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Matthew 28:1-6

Back to The Bible's Difficult Scriptures Explained!


“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 sepulcher. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and His raiment white as snow: and for fear of Him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not you: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Some feel these verses prove an “Easter Sunday” resurrection. Understand that the entire account speaks in the past tense. Mt 28:2 mentions that a great earthquake “had been” (the correct Greek tense). In effect, Mt 28:6 says, “He has already gone; for He is risen [already].” This is because Christ had already been crucified on the previous Wednesday, and would have been raised on Saturday. Hence, He would have already been gone by Sunday morning!

Suggested reading:

• Christ’s Resurrection Was Not on Sunday

• The True Origin of Easter

• Christ’s Crucifixion Was Not on Friday