But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women's preparation of spices, while an act of love, reveals their complete lack of expectation for Jesus' resurrection. Their intention was to embalm a dead body, demonstrating that they, like the other disciples, hadn't grasped Jesus' own words about rising again.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women, driven by love and grief, arrive at Jesus' tomb very early on the first day of the week, intending to anoint his body with spices they had prepared. This action, however, reveals their lack of expectation for a resurrection, as they had not yet fully grasped Jesus' prophetic words about rising again. Their arrival marks the beginning of the most significant morning in history, as they are about to encounter the empty tomb and angelic messengers who will announce the reality of the resurrection.
These women arrived at the tomb with a specific mission, but it wasn't what we might expect. What does their preparation reveal about their understanding of Jesus' fate?
On that first Easter morning, the women who went to the tomb were driven by love and devotion. They brought carefully prepared spices and ointments, intended for the embalming of Jesus' body.
The timing of their arrival – 'very early in the morning' – is significant. What does this specific, early hour tell us about their mindset and the atmosphere of that morning?
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The phrase 'very early in the morning' in Luke 24:1 is more descriptive than we might initially realize. The original wording, 'at deep dawn,' paints a vivid picture:
Understand the original words
sabbaton · Greek Noun
The period of twenty-four hours beginning at sunset; in this context, it refers to the third day after the crucifixion, marking the day of resurrection.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; symbolically, in the New Testament, it represents the place of death where the power of the grave was defeated by Christ.
arōmata · Greek Noun
Aromatic substances used for embalming or honoring the dead, reflecting the devotion of the followers of Jesus and their expectation of death rather than resurrection.
The women's visit to the tomb with spices reveals their lack of expectation for a resurrection, highlighting how astonishing and unexpected Jesus' rising truly was, even to His closest followers.
c. AD 30
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Jesus is crucified on Passover and laid in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb is sealed and a guard is posted.
c. AD 30
The Sabbath
The women who followed Jesus rest on the Sabbath day, according to the commandment, their grief and love for Jesus temporarily put aside.
c. AD 30— this verse
First Day of the Week - Early Dawn
On the first day of the week, while it is still dark, the women come to the tomb with spices they had prepared for anointing. They are concerned about how to move the stone.
c. AD 30
Empty Tomb Discovered
The women find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Angels appear, announcing Jesus has risen and reminding them of His words.
c. AD 30
Report to the Disciples
The women return and report their findings to the apostles, but their words are initially dismissed as fanciful tales.
c. AD 30
Peter and John Investigate
Peter and another disciple (John) run to the tomb, find it empty, and the grave clothes neatly folded, but do not yet fully grasp the resurrection.
This passage directly parallels Luke 24:1 by describing Mary Magdalene also going to the tomb early on the first day of the week, highlighting the early morning timing and the destination.
Mark 16:1-2This passage complements Luke 24:1 by naming additional women who went to the tomb with Mary Magdalene and mentioning their purpose in buying spices, reinforcing the detail of the prepared spices.
Matthew 28:1Similar to Luke 24:1, Matthew's account places the visit to the tomb on the first day of the week and identifies key women involved, emphasizing the day and the early hour of their arrival.
This passage provides the immediate context for Luke 24:1, explaining that the women who followed Jesus observed the Sabbath rest after preparing spices, showing the continuity of their devotion leading up to their early morning visit.
vincentLuke 24:1: "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."
Very early in the morning (ὄρθρου βαθέως)Lit., at deep dawn, or the dawn being deep. It is not uncommon in Greek to find βαθύς, deep, used of time; as deep or late evening. Plutarch says of Alexander, that he supped "at deep evening;" i.e., late at night. Philo says that the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea "about dee…
expositorsLuke 24:1: "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."
Chapter 26THE FIRST LORD’S DAY . THE Sabbath came and went over the grave of its Lord, and silence reigned in Joseph’s garden, broken only by the mailed sentinels, who laughed and chatted by, the sealed sepulcher. As to the disciples, this high day is a dies non to them, for the curtain of a deep silence hides them f…
The women's preparation of spices, while an act of love, reveals their complete lack of expectation for Jesus' resurrection. Their intention was to embalm a dead body, demonstrating that they, like the other disciples, hadn't grasped Jesus' own words about rising again.
The women, driven by love and grief, arrive at Jesus' tomb very early on the first day of the week, intending to anoint his body with spices they had prepared. This action, however, reveals their lack of expectation for a resurrection, as they had not yet fully grasped Jesus' prophetic words about rising again. Their arrival marks the beginning of the most significant morning in history, as they are about to encounter the empty tomb and angelic messengers who will announce the reality of the resurrection.
The women, driven by love and grief, arrive at Jesus' tomb very early on the first day of the week, intending to anoint his body with spices they had prepared. This action, however, reveals their lack of expectation for a resurrection, as they had not yet fully grasped Jesus' prophetic words about rising again. Their arrival marks the beginning of the most significant morning in history, as they are about to encounter the empty tomb and angelic messengers who will announce the reality of the resurrection.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared." — The women's preparation of spices, while an act of love, reveals their complete lack of expectation for Jesus' resurrection. Their intention was to embalm a dead body, demonstrating that they, like t…
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Last reviewed October 2026