Devine Scripture

Matthew 28:1

What does Matthew 28:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 28:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 28:1 means

As the Sabbath day concluded and the first day of the week, Sunday, began to dawn, two women, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, arrived at Jesus' tomb. Their intention was to visit the sepulchre, perhaps to mourn or to complete the anointing rituals they could not finish before the Sabbath. This early morning visit marks the beginning of the most pivotal event in human history. The exact time—very early on the first day of the week—is crucial, setting the stage for the discovery that Jesus had indeed conquered death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now late on the Sabbath, when the dawn of the first day of the week was near, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the place where his body was.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And on the eve of the sabbaths, at the dawn, toward the first of the sabbaths, came Mary the Magdalene, and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in the end of the sabbath, when it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now late on sabbath, as it was the dusk of the next day after sabbath, came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to look at the sepulchre.

Context

This verse sets the scene for the resurrection, establishing the time and the initial witnesses. It follows the narrative of Jesus' crucifixion and burial, showing the devotion of these women even after His death. This visit immediately precedes the angelic revelation and the earthquake, highlighting the personal experience of these women as they are about to encounter the miraculous.

v.1This passage

v.2And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 27:56

    among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

  • Matthew 27:61

    And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

  • Luke 24:22

    Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb;

  • Mark 16:1

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

  • Luke 23:56

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

  • John 20:1

    Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

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