Lectionary Year A
March 31, 2002
Matthew 28:1-10

Initial Acquaintance/Rough Translation

A. Comparing Translations

(JFC) The Jerusalem Bible and the Revised Standard Version differ some:

1 went to visit the sepulcher. - JB
went to see the sepulcher. - RSV

2 And all at once there was a violent earthquake, - JB
And behold, there was a great earthquake; - RSV

3 His face was like lightening, - JB
His appearance was like lightening, - RSV

10 tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; - JB
tell my brethren to go to Galilee, - RSV

B. Textual Criticism

(JFC) 2 Here, a few editions, between li,qon and kai., have apo thj quraj or apo thj quraj tou mnhmeiou, while most of the significant witnesses keep the text as received, advisedly. It is too understood to have to be written or stated in any way.

6 Some witnesses add the name of the Lord Christ Jesus in various forms, including to swma tou kuriou, to the end of this verse, while most reliable editions keep the text s printed, since it is unquestionable who is meant by the rest of the verse and what part of Him is meant to have been raised. So, no redactions seem necessary to be original, for they add length without adding anything else to this verse.

7 Very few witnesses omit avpo. tw/n nekrw/n, while the majority of Metzger's (TCGNT) committee favored including these words based on external evidence, stating further, "Their omission may have been due to an oversight in transcription, perhaps prompted by the circumstance that in the preceding sentence (ver. 6) hvge,rqh, stands without such an addition." Nevertheless, surely these words are understood from that verb just before them, making them unnecessary and without them the verse is briefer, making it more likely to be original that way.

8 For the aorist, active, participle, avpelqou/sai, some significant editions have exelq-, to come out more than the former word's meaning to go out. He text as printed seems to make better sense and that text is retained by as many important editions, too.

9 Some few important parts of the tradition add at the beginning of this verse, wj de eporeuonto apaggeilai toij maqhtaij autou, saying, "But as they departed (imperfect) to announce that with which they were charged (aorist, active, infinitive) to the disciples of His . . .", which seems absolutely unnecessary given the identical thoughts have already been recorded in the preceding verse. Still, Metzger's Committee "regards them (these words) as a natural expansion derived from the sense of the preceding verse." Still, to include them makes the verse unnecessarily too long to be original. Besides, an equal number of equally reliable editions retain the Textus Receptus. Then, for u`ph,nthsen, a rather harsh word compared to the alternative aphnt-, which a few important witnesses have, while a few more and more reliables maintain the received version. My inclination is to go with the latter, the softer seeming word here.

10 For avdelfoi/j mou, a few minor witnesses have maqhtaij mou, which certainly seems more anticipated than the received version. Surely it is original even if only a few redactors seem to prefer it.

C. Rough Translation

(JFC) 1 But late in the day of the Sabbath, with the result that was dawning in one of (the) week came Miriam the Magdalene and the other Maria to see the tomb/grave. 2 And behold an earthquake happened great; for an angel of the Lord was coming (aorist, active, participle) came/descended from heaven and was approaching (aorist, active, indicative) and rolled away the stone was sitting (imperfect, middle or passive, indicative) on it. 3 But was the appearance of His like lightening and the clothing of His like white/shining/brilliant like snow. 4 But because of the fear of theirs shook/trembled (aorist, passive, indicative) those who were guarding (present, active, participle) and they became (aorist, passive, indicative) like dead persons. 5 But replied the angel said to the women; "Not fear (present, middle or passive, imperative) you, for I am knowing (perfect, active, indicative) that Jesus the crucified you seek; 6 Not is He here, for He is raised according as He said; come see the place where He laid. 7 And quickly go tell the disciples of His that He was raised (aorist, passive, indicative), and look He goes (present, active, indicative) before you to Galilee, there Him you will see; look I told you."
8 And they went away quickly from the tomb with fear and gladness/happiness great they ran to tell/inform the disciples of His. 9 And behold Jesus met them saying, "Greetings." But they approaching took hold of His the feet and fell down to worship Him. 10 Then says to them the Jesus ; "Not be afraid/fear; go tell/inform the disciples of mine in order that they should go to Galilee and there me they shall see."



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