[GCC Catholic]

Dawn is an interesting word in the Greek. It is "Epiphosko" and indeed, one of the uses of this word is the day becoming light. In this particular verse in Luke 24 it means something else. The only other place in scripture where you will find the word "Epiphosko" is Luke 23:54 and the Sabbath was drawing on (beginning).

So, you see, the dawning of the first day of the week means the beginning of the first day of the week....not early morning sunrise. The Hebrews began their days at sunset. Epiphosko meant sundown in Luke and John even clarifies it further by saying it was dark.

Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of Greek, but I did decide to look up your citation to Luke 23:54, and found the reference to "drawing on" that you speak of. Strong's dictionary lists the word Epiphosko as such:

"A form of G2017; to begin to grow light: - begin to dawn, X draw on."

and for convenience, 2017 is:

"A form of G2014; to illuminate (figuratively): - give light."

This says to me that the word refers to the time as it is transitioning from dark to light, namely, what we consider to be dawn. This would be early in the morning on the first day of the week, as a plain reading of the text suggests.

It must certainly be from the plain reading and not solely from the Catholic Magisterium, because the last time I checked, the vast majority of Protestants worship on Sunday for the same reason that Catholics do. Why should I (or anyone else) agree with your novel rendering when neither the Strong's dictionary (well respected among Protestants) nor the vast majority of nearly 2000 years of Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant) agree with you?

You seem to want to have it both ways. You say that something is literal where the plain reading suits you, and you say that it is either figurative or means something that isn't plain where the plain reading doesn't suit you.

[Diego1618]

to begin to grow light: - begin to dawn, X draw on.

It is used the same way in Matthew 28:1 as it is in Luke 23:54. This usage denotes a day beginning as in Luke, the High Sabbath of Unleavened Bread is "drawing on". In Matthew, it is the first day of the week "drawing on." In both cases.....and these are the only times this word is used in scripture, the time of the day is sunset.

Compare the scripture to the dictionary.

It must certainly be from the plain reading and not solely from the Catholic Magisterium, because the last time I checked, the vast majority of Protestants worship on Sunday for the same reason that Catholics do.

You are correct...both Catholics and Protestants are deceived on this issue.....as in most others.

You just have to ask yourself.....why does the Greek say Late on Sabbath?