Luke 24:1
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.
On the first day of the week
This phrase marks a significant transition from the Jewish Sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, which would become the Lord's Day in Christian tradition. The Greek term used here is "μία τῶν σαββάτων" (mia tōn sabbatōn), which literally means "one of the Sabbaths," indicating the day after the Sabbath. This day is pivotal in Christian history as it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing new beginnings and the fulfillment of God's promises. The early church recognized this day as a time for worship and celebration of the risen Lord, setting a precedent for Sunday worship.

very early in the morning
The Greek phrase "ὄρθρου βαθέως" (orthrou batheōs) suggests the time just before dawn, emphasizing the dedication and urgency of the women. This timing reflects their deep devotion and eagerness to honor Jesus, even in death. Historically, this was a time of day associated with new beginnings and hope, aligning with the resurrection theme. The early morning light symbolizes the dawning of a new era in salvation history, as the darkness of death is dispelled by the light of Christ's resurrection.

the women came to the tomb
The women mentioned here are identified in other Gospel accounts as Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others. Their presence is significant, as women were the first witnesses to the resurrection, a fact that underscores the radical nature of the Gospel message in elevating the status of women in a patriarchal society. The Greek verb "ἦλθον" (ēlthon) indicates a purposeful action, showing their commitment to Jesus even after His crucifixion. This act of coming to the tomb demonstrates their love and loyalty, serving as an example of faithfulness for all believers.

bringing the spices they had prepared
The preparation and bringing of spices, "ἤνεγκον ἃ ἡτοίμασαν" (ēnenkon ha hētoimasan), was a customary act of anointing the dead, intended to honor Jesus and complete the burial rites. This reflects the women's devotion and respect for Jesus, even in death. The act of preparing spices also highlights their expectation of finding Jesus' body, underscoring the surprise and joy that would follow upon discovering the empty tomb. This preparation signifies the human tendency to cling to the past, while God was orchestrating a new reality through the resurrection. The spices, though unnecessary in the end, symbolize the transition from death to life, from mourning to rejoicing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Women
These are the faithful followers of Jesus who came to anoint His body. They include Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others. Their devotion and courage are evident as they approach the tomb despite the potential dangers.

2. The Tomb
The burial place of Jesus, which was provided by Joseph of Arimathea. It is significant as the site of the resurrection, marking the transition from death to life.

3. The First Day of the Week
This refers to Sunday, the day after the Jewish Sabbath. It is significant as the day of Jesus' resurrection, which is why Christians traditionally worship on Sunday.

4. The Spices
These were prepared by the women to anoint Jesus' body, a customary practice to honor the deceased and mitigate the odor of decay.

5. Very Early in the Morning
This indicates the women's eagerness and dedication to honor Jesus, showing their love and respect for Him even after His death.
Teaching Points
Faithful Devotion
The women exemplify unwavering devotion to Jesus. Their actions challenge us to consider how we can demonstrate our love and commitment to Christ in our daily lives.

Courage in Uncertainty
Despite potential risks, the women went to the tomb. This teaches us to act courageously in our faith, even when faced with uncertainty or fear.

The Significance of the Resurrection
The resurrection is central to Christian faith, affirming Jesus' victory over sin and death. It calls us to live in the hope and power of the risen Christ.

The Role of Women in the Gospel
The prominent role of women in the resurrection account highlights their importance in God's plan and challenges cultural norms of the time. It encourages us to value and support the contributions of women in the church today.

The New Beginning
The first day of the week symbolizes a new beginning, reminding us that in Christ, we are new creations. It invites us to embrace the new life and opportunities God provides.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the women's dedication and actions in Luke 24:1 about our own commitment to Christ?

2. How does the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week influence the way we view Sunday worship and rest?

3. In what ways can we demonstrate courage in our faith, similar to the women who visited the tomb?

4. How does the resurrection account in Luke 24:1-12 connect with Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 about the importance of the resurrection?

5. Reflect on the role of women in the resurrection account. How can we apply this understanding to support and encourage women in our church communities today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 28:1-10
This passage parallels Luke 24:1, providing additional details about the resurrection morning and the angelic announcement.

Mark 16:1-8
Offers another account of the women visiting the tomb, emphasizing their initial fear and amazement.

