In Greek, the term Sabbath in the singular and plural forms has great potential for confusion. A supposedly template for the erroneous claim that Jesus Christ was actually resurrected on a Sabbath.
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Ancient Greek is just a little different
Grammar, word choice and idioms in ancient Greek can certainly cause confusion. This is especially the case for the word Sabbath, the 7th day of the week. For people who are out to mislead people, this fact is actually very welcome.
The fact is: Jesus Christ was crucified on the 6th day of the week, rested on the 7th day of the week (Sabbath) and rose again on the 1st day of the week.
Apparent confusion with Sabbath
Events on the Resurrection Day are described, for example, in Luke 24, such as Luke 24.1 (German Schlachter 2000, translated):
“And on the first day of the week early in the morning they came to the tomb, bringing with them the sweet spices which they had prepared, and some more.“
English King James Version:
“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.“
Luther Bible from 1545:
“Aber an der Sabbate einem sehr frühe kamen sie zum Grabe und trugen die Spezerei, die sie bereitet hatten, und etliche mit ihnen.”
Latin (Catholic) Vulgate:
“una autem sabbati valde diluculo venerunt ad monumentum portantes quae paraverant aromata“
Vulgate translated into English:
“And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared.“
That looks pretty confusing. Is it the Sabbath or the first day of the week?
The basic text according to textus receptus
The basic Greek text, textus receptus Stephanus 1550, provides the following information:
It is crystal clear in the verse. The first words are “τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων” (tē dè mia tōn sabbátōn). Directly an invitation to claim the resurrection of Jesus on the Sabbath.
However, one should not make the mistake of assuming that other languages from a different culture, even more than 2000 years ago, follow the same rules that one is used to in one’s own everyday language today.
Just one verse before, i.e. Luke 23:56 (Schlachter 2000):
“Then they returned and prepared fragrant spices and ointments; but on the Sabbath they rested according to the law.“
The Latin Vulgate:
“et revertentes paraverunt aromata et unguenta et sabbato quidem siluerunt secundum mandatum“
Vulgate in English:
“And returning, they prepared spices and ointments: and on the sabbath day they rested, according to the commandment.“
Small but subtle difference
The textus receptus shows the following:
Here the word is “σαββατoν” (sabbaton).
The difference lies between “sabbátōn” and “sabbaton”. Here “sabbátōn” is in the plural and “sabbaton” is in the singular.
“Even” the Roman Catholic Church made the “plural Sabbath” the “first day of the week” (Luke 24:1). This is obviously because even this church did not want to shake the day of Jesus’ resurrection. The “Resurrection Day” for the Church of Rome is dedicated to the “Sun God” Mithras (Info). Since this religious institution presents itself as Christian to the outside world, Jesus Christ could not have been (falsely) resurrected on the Sabbath. This would no longer correspond to the actually celebrated “Sun God Day”. It would be very difficult to deceive people.
The solution to the mystery
The Roman Catholic Church knew very early on that the Greek plural form “sabbátōn” means the first day of the week.
Eusebius of Caesarea (died 339) wrote to Marinus about the counting of the days of the week in the New Testament.
“It was customary to call the whole week “Sabbath,” and to name all days of the week in this way. In any case, the evangelists say: the first of the Sabbaths, the second of the Sabbaths, and the third and fourth of the Sabbaths.“
The days of the week are initially only numbered: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th day, either alone or with the addition of the word “Sabbath”, e.g. אחד בשבת cf. τῆς μίας σαββάτων = Sunday, both in the New Hebrew and in the Aramaic idiom; The New Testament expression τῆς μίας σαββάτων – “the first of the Sabbaths” = the first day of the week, can already be found in the Septuagint: Ps 23:1 LXX. It is the introductory note, “A Psalm for David on the first day of the week.” In some translations this is Psalm 24 and is not always stated.
Example of Psalm 23 in Greek – here
Example where this is Psalm 24, in English – here
Actually quite simple
In simple words: The Greek singular Sabbath is THE Sabbath (7th day of the week) and the Greek plural Sabbath stands for a weekly period that begins with the 1st day of the week (today “Sunday”).
Martin Luther therefore did not translate nonsense, because he was well aware of how these expressions were used in Greek. However, he probably underestimated how quickly this knowledge could be deleted from society and, in particular, misused to mislead.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Timothy 3:16
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
