Luke 24:1 - Printer Friendly

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

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.

NASB: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

CSB: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.

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

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.

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.

It is Sunday morning and the women finally have opportunity to honor Jesus (Luke 23:55–56). Many of them had stood by and watched Jesus die. Mary Magdalene and another woman named Mary had followed Joseph of Arimathea to see where Jesus was buried. They and Salome have prepared additional spices to cover Jesus' body. Joanna and probably others are with them (Mark 15:40–41; 15:47—16:1).

When Joseph and Nicodemus buried Jesus, they wrapped a quantity of myrrh and aloe with the grave clothes (John 19:39). The women returned to where they were staying in Jerusalem and "prepared spices and ointments" (Luke 23:56). Starting that evening, they observed the Sabbath.

The morning after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome buy more spices (Mark 16:1). They have the supplies they need, but they're concerned: how are they going to roll away the stone at the entrance to the tomb (Mark 16:3)?

Mary Magdalene is one of the prominent disciples of Jesus in the Gospels. She supported Jesus financially after He cast out seven demons from her (Luke 8:2). Some traditions claim she is the woman who was caught in adultery (John 8:1–11), but there's no biblical evidence of this.

The other Mary is the wife of Clopas—sometimes called Alphaeus—and the mother of James and Joseph or Joses (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; Luke 6:15; John 19:25).

Salome is the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples (Matthew 27:56). She had asked Jesus to allow her sons to sit at His right and left in His kingdom (Matthew 20:20–21).

Joanna is also with them (Luke 24:10). Luke describes her as "the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager" (Luke 8:3). She also supported Jesus.

Luke 24:1–12 reports that the women who had prepared spices find Jesus' tomb empty. Mary Magdalene, Mary the wife of Clopas, Salome, Joanna, and possibly others saw where Jesus was buried and gathered spices before the Sabbath began. Early Sunday morning, they return but the stone is rolled away. Two angels remind them Jesus had promised to rise from the dead. They tell Peter who also finds the tomb empty. Mark 16:1–8 gives a similar account. Matthew 28:1–10 and John 20:1–18 say that the women meet Jesus and John is with Peter.

After Jesus is executed and buried (Luke 23:52–53), the women who had followed Him from Galilee come to improve His burial condition. They find an open, empty tomb and angels. The disciples are informed. Two of them spend time speaking with a stranger while walking, only to realize it was Jesus Himself. Jesus appears to His followers, eating fish and explaining how His role as Messiah was predicted in Scripture. Jesus then ascends to heaven while His disciples worship.

Luke 24 describes how Jesus' followers learned of His resurrection. Luke 23 recorded His legal trials, crucifixion, death, and burial. Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke, explains how Jesus' followers prepare for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church. Luke 24's theme is the fulfillment of prophecy from Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. Once Jesus' followers understand, He returns to heaven. Matthew 28 includes how the Sanhedrin bribed the guards. John chapter 20 adds Thomas coming to believe while chapter 21 records Peter's reconciliation with Jesus.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.