When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights the women's intention to anoint Jesus, but it's easy to miss that their actions are driven by deep affection and grief, not yet by faith in His promised resurrection. They are acting out of love for a dead Messiah, fulfilling funeral customs, unaware that the One they mourn is about to reveal Himself as victor over death.
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage picks up immediately after Jesus' burial on Friday. These faithful women, including Mary Magdalene and Salome, had observed the hasty embalming and, as soon as the Sabbath rest was over at sunset, prepared spices to properly anoint Jesus' body. They intended to carry out this act of love and mourning on Sunday morning, unaware of the monumental events that were about to unfold at the tomb.
These women rushed to buy spices just as the Sabbath ended. What drove their haste, and why is this detail so significant?
The women's purchase of spices right after the Sabbath is a powerful testament to their love and devotion.
A Love That Couldn't Wait
Jewish law strictly prohibited work on the Sabbath. This means the women either bought some spices before the Sabbath began (on Friday, as Luke 23:56 suggests) and planned to use them later, or they waited until the very moment the Sabbath ended to purchase any remaining necessities. The fact that they were ready to anoint Jesus so early on Sunday morning, as soon as it was permissible, shows their deep affection and desire to honor him, even in death.
The Purpose of the Anointing
Their intention was to anoint Jesus' body. This was a customary Jewish practice for burial, meant to prepare the body and provide a sweet fragrance. It highlights their grief and their human desire to perform the final acts of love for their Master. However, it also reveals a critical blind spot: they were focused on embalming a dead body, not anticipating a resurrected Lord, despite Jesus' own prior predictions.
Mark names three specific women at the tomb. Who were they, and what does their presence tell us about discipleship?
The specific naming of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome is intentional and speaks volumes about the nature of faithful discipleship.
Ask a follow-up
Witnesses to Love and Loss
These women represent a core group who remained faithful to Jesus even in his darkest hours. They were present at the crucifixion (implied by their later actions and identification) and now they are the first to seek him after the Sabbath.
The Unsung Heroes
These women, often overlooked in a patriarchal society, become the primary witnesses to Christ's death and the first heralds of his resurrection. Their courage and commitment, even when others fled or despaired, highlight that true discipleship isn't about status or recognition, but about faithful presence and action, fueled by love and gratitude.
Understand the original words
shabbath · Hebrew Noun
The seventh day of the Jewish week, set apart by God in the Decalogue as a day of rest and holiness, commemorating God's creation and deliverance from Egypt. In the New Testament, it marks the end of the old covenant order before the resurrection of Christ.
arōma · Greek Noun
Aromatic substances used in antiquity for burials to mask the odor of decay and as a mark of honor for the deceased. In this context, they signify the women's devotion and their expectation of finding a dead body.
aleiphō · Greek Verb
To smear or rub with oil or ointment. Biblically, it was a common practice for burial, but also a ritual act for setting apart kings, priests, and prophets for divine service.
The timing of these women's actions highlights the cultural and religious constraints of their day, while their devotion to Jesus, even in death, reveals a love that transcended those boundaries and sought to honor him fully.
Friday afternoon, c. AD 30
Jesus' Burial
After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus quickly prepare and bury his body before the start of the Sabbath. The women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, observe where he is laid.
Friday evening, c. AD 30
Women Purchase Spices
As the Sabbath approaches, these women purchase spices to complete the embalming. Due to the Sabbath's restrictions on work, they are unable to anoint Jesus' body at this time and must wait until after sunset.
Sabbath Day, c. AD 30
Sabbath Observance
The women, along with all Jewish people, observe the Sabbath, refraining from work. This period of rest allows for reflection but also delays their intended task of anointing Jesus' body.
Saturday evening/Sunday morning, c. AD 30— this verse
End of the Sabbath
The Sabbath period concludes at sunset on Saturday. The women can now resume their activities and prepare to go to the tomb early on Sunday morning.
This passage explains that the women prepared spices and ointments and rested on the Sabbath, directly preceding the action in Mark 16:1 and showing the preparation that led to their visit.
This account details Nicodemus bringing myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus' body, highlighting the custom of anointing the dead and the rushed burial that necessitated the women's subsequent actions.
Matthew 28:1This parallel account confirms the timing ('late on the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week') and names Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary' as present, complementing Mark's list of women.
Mark 16:9This verse immediately follows the buying of spices, showing that despite their intention to anoint Jesus' body, their first encounter was with the resurrected Lord himself, appearing first to Mary Magdalene.
wesleyMark 16:1: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him."
16:1 Mt 28:1; Lu 24:1; John 20:1.
gillMark 16:1: "And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him."
And when the sabbath was past,.... "In the end of it", as Matthew says, Matthew 28:1 ; not "when it was the sabbath", as the Arabic version reads; for it was not lawful to buy spices, and anoint with on the sabbath day; See Gill on Matthew 28:1 . Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome; who was the wife of Zebedee,…
The verse highlights the women's intention to anoint Jesus, but it's easy to miss that their actions are driven by deep affection and grief, not yet by faith in His promised resurrection. They are acting out of love for a dead Messiah, fulfilling funeral customs, unaware that the One they mourn is about to reveal Himself as victor over death.
This passage picks up immediately after Jesus' burial on Friday. These faithful women, including Mary Magdalene and Salome, had observed the hasty embalming and, as soon as the Sabbath rest was over at sunset, prepared spices to properly anoint Jesus' body. They intended to carry out this act of love and mourning on Sunday morning, unaware of the monumental events that were about to unfold at the tomb.
This passage picks up immediately after Jesus' burial on Friday. These faithful women, including Mary Magdalene and Salome, had observed the hasty embalming and, as soon as the Sabbath rest was over at sunset, prepared spices to properly anoint Jesus' body. They intended to carry out this act of love and mourning on Sunday morning, unaware of the monumental events that were about to unfold at the tomb.
"When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him." — The verse highlights the women's intention to anoint Jesus, but it's easy to miss that their actions are driven by deep affection and grief, not yet by faith in His promised resurrection. They are ac…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026