First Day of the Week

Matthew 28:1

¹In 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.

The King James Version translation states first day of the week as many other translation do.  As a matter of fact, the phrase “first day of the week” is in Scriptures eight times, and every time the word “day” is in italics.  And, every time it is the Greek phrase mia {mee’-ah}(G3391) sabbaton {sab’-bat-on}(G4521).

Mia {mee’-ah}(G3391) is in the Bible 79 times, and is translated “one” 62 times, “first” 8 times, “certain” 4 times, “a” 3 times, and miscellaneous words 2 times.

Sabbaton {sab’-bat-on}(G4521) is in the Bible 68 times.  It is translated “sabbath day” 37 times, “sabbath” 22 times, and “week” 9 times.

Sabbaton {sab’-bat-on}(G4521) is of Hebrew origin.  It comes from SHABBATH {shab-bawth’}(H7676).  Shabbath {shab-bawth’} means Sabbath.  It is not used to express any other word or concept other than Sabbath. Week is an improper translation for shabbath {shab-bawth’}.  The translators either made a mistake or intentionally translated sabbaton {sab’-bat-on} to “week”.

The error may have occurred because many are unaware that a Sabbath can fall on any day of the week.  This is because there are what is known as Holy Convocations.  These can be found in Leviticus 23.  They are not dependent upon a day.  They are on a specific date.

Again, Matthew 28:1 from the Young’s Literal Translation

¹And 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,

What actually happen was that there were two Sabbaths in a row.  This is consistent in all four Gospels.

Mark 16:2 from the Young’s Literal Translation

²And early in the morning of the first of the sabbaths, they came unto the sepulchre, at the rising of the sun,

Luke 24:1 from the Young’s Literal Translation

¹ And on the first of the sabbaths, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bearing the spices they made ready, and certain [others] with them,

John 20:1 from the Young’s Literal Translation

¹ And on the first of the sabbaths, mary the Magdalene doth come early (there being yet darkness) to the tomb, and she seeeth the stone having been taken away out of the tomb,

The original text is clear, this day was the first of the Sabbaths, not “the first day of the week”.

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