The Greek word epiphṓskō, represented by G2020, means to begin to grow light. It appears only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. Based on its usage, the term can signify the light of a new day beginning at sunrise or the conceptual start of a day as another draws to a close, as with the Sabbath.
In its biblical appearances, G2020 is used to mark pivotal moments in time. In Luke, it describes the beginning of the Sabbath day, which "drew on" following the preparation for Jesus' burial Luke 23:54. Conversely, in Matthew, the word is translated as "began to dawn," referring to the sunrise on the "first day of the week" when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre Matthew 28:1. Both instances use the word to frame the Sabbath.
Several related words help clarify the context in which G2020 appears:
- G3796 opsé (late in the day; after the close of the day): This adverb is used immediately before G2020 in Matthew 28:1 to describe the end of the Sabbath, highlighting the transition into the new day that was dawning.
- G4521 sábbaton (the Sabbath): This word provides the central context for both uses of G2020. The dawning or drawing on is always in relation to the beginning or end of the Sabbath (Matthew 28:1, Luke 23:54).
- G3391 mía (one or first): This is used to define the day that "began to dawn" in Matthew 28:1 as the "first day of the week," establishing its significance as the start of a new period.
The theological weight of G2020 is tied to its exclusive use within the Passion narrative.
- Marking Sacred Time: The word specifically denotes the transition into or out of the Sabbath at the time of Christ's death and resurrection. It marks the solemn beginning of the Sabbath rest after the crucifixion Luke 23:54.
- The Dawn of a New Reality: Its use in Matthew 28:1 is profoundly significant, as the "dawning" is not merely of a new day but of the resurrection. It symbolizes the arrival of a new era of hope, commencing on the "first day of the week."
- Transition Point: G2020 functions as a literary signpost, moving the narrative from the finality of the crucifixion and burial to the new beginning found in the empty tomb.
In summary, G2020 is a rare but impactful word. While its literal meaning is simply "to begin to grow light," its placement in scripture gives it immense significance. It is used exclusively to mark the passage of time around the Sabbath during Jesus' death and resurrection, serving as a temporal anchor for the transition from the cross to the empty tomb and the dawning of a new redemptive reality.
TRV