John 20:1

¶ 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.

{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}.

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.

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.

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.

John 20:1 marks the pivotal moment of the resurrection narrative, setting the scene for the most significant event in Christian history: the empty tomb.

Context

This verse immediately follows the somber accounts of Jesus' crucifixion and burial. The Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) had just concluded, and as the "first day of the week" (Sunday) began, Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower of Jesus, undertook a mournful journey to the sepulchre. Her early arrival, "when it was yet dark," underscores her profound grief and unwavering devotion, likely intending to complete the anointing of Jesus' body, a task interrupted by the approaching Sabbath (see Luke 23:56). This detail highlights her personal connection and dedication to Christ, even in death.

Key Themes

  • The Dawn of Resurrection: The "first day of the week" is profoundly significant, marking the beginning of a new creation and the triumph over death. It is the day Christians traditionally gather for worship, celebrating the Risen Lord and the victory Christ secured.
  • The Empty Tomb: Mary's discovery of "the stone taken away from the sepulchre" is the initial, concrete evidence of Jesus' resurrection. It shatters the disciples' despair and introduces the reality of new life. This discovery prompts Peter and John to investigate further (John 20:3-8).
  • Devotion and Witness: Mary Magdalene's persistent love and early arrival position her as the first human witness to the empty tomb, and later, the first to encounter the resurrected Christ Himself (John 20:14-16). Her role highlights the importance of faithful seeking and personal encounter with the Risen Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "early, when it was yet dark" (Greek: orthros eti skotias ouses) emphasizes the pre-dawn hour. The word orthros typically refers to dawn or early morning, but the addition of "yet dark" stresses that it was still night, before sunrise. This detail intensifies the atmosphere of anticipation and mystery surrounding Mary's discovery, highlighting her commitment to visit the tomb even in the deepest hours before light.

Practical Application

John 20:1 reminds believers that even in moments of profound grief or darkness, God is at work, bringing about unexpected and glorious new beginnings. Mary's diligent seeking, even when she expected only a grave, led her to the greatest discovery in history. For us, this verse encourages persistent faith and hope, even when circumstances seem bleak, knowing that the resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our hope and the promise of our own future resurrection (Romans 6:4). It inspires us to seek Christ diligently, for He is the source of all new life.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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