He Is Risen
(Matt. 28:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10 )
Mark 16:1-5 NKJV – Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary [the mother] of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first [day] of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away–for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
V1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary [the mother] of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
The Sabbath would have ended Saturday at 6 p.m. This was Sunday before sunrise. It was barely light enough to travel.
Spices were going to be used for His burial to honor Jesus.
Comments:
ISBE: “And, we are further told that after the burial of Jesus, Nicodemus brought “a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds,” and that they “took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury,” and that Mary Magdalene and two other women brought spices for the same purpose (John 19:39, John 19:40; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1). That this was a very old custom is witnessed by such passages as 2Ch 16:14, where it is said that Asa, the king, was laid “in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and divers kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers’ art” (compare John 12:3, John 12:7; Sirach 38:16).”
V2 Very early in the morning, on the first [day] of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
The written accounts vary. Wuest Word Studies comments: “Our Lord’s body was buried late on Friday afternoon. The women rested on the Sabbath, which began at sunset that evening. They purchased the anointing oil after sunset, which closed the Sabbath (Saturday). Very early in the morning of our Sunday, perhaps while it was still dark, they left Bethany, which is about two miles from Jerusalem, and arrived at the tomb just after sunrise. The words “at the rising of the sun” are literally, “the sun having risen.” The action of the aorist participle precedes that of the leading verb. The sun arose before they reached the tomb.”
V3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
A true worry for the women.
How much did the stone weigh?
Brave AI: “The stone sealing Jesus’ tomb is described as being very heavy, with estimates ranging between one-and-a-half tons and two tons. This weight is comparable to that of a midsize car. Archaeological and historical analyses suggest that the stone would have required several strong men to move into place, and it was designed to be nearly impossible to move without the proper tools and assistance. The stone was typically a large, flat disc or a solid cork-shaped boulder, depending on the specific tomb design.”
V4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
A shock! They must have been very concerned. Maybe this is why some thought that His body had been stolen or moved to a different location. See John 20:15-16.
An holy angel had been the one who moved the stone out of the way (Matthew 28:2-4). We note the angel’s great strength.
V5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
The young man was an angel (Luke 24:4, Matthew 28:2-3, and Acts 1:10-11). We learn that when seen, angels are not women or babies; they are young men.
Jesus had left the tomb much earlier. The angels were present to testify of His resurrection, etc.
We learn:
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- Angels were involved in moving the stone and giving a message.
- The believers had come to honor Jesus.
Questions:
- How do we respond to Biblical prophecy?
- How would you react if you saw the angels?