John 20:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} The first {G3391} day of the week {G4521} cometh {G2064} Mary {G3137} Magdalene {G3094} early {G4404}, when it was {G5607} yet {G2089} dark {G4653}, unto {G1519} the sepulchre {G3419}, and {G2532} seeth {G991} the stone {G3037} taken away {G142} from {G1537} the sepulchre {G3419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Miryam from Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

Berean Standard Bible

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

American Standard Version

Now on the firstdayof the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 20:1 marks the dramatic opening of the resurrection narrative, depicting Mary Magdalene's early morning journey to Jesus' tomb. Arriving while it was still dark, she discovers the massive stone sealing the sepulchre has been miraculously removed, setting the stage for the profound revelation of the empty tomb and initiating the unfolding events of Christ's triumph over death. This verse transitions the narrative from the somber crucifixion and burial to the glorious dawn of new creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, death, and hasty burial (John 19:17-42). The preceding chapter concludes with Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus placing Jesus' body in a new tomb and rolling a stone against its entrance. John 20:1 thus serves as the narrative pivot, shifting from the finality of death and burial to the anticipation of new life. It initiates the sequence of events that confirm the resurrection, beginning with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, followed by Peter and John's investigation, and culminating in Jesus' appearances to His disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem, specifically a garden tomb outside the city walls, likely near Golgotha. The "first day of the week" refers to Sunday, the day after the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). Jewish burial customs involved anointing the body with spices, a process that would have been interrupted by the approaching Sabbath at sundown on Friday. Mary Magdalene's early arrival "when it was yet dark" indicates her profound devotion and urgency to complete these traditional rites of mourning and preparation, even before sunrise. The sepulchre would have been a rock-cut tomb, sealed by a large, heavy stone rolled into a groove, requiring significant effort to move.
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse introduces several pivotal themes that permeate the resurrection account. It immediately establishes **The Dawn of Resurrection**, marking the "first day of the week" as the beginning of a new creation and the ultimate triumph over death, a day that would become central to Christian worship (see [Acts 20:7](/acts/20-7 "Acts 20:7 - Breaking Bread on the First Day")). The discovery of **The Empty Tomb** is the initial, tangible evidence of Jesus' resurrection, shattering the disciples' despair and introducing the reality of new life, a theme further explored as Peter and John investigate (compare [Luke 24:1-3](/luke/24-1-3 "Luke 24:1-3 - Women Find the Empty Tomb")). Mary Magdalene's **Devotion and Witness** are highlighted by her early arrival, positioning her as the first human witness to the empty tomb, and later, the first to encounter the resurrected Christ Himself, underscoring the importance of faithful seeking and personal encounter with the Risen Lord (as seen in [John 20:14-16](/john/20-14-16 "John 20:14-16 - Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **first (Greek, _mía'_):** Derived from the Greek word for "one," here it signifies ordinality, marking the "first day of the week." This is profoundly significant as it points to Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection, establishing it as the inaugural day of the new creation and the Christian week of worship, replacing the Sabbath as the focal point of sacred time.
* **dark (Greek, _skotía'_):** This term denotes dimness or obscurity, emphasizing that Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb before sunrise, while it was still night. This detail underscores her profound grief, unwavering devotion, and urgent desire to complete the burial rites, even in the absence of natural light, symbolizing the spiritual darkness that initially enveloped the disciples before the light of the resurrection dawned.
* **taken away (Greek, _aírō'_):** A primary root meaning "to lift up" or "to take up or away." In this context, it describes the physical removal of the heavy stone from the entrance of the sepulchre. This action is not merely a practical detail but a powerful symbol of the barrier between death and life being removed, signifying that the grave could not hold Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early":** This clause establishes the precise timing of Mary Magdalene's arrival at the tomb, marking the dawn of Sunday, the day following the Sabbath. Her early arrival highlights her deep devotion and urgency, driven by grief and the desire to complete the anointing of Jesus' body, a task interrupted by the Sabbath.
* **"when it was yet dark":** This detail further specifies the pre-dawn hour, emphasizing that Mary arrived while it was still night. This adds a layer of solemnity and mystery, reflecting the spiritual darkness and despair felt by the disciples before the revelation of the resurrection, and underscoring Mary's unwavering commitment despite the challenging conditions.
* **"unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre":** This describes Mary's destination and her shocking discovery. Her purpose in coming to the sepulchre was likely to mourn and anoint the body. However, upon arrival, she observes that the massive stone, which sealed the tomb, had been removed. This unexpected sight immediately signals that something extraordinary, and potentially alarming, has occurred, setting the stage for the revelation of the empty tomb.

