These women weren't just casually buying spices after the Sabbath; they were returning to complete a burial ritual that was rushed because of Jesus's burial before the Sabbath began. Their action reveals a deep, if currently uncomprehending, devotion that compelled them to honor His body, even as they seemed to have forgotten His promised resurrection.
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
With the Sabbath at its end, marking the close of a period of deep mourning and strict observance, Mary Magdalene and two other women gather purchased spices. They intend to finish the anointing and embalming of Jesus' body, a task begun hastily before His burial as the Sabbath laws took effect. This act of devoted love is undertaken with the belief that His body still needs proper care, unaware of the imminent, world-shattering event that will soon unfold.
The Sabbath has ended, and a new day dawns. For these women, it's not just any new day, but the first day of the week – a day for action fueled by love, even before they knew the full story.
Mark 16:1 places us right at the cusp of the resurrection morning. The Sabbath, a day of rest, is over. As soon as it's permissible, these devoted women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, are out buying spices.
Driven by Love, Not Full Understanding
They were acting out of deep affection and a desire to honor Jesus, even though the resurrection itself was still a surprise to them.
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It wasn't a crowd, but a small, determined group. Mark names them specifically, highlighting their shared purpose in the shadow of grief and the dawn of a new reality.
Mark singles out three women: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. This isn't just a list; it’s a testament to the active role women played in Jesus' ministry and the events surrounding His death and resurrection.
Key Figures in the Story
These women, bound by their love for Jesus, united in a mission that would place them at the very heart of the most significant event in history. Their presence underscores that devotion isn't limited by status or circumstance; it's a call to action.
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.
mnēmeion · Greek Noun
A place of burial; a grave. In the Gospels, it refers to a rock-hewn chamber where the body of Jesus was placed, serving as the site of his death and subsequent resurrection.
The detailed timing of the women buying spices and arriving at the tomb highlights their deep love and devotion, even as they struggled to grasp Jesus' own predictions of His resurrection.
Friday, shortly after crucifixion
Women prepare spices
Following Jesus' hurried burial before the Sabbath began, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased spices to complete the embalming. This was done quickly as the Sabbath observance approached.
Friday sunset to Saturday sunset
Sabbath observance
Jewish law prohibited all work on the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. The women observed this rest, setting aside their plan to anoint Jesus' body until after sundown.
Saturday sunset / Sunday dawn— this verse
Spices purchased and arrival at tomb
As the Sabbath ended at sunset, the women could resume their preparations. They arrived at the tomb very early on Sunday morning, likely while it was still dark, intending to anoint Jesus' body.
Sunday morning
Discovery of empty tomb
Upon arriving at the tomb, the women found the large stone rolled away and the tomb empty, indicating Jesus' resurrection.
Sunday morning
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene
Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene shortly after the discovery of the empty tomb, though she initially did not recognize him.
This passage shows the women preparing spices before the Sabbath, highlighting their diligent, loving intent that continues into Mark 16:1 even after the Sabbath has passed.
John mentions Nicodemus bringing spices for burial, complementing Mark's account by showing that some preparations were already made, yet these women still felt compelled to add their own loving service.
Matthew 28:1Matthew's parallel account names the same women and mentions the timing ('late on the Sabbath day, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week'), providing a fuller picture of the transition from Sabbath rest to their urgent mission.
Mark 16:9This verse directly follows the buying of spices, showing the immediate, transformative impact of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene, turning their anointing mission into the first witness of the resurrection.
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,…
These women weren't just casually buying spices after the Sabbath; they were returning to complete a burial ritual that was rushed because of Jesus's burial before the Sabbath began. Their action reveals a deep, if currently uncomprehending, devotion that compelled them to honor His body, even as they seemed to have forgotten His promised resurrection.
With the Sabbath at its end, marking the close of a period of deep mourning and strict observance, Mary Magdalene and two other women gather purchased spices. They intend to finish the anointing and embalming of Jesus' body, a task begun hastily before His burial as the Sabbath laws took effect. This act of devoted love is undertaken with the belief that His body still needs proper care, unaware of the imminent, world-shattering event that will soon unfold.
With the Sabbath at its end, marking the close of a period of deep mourning and strict observance, Mary Magdalene and two other women gather purchased spices. They intend to finish the anointing and embalming of Jesus' body, a task begun hastily before His burial as the Sabbath laws took effect. This act of devoted love is undertaken with the belief that His body still needs proper care, unaware of the imminent, world-shattering event that will soon unfold.
"When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb." — These women weren't just casually buying spices after the Sabbath; they were returning to complete a burial ritual that was rushed because of Jesus's burial before the Sabbath began. Their action rev…
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Last reviewed October 2026
