Bible Strands
John 20:1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Mary Magdalene travels to the tomb early on the first day of the week while it is still dark. She arrives to find the stone already removed from the entrance.
The words — The Greek δὲ (de) acts as a narrative connector meaning "Now," and μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων (mia tōn sabbatōn) literally translates to "on the first of the weeks." These terms fix the event to the Sunday morning timeline immediately following the Sabbath.
The thread — This morning visit aligns with Mark 16:9, which notes Jesus appearing first to Mary Magdalene after His resurrection, and connects to the tomb's preparation in Matthew 27:60 and Mark 15:46. The narrative continues in John 20:2 as she reports the discovery to Peter and the beloved disciple.
Why it lands — The text records a physical observation: the stone is gone and the tomb is accessible. It requires the reader to acknowledge the factual state of the grave before moving to any theological conclusion.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Cross-references
- Mark 16:9 Early on the first day of the week, after Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.
- Matthew 27:60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.
- Mark 15:46 So Joseph bought a linen cloth, took down the body of Jesus, wrapped it in the cloth, and placed it in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
- 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.
- John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
- Revelation 1:10 On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
- Matthew 27:64 So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come and steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And this last deception would be worse than the first.”
- Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
- John 20:18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.
- John 20:26 Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”