#### Literary Devices
John employs several literary devices in this concise verse to amplify its profound significance. **Symbolism** is prominent: the "darkness" (Greek: _skotía_) represents not only the literal pre-dawn hour but also the spiritual despair and confusion that enveloped Jesus' followers after His death, contrasting sharply with the "light" of the impending resurrection. The "stone taken away" serves as a powerful **symbol** of the barrier between life and death being removed, signifying the triumph of Christ over the grave. The narrative also employs subtle **foreshadowing**, as Mary's discovery of the empty tomb hints at the miraculous event that has transpired, building suspense before the full revelation of Jesus' resurrection. Furthermore, there is an element of **irony** in Mary's diligent journey to minister to a dead body, only to be met with the first tangible evidence of a living Lord.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 20:1 serves as the theological hinge of the Gospel, transitioning from the sorrow of the cross to the triumph of the resurrection. The "first day of the week" is not merely a temporal marker but a theological statement, signifying the beginning of a new creation, a new covenant, and a new era inaugurated by Christ's victory over sin and death. This day, Sunday, would become the normative day for Christian worship, commemorating the resurrection and anticipating the new heavens and new earth. Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb is the initial, irrefutable evidence that God's plan of salvation has culminated in a glorious and unexpected way, validating Jesus' claims and prophecies regarding His resurrection. It confirms that the cross was not the end, but the necessary prelude to the ultimate victory.

* [Mark 16:1-4](/mark/16-1-4 "Mark 16:1-4 - Women at the Tomb")
* [Luke 24:1-3](/luke/24-1-3 "Luke 24:1-3 - The Empty Tomb")
* [Matthew 28:1-2](/matthew/28-1-2 "Matthew 28:1-2 - The Resurrection Morning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 20:1 invites us to reflect on the nature of hope in the face of despair. Mary Magdalene's journey to the tomb, undertaken "when it was yet dark," speaks volumes about her unwavering devotion and grief. She went expecting to find a corpse, yet encountered the first sign of life. This challenges us to persist in our faith even when circumstances appear bleak or when we are enveloped in spiritual darkness. Just as Mary's diligent seeking led her to the greatest discovery in history, our persistent pursuit of Christ, even through our doubts and sorrows, can lead to profound encounters with His living presence. The empty tomb is a powerful reminder that God is capable of bringing light out of darkness, life out of death, and hope out of despair. It encourages us to live with the confident expectation that Christ's resurrection has transformed the very fabric of reality, offering us new life and a future filled with His triumphant grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Mary Magdalene's early morning journey, "when it was yet dark," resonate with your own experiences of seeking God in difficult or uncertain times?**
* **What does the "stone taken away" symbolize for you personally in terms of barriers or obstacles that Christ has overcome in your life?**
* **How does the significance of the "first day of the week" impact your understanding of Sunday worship and the newness of life in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb so early, while it was still dark?**

Answer: Mary Magdalene's early arrival, "when it was yet dark," underscores her profound grief, unwavering devotion, and urgent desire to complete the burial rituals for Jesus. According to Jewish custom, bodies were anointed with spices, a process that would have been interrupted by the start of the Sabbath at sundown on Friday (as noted in [Luke 23:56](/luke/23-56 "Luke 23:56 - Women Prepare Spices")). As soon as the Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday, and the new day (Sunday) began, Mary Magdalene, driven by love and sorrow, wasted no time in going to the sepulchre to finish preparing Jesus' body, even before the sun had risen. This detail highlights her exceptional commitment and personal connection to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 20:1, with its stark image of the empty tomb on the "first day of the week," is the foundational scene for Christ-centered fulfillment. The removal of the stone and the absence of Jesus' body are the initial, tangible proofs that the grave could not hold the Son of God. This moment fulfills the Old Testament prophecies of a resurrected Messiah (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol")), and validates Jesus' own predictions of His rising on the third day (e.g., [Matthew 16:21](/matthew/16-21 "Matthew 16:21 - Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection")). The "first day of the week" becomes the new creation day, signaling that Christ's resurrection is not merely a resuscitation but the inauguration of a new humanity and a new covenant, where death's sting is removed and eternal life is offered to all who believe (as powerfully articulated in [1 Corinthians 15:20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ, the Firstfruits")). Jesus, as the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep, ensures that His victory over death is the promise and pattern for the resurrection of all believers (see [Romans 6:4-5](/romans/6-4-5 "Romans 6:4-5 - Newness of Life Through Resurrection")). Thus, Mary's discovery is the dawn of the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 16:9

¶ Now when [Jesus] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Matthew 27:60

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Mark 15:46

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

John 20:26

¶ And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: [then] came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace [be] unto you.

John 19:25

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

Luke 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.

Luke 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and other [women that were] with them, which told these things unto the apostles.