Mark 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 {G2532} very {G3029} early in the morning {G4404} the first {G3391} day of the week {G4521}, they came {G2064} unto {G1909} the sepulchre {G3419} at the rising {G393} of the sun {G2246}.

Very early the next day, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb.

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb.

And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen.

Mark 16:2 describes the solemn yet ultimately hopeful journey of the women to Jesus' tomb on the pivotal morning of His resurrection. This verse sets the scene for the most significant event in Christian history.

Context

Following the crucifixion and hurried burial of Jesus on Friday, the Sabbath (Saturday) had passed. The women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, as mentioned in Mark 16:1, had prepared spices and ointments. Their intention was to properly anoint Jesus' body, a common burial practice, which they could not complete before the Sabbath began. Mark 16:2 pinpoints the exact moment of their arrival: "very early in the morning the first [day] of the week, at the rising of the sun." This precision highlights the dawning of the new day, which would reveal an astonishing truth.

Key Themes

  • The Dawn of a New Era: The phrase "the first day of the week" is crucial. It signifies a new beginning, marking the day after the Sabbath, which was the first day of creation and now, supremely, the day of new creation through Christ's triumph over death. This timing is consistent across the Gospels (Matthew 28:1, Luke 24:1, John 20:1).
  • Faithful Devotion: Despite their grief and the apparent finality of Jesus' death, these women demonstrated remarkable faithfulness and courage. Their act of coming to the tomb, even with the practical concern of the stone (Mark 16:3), speaks to their deep love and commitment to Jesus.
  • Anticipation of Resurrection: Though they came to mourn and anoint, their early morning journey to the tomb directly precedes the discovery of the empty tomb and the announcement of the resurrection. This verse is the threshold to the ultimate hope of the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "first day of the week" is mia sabbatōn (μία σαββάτων), literally "one of the Sabbaths" or "the first day after the Sabbath." This terminology emphasizes the culmination of the week's cycle and the inauguration of a new one. "At the rising of the sun" (anateilantos tou hēliou) further stresses the precise moment of dawn, indicating that their arrival was exactly as the sun appeared on the horizon, dispelling the darkness and heralding the light of the resurrection.

Practical Application

Mark 16:2 reminds believers that even in moments of profound sorrow and perceived defeat, God is at work bringing about new life and hope. The women's diligent and faithful act, even when they did not fully grasp what was about to unfold, led them to witness the greatest miracle. For us, it underscores the importance of persistent devotion and seeking Christ, for it is often in our acts of faithfulness, even when we feel a sense of loss, that we encounter His transformative power and the hope of the resurrection.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 28:1

    ¶ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

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