Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 28:1

1. IN the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn, towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.

We are now come to that part of the Gospel, which Treateth concerning the Resurrection of Christ, and the Converse which he had upon the Earth, for forty Days, Acts 1.3. until the time of his Ascension into Heaven. Matthew and Mark are the shortest in this Narration. I shall therefore only consider what Matthew saith, and what the other Evangelists speak, as to the same things which he mentioneth, leaving out what the other Evangelists have (not at all mentioned by him) to be Discoursed in their Proper Place. We heard before that Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary had prepared Spices and Ointment, to Anoint the Body of Christ, but the Sabbath day being at Hand, they would not by that unnecessary Action profane the Sabbath, as Luke tells us, Ch. 23.56. They rested on the Sabbath, according to the Commandement. The Sabbath ended with them, at the Setting of the Sun. They did not go as soon as the Sabbath was ended, but after it was ended, as it began to dawn towards the first Day of the Week. The first Day of the Week, began with them as soon as the Sabbath was ended, so as the first Day of the Week, was a third part spent, therefore Mark reports the time, Mark 16.1, 2. And when the Sabbath was spent, and says that Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of Iames, and Salome had bought sweet Spices, that they might come, and Anoint him. And very early in the Morning, the first Day of the Week they came unto the Sepulcher at the rising of the Sun. Luke, Ch. 24.1. saith, that upon the first Day of the Week very early in the Morning, they came unto the Sepulcher, bringing the Spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Iohn saith, Ch. 20.1. The first Day of the Week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark unto the Sepulcher. As to the time, Three Evangelists say it was upon the first day of the Week early in the Morning, about Sun Rising (saith Mark) while it was yet dark (saith Iohn) these how interpret Matthews [non-Latin text not transcribed] which doth not signify, In the Evening of the Sabbath, but in the Evening of the Sabbaths, the end of the Week. The Jews in Honour to the Sabbath, called all the Days of the Week Sabbaths. The first of the Sabbath, the second of the Sabbath, &c. So as [non-Latin text not transcribed] is well Translated by our Translators, In the end of the Sabbaths. The Evening or Night following the Sabbaths, following the seventh Day, which was the Sabbath. Nor is [non-Latin text not transcribed] to be taken here, strictly for that time of the Night, which we call the Evening, but for the whole Night, which must be reckoned to continue untill the Sun-Rising, of the first Day of the Week and so Matthew expounds himself, adding, as it began to dawn towards the first Day of the Week that is, the first Artificial Day (as the Day is accounted from the Sun Rising, to Sun Setting) otherwise it was upon the first Natural day of the Week which began from the Sun Setting before. Matthew mentions the coming of Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, who Mark saith, was the Mother of Iames and Salome, to the Sepulcher. Iohn mentioneth only Mary Magdalene, but it is not probable, she went alone, and two other Evangelists say also the other Mary. Luke saith, there was certain others with them, there might be Divers with them, tho one only be named by Iohn, Two by Matthew and Mark as being the Principal Persons in the Company. And tho Matthew only mentioneth their going to see the Sepulcher, yet Mark telleth us, that they went also to Anoint his Body, and Luke saith, they carryed the Spices prepared for that end, their Faith, as it seemeth, was yet but weak as to our Saviours Resurrection.

Marginal references: Mark 16 [illegible: 1 letter].; Or, [illegible: 1 span] the [illegible: 1 word] ▪ Or, [illegible: 1 span] the end of [illegible: 1 word] week.