the tomb so precisely described in Matthew 28:1?**

Answer: The precise description of the timing—"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week"—is crucial for several reasons. Theologically, it marks the exact moment of transition from the Jewish Sabbath, representing the old covenant and the period of Christ's rest in the tomb, to the "first day of the week," which signifies the new creation inaugurated by Jesus' resurrection. This timing directly fulfills Jesus' prophecies that He would rise on the third day ([Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). Historically and culturally, it explains why the women visited then: the Sabbath had just concluded, allowing them to perform burial rites they couldn't do earlier. Furthermore, this specific timing establishes Sunday as the day of Christian worship, commemorating the resurrection, as seen in the practices of the early church ([Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Acts 20:7 - Paul's Farewell at Troas") and [1 Corinthians 16:2](/1_corinthians/16-2 "1 Corinthians 16:2 - Collection for the Saints")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 28:1, while seemingly a simple narrative detail, is profoundly Christ-centered, setting the stage for the ultimate demonstration of His triumph over sin and death. The women's journey "to see the sepulchre" is a poignant reflection of humanity's search for hope in the face of mortality, a search that finds its complete and glorious answer in the person of Jesus Christ. The timing—the dawning of the "first day of the week"—is not arbitrary but divinely orchestrated to signify the dawn of a new creation, where Christ, as the "firstfruits of those who are asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")), inaugurates a new spiritual reality. His resurrection from the tomb, which these women were about to discover, validates His claims to be the Son of God and the promised Messiah, fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies concerning Him ([Luke 24:44-47](/luke/24-44-47 "Luke 24:44-47 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")). The empty tomb, anticipated by their visit, is the irrefutable proof that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the living Lord who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus' Authority Over Death")). Thus, this verse, by detailing the approach to the tomb, powerfully points to the resurrected Christ as the source of all Christian hope, the conqueror of death, and the inaugurator of eternal life for all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 16:1

¶ And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Mark 16:8

And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any [man]; for they were afraid.

John 20:1

¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

John 20:10

Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

Matthew 27:56

Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

Luke 23:56

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Luke 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles.