Christian Family Services Ministry

3-5-2022 – A Word to the Wise – There are a few passages which are difficult to understand, interpret, or explain. The section from Matthew 27:51-28:6, is at the top of the list. I would like to offer an explanation. This is my opinion and interpretation of the passage.

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he[k] lay. (ESV)

First note that Jesus died at 3 pm. on the 3rd of April 33 A.D. This period was the only time for several years previous and many years after when these Passover events fell on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Passover in that era could fall on any day of the week. To the Jewish world Saturday night is the first day of the week, that is very important if one is to properly interpret the passage.

I want to draw your attention to Mt. 27:52. Here we have the statement that many saints rose from the dead shortly after Jesus’ death and went into Jerusalem.

Many believe that Jesus rose from the dead early Sunday morning, However, the text never says that. In fact, I would suggest that Jesus actually rose probably after the close of the Sabbath which would be Saturday evening to the Jews the first day of the new week.

The angel says he had already risen. If that be the case, what did he do on Saturday night until early Sunday morning? Remember according to Genesis the evening begins the new day.

Beginning with his death and until early Sunday morning I believe two very important activities occurred.

First consider I Peter 3:18-20. “18 For Christ also suffered[b] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which[c] he went and proclaimed[d] to the spirits in prison, 20 because[e] they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

I am suggesting that the first sermon the Lord taught upon his death was to these imprisoned souls while he is dead from Friday night to Saturday morning. I suspect the content was the same as to the two on the road to Emmaus, showing from scriptures God’s plan. I would suppose they had the opportunity to repent.

Afterwards, the second sermon was taught. This lesson occurred after rising on Saturday evening the first day of the week. This audience I suspect were the righteous saint who rose from the dead but did not leave the tombs till Jesus left.

Same sermon different audience for a different reason. These righteous souls were to go into Jerusalem and testify about Jesus and how he fulfilled the predictions from the Old Testament. These saints had to have a purpose and had to testify to something. That something had to be taught to them.

Moreover, I think they are of the time period of Jesus. The people would not have recognized Jeremiah, Isaiah, or other ancient prophets, or figures.

Again, I have reached these conclusions from nearly 40 years of study. The conclusions maybe incorrect I do not think anyone will be lost or saved on these interpretations. However, it does provide us another understanding about the events which scripture does not delve into rather just mentions in passing.