John 20:1-18
Focuses on Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ, highlighting her role as the first witness to the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Paul affirms the resurrection as a foundational truth of the Gospel, connecting it to the fulfillment of Scriptures.
I Know!Dwight L. MoodyLuke 24:1
The Ascension of ChristVariousLuke 24:1
The First Easter SunriseAlexander MaclarenLuke 24:1
A Present ChristH. R. Harris.Luke 24:1-10
An Easter SermonD. O. Clark.Luke 24:1-10
Angels as RemembrancersH. Melvill, B. D.Luke 24:1-10
Christ is RisenW. M. Statham, B. A.Luke 24:1-10
Christ, a Quickening SpiritJ. H. Newman, D. D.Luke 24:1-10
Easter Among the GravesRantenberg.Luke 24:1-10
Easter BrightnessVan Oosterzee.Luke 24:1-10
Easter Good NewsJ. G. Angley, M. A.Luke 24:1-10
Easter MorningArndt.Luke 24:1-10
LessonsJames Foote, M. A.Luke 24:1-10
RisenJ. Vaughan, M. A.Luke 24:1-10
The Easter FestivalSchmid.Luke 24:1-10
The First Easter MorningVan Oosterzee.Luke 24:1-10
The First Pilgrims to the Holy SepulchreVan Oosterzee.Luke 24:1-10
The Living ChristThe Weekly PulpitLuke 24:1-10
The Living DeadA. Maclaren, D. D.Luke 24:1-10
The Living not Among the DeadCanon Liddon.Luke 24:1-10
The Lord is Risen IndeedC. H. Spurgeon.Luke 24:1-10
The Lord's DayJ. Pulsford.Luke 24:1-10
The Open GraveHofacker.Luke 24:1-10
The Resurrection of ChristW. M. Punshon, D. D.Luke 24:1-10
The Resurrection of ChristJ. Foot, D. D.Luke 24:1-10
Side-Lights from the ResurrectionVarious Authors Luke 24:1-12
The Resurrection DiscoveredR.M. Edgar Luke 24:1-12
People
Cleopas, James, Jesus, Joanna, Mary, Peter, Simon
Places
Bethany, Emmaus, Galilee, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Road to Emmaus
Topics
Aromatic, Bearing, Body, Bringing, Dawn, Early, Got, Indeed, Morning, Morrow, Prepared, Ready, Sabbath, Sabbaths, Sepulcher, Sepulchre, Spices, Taking, Tomb, Week, Women
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Luke 24:1

     4490   ointment
     4918   dawn
     4921   day
     5241   burial
     5303   embalming

Luke 24:1-3

     4366   stones
     4945   history

Luke 24:1-6

     7930   Lord's Day, the
     9311   resurrection, of Christ

Luke 24:1-8

     2012   Christ, authority
     6704   peace, divine NT

Luke 24:1-10

     2421   gospel, historical foundation

Luke 24:1-11

     5745   women

Luke 24:1-12

     2555   Christ, resurrection appearances

Luke 24:1-18

     1436   reality

Luke 24:1-33

     7241   Jerusalem, significance

Library
Good Friday
Eversley, 1856. St. Luke xxiv. 5, 6. "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen." This is a very solemn day; for on this day the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. The question for us is, how ought we to keep it? that is, what sort of thoughts ought to be in our minds upon this day? Now, many most excellent and pious persons, and most pious books, seem to think that we ought to-day to think as much as possible of the sufferings of our Blessed Lord; and because we
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

February 11 Morning
They that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord harkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.--MAL. 3:16. It came to pass that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.--Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst ot them.--My fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Let the word of Christ dwell in
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

March 23 Evening
They constrained him, saying, Abide with us.--LUKE 24:29. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.--Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?--I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

September 18 Morning
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.--PSA. 119:18. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.--It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.--I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.--We have received, not the spirit of
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

December 7. "Abide with Us; for it is Toward Evening" (Luke xxiv. 29).
"Abide with us; for it is toward evening" (Luke xxiv. 29). In His last messages to the disciples in the 14th and 15th chapters of John, the Lord Jesus clearly teaches us that the very essence of the highest holiness is, "Abide in Me, and I in you, for without Me ye can do nothing." The very purpose of the Holy Ghost whom He promised was to reveal Him, that at "that day, ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in Me, and I in you," and the closing echo of His intercessory prayer was embraced
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Peter Alone with Jesus
'The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.' --LUKE xxiv. 34. The other appearances of the risen Lord to individuals on the day of Resurrection are narrated with much particularity, and at considerable length. John gives us the lovely account of our Lord's conversation with Mary Magdalene, Luke gives us in full detail the story of the interview with the two travellers on the road to Emmaus. Here is another appearance, known to 'the eleven, and them that were with them' on the Resurrection
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The First Easter Sunrise
'Now, upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came onto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Risen Lord's Self-Revelation to Wavering Disciples
'And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. 16. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. 17. And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18. And
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Meal at Emmaus
'And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight.'--LUKE xxiv. 30, 31. Perhaps the most striking characteristic of the Gospel accounts of our Lord's intercourse with His disciples, in the interval between the Resurrection and His Ascension, is the singular union of mystery and simplicity which they present. There is a certain air of remoteness and depth
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Triumphant End
'And as they thus spake, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39. Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have. 40. And when He had thus spoken, He shewed them His hands and His feet. 41. And while
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

