28:1 In {1} the {a} end of the sabbath, as it {b} began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
(1) Christ, having routed death in the tomb, rises by his own power, as the angel immediately witnesses.
(a) At the going out of the sabbath, that is, about daybreak after the Roman manner of telling time, which considers the natural day to be from the rising of the sun to the next sunrise: and not as the Hebrews, which count from evening to evening.
(b) When the morning of the first day after the sabbath began to dawn: and that first day is the same as that which we now call Sunday, or the Lord's day.
28:1 The Resurrection
SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 28:
The Women at the Sepulcher. The Message of the Angel. The Risen Lord. The Report of the Guard. The Charge of the Priests. Christ Appears to the Eleven. The Meeting in Galilee. The Great Commission.
In the end of the sabbath. After the Sabbath in which Jesus had lain in the tomb.
As it began to dawn. All the gospels mark the precious moment when the great news first became known. Mark says they arrived at sunrise (Mr 16:2). Compare Mr 16:1-8 Lu 24:1-11 Joh 20:1-21 1Co 15:1-20.
The first [day] of the week. The Lord's day, or Sunday.
Came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. Mary, the mother of James and Joses (Mr 15:47). Also Salome (Mr 16:1). Late on Friday evening they had watched the sepulcher (Mt 27:56). Now, after the Sabbath, they came with spices in the hope that they could anoint the body (Mr 16:1). These disciples would not break the Sabbath, even to preserve the body of their beloved Lord. The Sabbath ended at sunset, so that Jesus had been dead and buried Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday morning, beginning at the previous sunset, three days according to Jewish reckoning. See 1Sa 30:12-13 2Ch 10:5,12.
28:1 Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1
28:1-8 Christ rose the third day after his death; that was the time he had often spoken of. On the first day of the first week God commanded the light to shine out of darkness. On this day did He who is the Light of the world, shine out of the darkness of the grave; and this day is from henceforward often mentioned in the New Testament, as the day which Christians religiously observed in solemn assemblies, to the honour of Christ. Our Lord Jesus could have rolled back the stone by his own power, but he chose to have it done by an angel. The resurrection of Christ, as it is the joy of his friends, so it is the terror and confusion of his enemies. The angel encouraged the women against their fears. Let the sinners in Zion be afraid. Fear not ye, for his resurrection will be your consolation. Our communion with him must be spiritual, by faith in his word. When we are ready to make this world our home, and to say, It is good to be here, then let us remember our Lord Jesus is not here, he is risen; therefore let our hearts rise, and seek the things that are above. He is risen, as he said. Let us never think that strange which the word of Christ has told us to expect; whether the sufferings of this present time, or the glory that is to be revealed. It may have a good effect upon us, by faith to view the place where the Lord lay. Go quickly. It was good to be there, but the servants of God have other work appointed. Public usefulness must be chosen before the pleasure of secret communion with God. Tell the disciples, that they may be comforted under their present sorrows. Christ knows where his disciples dwell, and will visit them. Even to those at a distance from the plenty of the means of grace, he will graciously manifest himself. The fear and the joy together quickened their pace. The disciples of Christ should be forward to make known to each other their experiences of communion with their Lord; and should tell others what God has done for their souls.
