Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The sheer darkness outside isn't just setting a mood; it emphasizes how Mary's search for Jesus is happening before the world can even see properly. Her coming "while it was still dark" highlights her intense devotion, pushing her to the tomb even before dawn breaks, driven by love and grief before any light of understanding has dawned.
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage opens on the first day of the week, immediately after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Mary Magdalene, driven by her devotion, arrives at the tomb while it's still dark, only to discover the large stone sealing the entrance has been moved. This discovery, and her immediate reaction to tell Jesus' closest disciples, Peter and John, sets in motion their urgent visit to the tomb and the unfolding events of the Resurrection.
Why was Mary Magdalene at the tomb so early, 'while it was still dark'?
Mary's visit isn't just about finding the tomb empty; it's about the deep love and devotion that drove her there.
Love's Early Calling
The stone was moved, but by whom and for what purpose?
The removal of the stone isn't just a plot point; it's a signpost pointing to God's direct intervention and the unveiling of a new reality.
God's Hand at Work
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Understand the original words
mia tōn sabbatōn · Greek Noun phrase
The day following the Sabbath, signifying the day of Christ's resurrection and the beginning of the new creation, eventually becoming the day of Christian worship.
Maria hē Magdalēnē · Greek Proper Noun
A woman from Magdala whom Jesus healed of seven demons; she became a devoted follower of Jesus, a witness to the crucifixion, and the first witness to the empty tomb.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place for the dead; in the context of the Gospels, it refers to the burial place of Jesus, which became the site of the miraculous resurrection.
The timing of Mary's visit 'while it was still dark' highlights her deep devotion and the shock of finding the stone already removed, setting the stage for the extraordinary events of the Resurrection morning.
c. AD 30, Friday evening
Jesus' Burial
Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and respected council member, buries Jesus' body in his own new tomb after obtaining permission from Pilate.
c. AD 30, Saturday
The Sabbath Rest
Following Jewish law, all activity ceases for the Sabbath. Women who had prepared spices and ointments to anoint Jesus' body rest, unable to perform the task.
c. AD 30, First day of the week, before dawn
Mary Magdalene's Journey
Mary Magdalene, driven by love and grief, begins her journey to the tomb while it is still dark, intending to complete the anointing service.
c. AD 30, First day of the week, dawn— this verse
Discovery at the Tomb
Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb to find the large stone sealing the entrance has been rolled away, a shocking and unsettling discovery.
c. AD 30, First day of the week, shortly after Mary's discovery
Mary Reports to Disciples
Mary rushes to find Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved, exclaiming that the Lord's body has been taken from the tomb.
c. AD 30, First day of the week, after Peter and John visit the tomb
Mary Encounters the Risen Christ
While weeping outside the tomb, Mary encounters the resurrected Jesus, who calls her by name, revealing Himself to her.
This passage describes the same event, the discovery of the empty tomb on the first day of the week, but from the perspective of Matthew's Gospel, which includes multiple women and an angel's appearance.
Mark 16:2Mark's Gospel also recounts Mary Magdalene's visit to the tomb very early, highlighting the timing 'when the sun had risen,' which offers a slightly different temporal detail to John's 'while it was still dark'.
Luke 24:1Luke’s Gospel mirrors John’s description of the women coming to the tomb early on the first day of the week, emphasizing the timing as 'very early' or 'at deep dawn'.
John 20:11This verse immediately follows the discovery of the empty tomb and depicts Mary Magdalene weeping outside the tomb, showing her profound grief and confusion before Jesus reveals Himself to her.
1 Corinthians 15:4This verse speaks to the core of the resurrection message, stating that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, which is the foundational event that Mary Magdalene is about to discover.
meyerJohn 20:1: "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."
John 20:1-2 . On the designation of the first day of the week by μία τῶν σαββ ., as well as on the irreconcilable deviation of John,[259] who (“for brevity’s sake!” Hengstenberg, indeed, thinks) makes only Mary Magdalene go to the grave, from the Synoptics, see on Matthew 28:1 . Of a hastening beforehand on the part of Mary, in advance…
bengelJohn 20:1: "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre."
John 20:1 . Εἰς τὸ μνημεῖον ) unto the sepulchre .— τὸν λίθον , the stone ) which had been rolled to the mouth of it, according to custom: ch. John 11:38 [Lazarus’ tomb, which was “a cave”].
The sheer darkness outside isn't just setting a mood; it emphasizes how Mary's search for Jesus is happening before the world can even see properly. Her coming "while it was still dark" highlights her intense devotion, pushing her to the tomb even before dawn breaks, driven by love and grief before any light of understanding has dawned.
This passage opens on the first day of the week, immediately after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Mary Magdalene, driven by her devotion, arrives at the tomb while it's still dark, only to discover the large stone sealing the entrance has been moved. This discovery, and her immediate reaction to tell Jesus' closest disciples, Peter and John, sets in motion their urgent visit to the tomb and the unfolding events of the Resurrection.
This passage opens on the first day of the week, immediately after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Mary Magdalene, driven by her devotion, arrives at the tomb while it's still dark, only to discover the large stone sealing the entrance has been moved. This discovery, and her immediate reaction to tell Jesus' closest disciples, Peter and John, sets in motion their urgent visit to the tomb and the unfolding events of the Resurrection.
"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb." — The sheer darkness outside isn't just setting a mood; it emphasizes how Mary's search for Jesus is happening before the world can even see properly. Her coming "while it was still dark" highlights he…
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Last reviewed October 2026