And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

MARK 16:2KJV
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Mark 16:2 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:2 mean?

Mark 16:2 describes how, very early on the first day of the week, a group of women went to Jesus’ tomb just as the sun was rising. The verse sets the scene for what they would discover there, marking the beginning of the resurrection account.

This verse is part of Mark’s telling of the events after Jesus’ crucifixion. The women mentioned earlier in the chapter are going to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, following Jewish burial customs. The detail that it is “the first day of the week” and “at the rising of the sun” highlights both the timing (Sunday morning) and the sense of urgency and devotion shown by these women.

The Greek behind Mark 16:2

  • πρωῒ (prōi, “morning”): This word often refers to the very early hours, just before or around dawn, emphasizing how early the women arrived.
  • μιᾷ (mia, “first”): This is the Greek word for “first,” pointing to Sunday, the first day after the Sabbath, which is significant in the context of resurrection.
  • σαββάτων (sabbatōn, “week”): While this word can mean “Sabbath,” here it is used in a way that refers to the week, clarifying the timing as the day after the Sabbath.
  • ἀνατείλαντος (anateilantos, “rising”): This word refers to the rising or dawning, specifically of the sun, which helps set the exact time of the women’s arrival.

Why Mark 16:2 matters

  • Mark 16:2 clarifies that the women came to the tomb at the very start of the week, which is why Christians later associated Sunday with the resurrection.
  • The verse emphasizes the devotion and courage of the women, who went to the tomb at the earliest possible moment, despite the risks and uncertainties.
  • By noting the time and the people involved, Mark 16:2 sets up the discovery of the empty tomb, a key moment in the resurrection story.

Where else these words appear

“rising” Greek G393 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
  • Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

“morning” Greek G4404 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Mark 11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
  • 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.

“very” Greek G3029 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

“sun” Greek G2246 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
  • Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,