Some of us rise early, even if it does not come naturally to us.
But for others, rising early is something they cherish. Why?
I can think of many reasons someone might cherish the wee hours of the day.
- It affords a quiet time of meditation before the demands of the day begin.
- An opportunity to enjoy the sunrise or other aspects of nature.
- A preferred time to exercise one’s body.
- Time to work on a personal hobby or even a second job.
- I’m sure there are other reasons too.
But none of these reasons explain why some rose early to go visit a tomb as shared in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Are You an Early Riser? | Parallel Passages on Early Risers
Read these parallel passages from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Resurrection |Matthew’s Gospel
28 Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [1]
The Resurrection |Mark’s Gospel
16 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”[2]
The Resurrection | Luke’s Gospel
24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared…10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, [3]
The Resurrection | John’s Gospel
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.[4]
Are You an Early Riser? | Study Questions
Make a list of those mentioned who rose early in the verses above.
Even though each gospel writer does not include the same list of people who rose early, what is identical about those that are included?
Only women are listed as rising early to go to the tomb.
Why might the men have avoided the tomb initially? (See Matthew 26:56, Mark 14:50, Luke 22:54-62, and John 20:19)
Culturally, women were not accepted as witnesses in legal matters in Jesus’ day. Yet, in the gospel narratives, it is emphasized that women (or Mary Magdalene specifically) were the first witnesses of the empty tomb or of Christ himself. (See Matthew 28:5-10, Mark 16:4-11, Luke 24:1-3, and John 20:1-18)
How does this strengthen the gospel message of Christ’s resurrection?
One possibility is that if the resurrection was simply an invention of the disciples, there is no way they would have chosen women to be the first to witness the empty tomb and Christ given the cultural bias against women.
Also, consider what God said to Adam in Genesis 3:17:
17 And to Adam he said,
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten of the tree
of which I commanded you,[5]
I think that by appearing to the women first; the Lord brought healing and restoration to the status of women back to His original intent. And by commissioning the women to be His witnesses to the male disciples, He is further resolving the curse of Genesis 3.
Why did the women go to the tomb?
We are told in two of the gospels that the women had prepared spices to anoint Jesus’ body. This would complete the burial process that was hastily rushed because of the Sabbath.
The women were not expecting to find an empty tomb or meet Jesus alive in those early hours.
They were simply showing faithful devotion to complete the burial process.
What practical reasons can you think of for why the women waited until the early hours to go?
All four gospel writers mention the timing of when these women went to the tomb. Two emphasize it is after the Sabbath and two state it was the first day of the week.
The Jewish Sabbath began at sunset on Friday night and ended at sunset on Saturday.
All the authors emphasize the women waited until the early morning hours before heading to the tomb.
Now consider the deeper significance of when they went to the tomb. (See Genesis 1:3-5, Ephesians 5:14, Exodus 40:1-2, and John 2:18-22.)
How do these passages add to your understanding?
Are You an Early Riser? | Application
What do you do first thing on Sunday morning, the first day of the week? Why?
How does Paul describe the importance of belief in the resurrection of Jesus? (See 1 Corinthians 15:12-19)
Does the resurrection of Christ make a difference in your everyday life? Why or why not?
The women in the gospels did not rise early with an expectation of meeting the risen Christ. Yet, that is what they experienced.
Rising early is one way you can meet with the risen Christ. What other options do you have for experiencing Jesus’ living presence in your daily life? Share your ideas in the comments after the footnotes to encourage others.
Consider Psalm 96 for some ideas as well.
Worship in the Splendor of Holiness
96 Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be feared above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved;
he will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12 let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13 before the Lord, for he comes,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
and the peoples in his faithfulness. [6]
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 28:1.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 16:1–3.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 23:55–24:10.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 20:1.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 3:17.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 96:1–13.