The Greek word opsé, represented by G3796, is an adverb meaning late in the day or, by extension, after the close of the day. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. Derived from the idea of backwardness, its meaning allows for translations such as "at even" and "in the end."
In its biblical usage, G3796 consistently denotes a specific time, usually marking a transition. In the Gospel of Mark, it refers to the evening. For instance, it is used to describe when Jesus and his disciples would leave the city Mark 11:19. It is also listed as the first of four watches of the night—"at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning"—in a passage urging vigilance for the master's return Mark 13:35. In Matthew's account of the resurrection, the word takes on a more conclusive sense, translated as "In the end of the sabbath," marking the period after the Sabbath had concluded but before the dawn of the first day of the week Matthew 28:1.
Several related Greek words help clarify the temporal context in which G3796 is used:
- G1161 dé: This is a primary particle that can mean but, and, etc. It appears with G3796 in Matthew 28:1 to continue the narrative from the end of the Sabbath to the events that followed.
- G2020 epiphṓskō: Meaning to begin to grow light or draw on, this word is used in Matthew 28:1 to describe the dawn that follows the period referred to as G3796.
- G3317 mesonýktion: This word for midnight is listed immediately after "even" G3796 in the sequence of night watches in Mark 13:35.
- G4404 prōḯ: Meaning at dawn or early (in the morning), this term represents the final watch of the night in Mark 13:35, bookending the night that begins with G3796.
- G4521 sábbaton: The word for the Sabbath, it is the specific day that G3796 marks the end of in the pivotal resurrection account Matthew 28:1.
The theological weight of G3796 is derived from the significant biblical events it frames.
- A Pivotal Transition: Its use in Matthew 28:1 as "in the end of the sabbath" places it at a crucial juncture in redemptive history. It signifies the conclusion of the Sabbath rest under the old law, immediately preceding the dawning of a new reality with the resurrection of Christ.
- Eschatological Readiness: In Mark 13:35, G3796 is the first time marker in Jesus's call for his followers to be watchful. "At even" is part of a broader command for constant vigilance, connecting the simple time of day to a state of spiritual preparedness for the Lord's return.
In summary, G3796 is a precise adverb that does more than just tell time. While it literally marks the evening, as seen in Mark, its most profound use is in Matthew, where it signifies the end of the Sabbath and the threshold of the resurrection. It illustrates how a simple temporal word can carry significant theological weight, marking both the close of a day and the end of an era, while also serving as a reminder for believers to remain watchful.
TRV