And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text says they arrived "at the rising of the sun," which seems to conflict with "very early in the morning" and "when it was yet dark." This isn't a contradiction, but rather highlights a subtle progression: "very early" marks when they left, while "at the rising of the sun" describes the actual moment they reached the tomb, implying a slow dawn and a gradual, perhaps hesitant, journey towards the unimaginable event.
And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Sabbath has just ended, and as the first light of Sunday morning breaks, Mary Magdalene and other women head to Jesus' tomb. They had prepared spices the day before, intending to anoint his body, but now they're worried about how they'll move the massive stone sealing the tomb.
Why the rush to the tomb before sunrise? Discover the deep emotional and practical reasons behind their pre-dawn journey.
The women's journey to the tomb on that first Easter morning wasn't just an early start; it was a race against time and custom. They left 'very early in the morning,' even before the sun had fully risen. This timing is significant for a few reasons:
A Race Against Sabbath Rules
The Jewish Sabbath ended at sunset on Saturday. After that, they could finally prepare the spices they had bought to anoint Jesus' body. Their journey began as soon as it was permissible, showing their deep love and desire to honor Him.
Hope Amidst Darkness
Mark notes they came 'at the rising of the sun.' While some accounts mention it was still dark when they set out, the full arrival at the tomb coincided with the sun beginning to appear. This literal dawning of a new day mirrors the spiritual dawn breaking with Jesus' resurrection, transforming their grief into glorious hope. It's a powerful symbol of light overcoming darkness.
Driven by Love and Duty
Their actions were fueled by a profound love and sense of duty. Despite their sorrow and the uncertainty of the stone at the tomb's entrance, their immediate action demonstrates their commitment to Jesus.
This wasn't just any Sunday. Discover why the 'first day of the week' was a revolutionary marker in history and faith.
The phrase 'the first day of the week' is more than just a temporal marker; it's deeply symbolic. It marks the beginning of a new creation, a fresh start ushered in by Christ's resurrection.
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A New Beginning
This day replaced the Sabbath as the primary day of worship for Christians. It signifies that Christ's finished work on the cross and His resurrection didn't just fulfill the old covenant but inaugurated a new one. It's the day God broke the power of sin and death and began His work of making all things new.
Echoes of Creation
The first day of creation brought light out of darkness. The first day of the week, with Christ's resurrection, brought light and life out of the darkness of the tomb and despair. It's a powerful echo of God's original creative act, now demonstrating His power to recreate and redeem.
The Lord's Day
This day became known as the Lord's Day, a commemoration of Jesus' victory and His ongoing reign. It's a day set apart to remember and celebrate the transformative power of the resurrection.
Understand the original words
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 timing of the women's visit to the tomb is significant, occurring immediately after the Sabbath ended and at the earliest possible moment they could travel, reflecting both Jewish customs and their eager devotion.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus is crucified on Passover day and buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea just before the Sabbath begins.
c. 30-33 AD
Sabbath Observance
Jewish law mandated strict observance of the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, prohibiting work and travel beyond a limited distance.
c. 30-33 AD
Women's Preparations
After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchase spices to anoint Jesus' body, a task interrupted by His death and burial.
c. 30-33 AD
Resurrection Morning
The women set out very early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark and the sun was beginning to rise, to visit the tomb.
This passage describes Mary Magdalene arriving at the tomb 'while it was still dark,' contrasting with Mark's 'when the sun had risen' and highlighting the early morning confusion and the women's determination to reach the tomb at the earliest possible moment.
Matthew 28:1Matthew also mentions Mary Magdalene and 'the other Mary' coming to the tomb 'as it began to dawn,' which complements Mark's account by emphasizing the transition from darkness to light as they approached.
Luke 24:1Luke describes 'very early on the first day of the week' the women coming to the tomb with spices, aligning with Mark's timing and purpose, and setting the stage for their discovery of the empty tomb.
Psalm 22:1The title of this Psalm, 'Aijeleth Shahar' (often translated as 'The Hind of the Morning'), is linked by some commentators to the time of Christ's resurrection, symbolizing the dawning of a new day and hope, which resonates with the women's journey at sunrise.
clarkeMark 16:2: "And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."
Very early in the morning, - This was the time they left their own houses, and by the rising of the sun they got to the tomb. As the preceding day was the Sabbath, they could not, consistently with the observances of that day, approach the tomb. See the concluding notes at the end of John. The following observations from Lightfoot will serve to illustrate this subject. "T…
gillMark 16:2: "And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun."
And very early in the morning, the first day of the week,.... See Gill on Matthew 28:1 . They came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun; of the sun of righteousness, as Mr. Mede observes; or rather, of the natural sun: for though it was dark when they set out, and when it dawned towards the first day, yet by that time that they all got to the sepulchre, the sun was r…
The text says they arrived "at the rising of the sun," which seems to conflict with "very early in the morning" and "when it was yet dark." This isn't a contradiction, but rather highlights a subtle progression: "very early" marks when they left, while "at the rising of the sun" describes the actual moment they reached the tomb, implying a slow dawn and a gradual, perhaps hesitant, journey towards the unimaginable event.
The Sabbath has just ended, and as the first light of Sunday morning breaks, Mary Magdalene and other women head to Jesus' tomb. They had prepared spices the day before, intending to anoint his body, but now they're worried about how they'll move the massive stone sealing the tomb.
The Sabbath has just ended, and as the first light of Sunday morning breaks, Mary Magdalene and other women head to Jesus' tomb. They had prepared spices the day before, intending to anoint his body, but now they're worried about how they'll move the massive stone sealing the tomb.
"And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb." — The text says they arrived "at the rising of the sun," which seems to conflict with "very early in the morning" and "when it was yet dark." This isn't a contradiction, but rather highlights a subtle…
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Last reviewed October 2026