Mat 28:1-2 | JFB | STEP | 1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn —after the Sabbath, as it grew toward daylight. toward the first day of the week —Luke ( ) has it, "very early in the morning"—properly, "at the first appearance of daybreak"; and corresponding with this, John ( ) says, "when it was yet dark." See on . Not an hour, it would seem, was lost by those dear lovers of the Lord Jesus. came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary —"the mother of James and Joses" (see on ; ). to see the sepulchre —with a view to the anointing of the body, for which they had made all their preparations. (See on ). And, behold, there was —that is, there had been, before the arrival of the women. a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, &c.—And this was the state of things when the women drew near. Some judicious critics think all this was transacted while the women were approaching; but the view we have given, which is the prevalent one, seems the more natural. All this august preparation—recorded by Matthew alone—bespoke the grandeur of the exit which was to follow. The angel sat upon the huge stone, to overawe, with the lightning-luster that darted from him, the Roman guard, and do honor to his rising Lord.

Matthew 28:1-2

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn—after the Sabbath, as it grew toward daylight.

toward the first day of the week—Luke (Lu 24:1) has it, "very early in the morning"—properly, "at the first appearance of daybreak"; and corresponding with this, John (Joh 20:1) says, "when it was yet dark." See on Mr 16:2. Not an hour, it would seem, was lost by those dear lovers of the Lord Jesus.

came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary—"the mother of James and Joses" (see on Mt 27:56; Mt 27:61).

to see the sepulchre—with a view to the anointing of the body, for which they had made all their preparations. (See on Mr 16:1, 2).

And, behold, there was—that is, there had been, before the arrival of the women.

a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, &c.—And this was the state of things when the women drew near. Some judicious critics think all this was transacted while the women were approaching; but the view we have given, which is the prevalent one, seems the more natural. All this august preparation—recorded by Matthew alone—bespoke the grandeur of the exit which was to follow. The angel sat upon the huge stone, to overawe, with the lightning-luster that darted from him, the Roman guard, and do honor to his rising Lord.