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 24:1KJVWhat does Luke 24:1 mean?
Luke 24:1 describes how, very early on the first day of the week, a group of women came to Jesus’ tomb bringing spices they had prepared. They intended to honor Jesus’ body according to burial customs, not expecting to find the tomb empty.
This verse is set just after Jesus’ crucifixion and burial. The women, followers of Jesus, are acting out of devotion and respect, coming at dawn after the Sabbath had ended. The mention of “the first day of the week” signals Sunday, which becomes significant in Christian tradition as the day of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Greek behind Luke 24:1
- ἡμέρα (hēmera, “day”) and σαββάτων (sabbatōn, “week”): The phrase “first day of the week” uses the Greek word for “one” or “first” (μία, mia) and “week” (σαββάτων, sabbatōn), which literally means “one of the Sabbaths,” a way of referring to Sunday in Jewish reckoning.
- ὄρθρου βαθέως (orthrou batheōs, “very early in the morning”): This phrase emphasizes how early the women came, likely just before sunrise, showing their eagerness and devotion.
- ἦλθον (ēlthon, “they came”): The verb here is plural, confirming that more than one woman was present, which matches the mention of “certain others with them.”
- ἀρώματα (arōmata, “spices”): These were aromatic substances used to anoint a body, showing the women’s intent to care for Jesus’ body according to Jewish burial practices.
Why Luke 24:1 matters
- Luke 24:1 sets the stage for the discovery of the empty tomb, which is central to the resurrection story.
- The verse highlights the devotion and faithfulness of the women, who come prepared to honor Jesus even after his death.
- By specifying “the first day of the week,” Luke connects this event to the Christian practice of gathering on Sunday, underlining its importance in Christian tradition.