Christ's Witnesses
'Ye are witnesses of these things. 49. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.'--LUKE xxiv. 48, 49. Luke's account of the Resurrection and subsequent forty days is so constructed as to culminate in this appointment of the disciples to their high functions and equipment for it, by the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Evangelist has evidently in view his second 'treatise,' and is here preparing the link of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Living Dead
'Why seek ye the living among the dead! 6. He is not here, but is risen.'--LUKE xxiv. 5,6. We can never understand the utter desolation of the days that lay betwixt Christ's Death and His Resurrection. Our faith rests on centuries. We know that that grave was not even an interruption to the progress of His work, but was the straight road to His triumph and His glory. We know that it was the completion of the work of which the raising of the widow's son and of Lazarus were but the beginnings. But
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Ascension
'And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. 51. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.' --LUKE xxiv. 50, 51. 'And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight.'--ACTS i. 9. Two of the four Evangelists, viz., Matthew and John, have no record of the Ascension. But the argument which infers ignorance from silence, which is always rash,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

"I Know!"
The man of God who has fixed his feet on the rock of salvation can say with certainty, "I know." If you have not got assurance and want it, just believe God's Word. If you go down South and ask those three million colored people how they think they are free, they won't talk about their feelings; they just believe that Abraham Lincoln made them free. They believe the proclamation, and so we must believe the proclamation God has made in the Bible. "One thing thou teachest," that is salvation. [Illustration:
Dwight L. Moody—Moody's Anecdotes And Illustrations

Spiritual Power.
"And behold I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high."--ST. LUKE xxiv. 49. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."--ACTS i. 8. To-day we are celebrating the last of the series of historical festivals which mark the springtime of our Christian year. And without this one the rest would leave us with a sense of incompleteness; for we should be without its gift of the abiding and indwelling
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xxiv. 36, "He Himself Stood in the Midst of Them, and Saith unto Them, Peace be unto You," Etc.
1. The Lord appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, as ye have heard, and saluted them, saying, "Peace be unto you." [3554] This is peace indeed, and the salutation of salvation: for the very word salutation has received its name from salvation. [3555] And what can be better than that Salvation Itself should salute man? For Christ is our Salvation. He is our Salvation, who was wounded for us, and fixed by nails to the tree, and being taken down from the tree, was laid in the sepulchre.
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

Beginning at Jerusalem
I. Ye that would faithfully serve Christ note carefully how he taught his disciples WHAT THEY WERE TO PREACH. We find different descriptions of the subject of our preaching, but on this occasion it is comprised in two things--repentance and remission of sins. I am glad to find in this verse that old- fashioned virtue called repentance. It used to be preached, but it has gone out of fashion now. Indeed, we are told that we always misunderstood the meaning of the word "repentance"; and that it simply
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 29: 1883

The Wounds of Jesus
First, what influence did the exhibition of the hands and feet have upon the disciples? Secondly, why is it that Jesus Christ, now in heaven, bears with him the scars in his flesh? And, then, thirdly, is there any lesson to us in the fact that Jesus Christ still wears his wounds? I think there is. I. First, then, OF WHAT USE WAS THE EXHIBITION OF THOSE WOUNDS TO THE DESCIPLES? I reply at once that they were infallible proofs that he was the same person. He said, "Behold my hands and feet, that it
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Twenty-Fourth Day for the Spirit on Your Own Congregation
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit on your own Congregation "Beginning at Jerusalem."--LUKE xxiv. 47. Each one of us is connected with some congregation or circle of believers, who are to us the part of Christ's body with which we come into most direct contact. They have a special claim on our intercession. Let it be a settled matter between God and you that you are to labour in prayer on its behalf. Pray for the minister and all leaders or workers in it. Pray for the believers according to their needs.
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Savonarola -- the Ascension of Christ
Girolamo Savonarola was born at Ferrara in 1452, and was admitted in 1475 into the novitiate of the Dominican Order, where he soon made himself conspicuous for eloquence, and in Florence attracted many hearers by his diatribes against corruption. Florence, having lost its independence as a republic, was completely under the sway of the Medici, who became arrayed against Savonarola, who aimed at establishing an ideal Christian commonwealth. When he attacked the Pope Alexander VI. his doom was practically
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

Of the Fervent Desire of Certain Devout Persons to Receive the Body and Blood of Christ
The Voice of the Disciple O how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee. When I call to mind some devout persons who draw nigh to Thy Sacrament, O Lord, with the deepest devotion and affection, then very often I am confounded in myself and blush for shame, that I approach Thine altar and table of Holy Communion so carelessly and coldly, that I remain so dry and without affection, that I am not wholly kindled with love before Thee, my God,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Shadow of Disappointment.
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel. LUKE xxiv. 21. In the accounts of the disciples, contained in the New Testament, there is no attempt to glorify them, or to conceal any weakness. From the first to the last, they think and act precisely as men would think and act in their circumstances;--they are affected just as others of like culture would be affected by such events as those set forth in the record. And the genuineness of their conduct argues the genuineness
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

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