Luke 24 1

Luke 24:1 kjv

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 24:1 nkjv

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

Luke 24:1 niv

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.

Luke 24:1 esv

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

Luke 24:1 nlt

But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.

Luke 24 verses

Luke 24 1 Meaning

Luke 24:1 records the early morning visit of devoted women to the tomb of Jesus on the first day of the week, intending to anoint His body with the spices they had carefully prepared. This action, born of love and sorrow, sets the stage for the earth-shattering discovery of the empty tomb and the dawn of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Luke 24 1 Context

Luke 24:1 immediately follows the account of Jesus' crucifixion, burial, and the Sabbath. Chapter 23 ends with Joseph of Arimathea placing Jesus' body in a new tomb, and the women, after observing where the body was laid, returning home to prepare spices and ointments. They then "rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment" (Lk 23:56). Therefore, Luke 24:1 begins the very next morning, at the earliest lawful opportunity after the Sabbath, when the women are continuing their mournful devotion. Their intent is to perform a full, reverential anointing of Jesus' body, a common practice for deceased loved ones in Jewish culture to honor and, for them, perhaps to temporarily preserve the body from decay. The historical backdrop includes the sealing of the tomb by Roman guard at the request of the Jewish leaders (mentioned in Matt 27:62-66), though Luke does not emphasize this detail at this point, but it reinforces the human expectation that Jesus' burial was permanent.

Luke 24 1 Word analysis

• Now (Δέ - De): This Greek particle serves as a mild conjunction, connecting the narrative seamlessly from the end of Chapter 23. It signifies a transition, "but" or "and now," linking the women's Sabbath rest to their morning activity.
• upon the first day of the week (Τῇ δὲ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων - Tē de mia tōn sabbatōn): This phrase, literally "on the one of the Sabbaths" or "on the first day after the Sabbath," distinctly identifies the day. This day is Sunday, marking the dawn of the Christian calendar and recalling God's "first day" of creation (Gen 1:5), symbolically establishing it as the day of "new creation" through Christ's resurrection. It indicates the break from the Jewish Sabbath as the primary day of rest and worship.
• very early in the morning (ὄρθρου βαθέος - Orthrou batheos): "Deep dawn" or "deep morning." This vividly describes a time when it was still quite dark, pre-sunrise, but the very first hints of light might be appearing. It underscores the women's urgency, devotion, and determination, rising at the earliest possible moment after the Sabbath rest. This deep dawn symbolically precedes the light of the resurrection truth.
• they (αὐταί - autai): Refers directly to "the women who had come with him from Galilee" (Lk 23:55). These were faithful followers of Jesus, later specified as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other unnamed women (Lk 24:10). Luke emphasizes their collective action and witness.
• came unto the sepulchre (ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸ μνῆμα - ēlthon epi to mnēma): This indicates their purposeful journey to the "tomb" (mnēma). A mnēma was typically a memorial or monument for the dead, implying a permanent resting place. Their act was one of solemn mourning and final respects, confirming their belief that Jesus' physical death was final.
• bringing the spices which they had prepared (φέρουσαι ἃ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα - pherousai ha hētoimasan arōmata): "Bringing what they had prepared, spices." The act of "bringing" signifies carrying their intentions and efforts. "Spices" (arōmata) were costly aromatic resins and compounds used for embalming or anointing the dead to mask the smell of decomposition and show honor. This detail reiterates their specific, sorrowful purpose for coming to the tomb, linking directly to Luke 23:56 where they prepared these on Friday evening before the Sabbath. Their human efforts were to minister to a deceased body, not to witness a living Savior.
• and certain others with them (καί τινες σὺν αὐταῖς - kai tines syn autais): This addition by Luke suggests a larger group beyond those individually named later. It strengthens the credibility of the subsequent testimony to the empty tomb by indicating multiple eyewitnesses and highlights the broader devotion of many women disciples.

Luke 24 1 Bonus section

The prominence of women as the first witnesses to the empty tomb (and by extension, the resurrection, as they were told by angels to spread the news) is a notable historical and theological point. In ancient Jewish society, the testimony of women was often not admissible in court. Yet, God sovereignly chose women to be the primary recipients of the resurrection message and the first evangelists. This not only challenges cultural norms but also underscores that God's ways are often counter-cultural and His choice of witnesses is based on faithfulness, not social status or gender. Their presence also contrasts with the scattered male disciples, highlighting their unwavering loyalty even after Jesus' death. Their "bringing the spices" signifies a practical, grounded love, moving into action where others were paralyzed by fear or grief. This prepares the audience to see that God elevates the humble and uses the seemingly least expected to usher in His greatest work.

Luke 24 1 Commentary

Luke 24:1 is the pivot point of the Gospel narrative, shifting from the desolation of the cross to the triumph of the resurrection. The devotion of the women, rising "very early in the morning" to perform traditional burial rites, powerfully highlights the contrast between human expectation and divine reality. Their meticulous preparation of "spices" signifies their loving, yet ultimately misguided, intention to anoint a deceased body. They come prepared for death, only to be met by life. The designation of "the first day of the week" is profoundly significant, establishing the timing of Jesus' resurrection as the dawn of a new era, echoing the creative act of God on the first day of creation. This seemingly simple act of mournful devotion ushers in the most crucial event in human history. It reminds believers that even in deepest sorrow and unmet expectations, God is always at work doing a "new thing," far beyond what we could anticipate.