This verse sets the scene for the resurrection narrative in the Gospel of Matthew. Let's break it down:
"Now after the Sabbath...": The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. This phrase indicates that the Sabbath is over.
"...as it began to dawn on the first day of the week...": This specifies the time as very early on Sunday morning, just as the sun was starting to rise. The "first day of the week" is Sunday in the Jewish calendar.
"...Mary Magdalene and the other Mary...": These are two specific women named Mary who are followers of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the Gospels, known for being delivered from demons and being a devoted follower of Jesus. "The other Mary" is often understood to be Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 27:56).
"...came to see the tomb.": This tells us the purpose of their visit. They were going to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Why they were going isn't explicitly stated here, but in other Gospel accounts, it's implied they were going to anoint Jesus' body with spices, a common practice at the time.
In essence, this verse paints a picture of two women, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, going to Jesus' tomb very early on Sunday morning, just after the Sabbath had ended. It's the opening scene of the resurrection story in Matthew. It sets the stage for the discovery that the tomb is empty and the subsequent events that confirm Jesus' resurrection.
This verse sets the scene for the resurrection narrative in the Gospel of Matthew. Let's break it down:
"Now after the Sabbath...": The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. This phrase indicates that the Sabbath is over.
"...as it began to dawn on the first day of the week...": This specifies the time as very early on Sunday morning, just as the sun was starting to rise. The "first day of the week" is Sunday in the Jewish calendar.
"...Mary Magdalene and the other Mary...": These are two specific women named Mary who are followers of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in the Gospels, known for being delivered from demons and being a devoted follower of Jesus. "The other Mary" is often understood to be Mary the mother of James and Joseph (Matthew 27:56).
"...came to see the tomb.": This tells us the purpose of their visit. They were going to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. Why they were going isn't explicitly stated here, but in other Gospel accounts, it's implied they were going to anoint Jesus' body with spices, a common practice at the time.
In essence, this verse paints a picture of two women, Mary Magdalene and another Mary, going to Jesus' tomb very early on Sunday morning, just after the Sabbath had ended. It's the opening scene of the resurrection story in Matthew. It sets the stage for the discovery that the tomb is empty and the subsequent events that confirm Jesus' resurrection.