Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Mark writes this narrative for his readers at the precise transition from the Sabbath to the first day of the week. The moment occurs after the women purchase spices and immediately precedes their dawn arrival at the tomb.
The words — διαγενομένου (diagenomenou) literally means "when was passing" or "when was completed," and σαββάτου (sabbatou) means "Sabbath." These terms establish the exact chronological cutoff before the women's journey begins.
The thread — This sequence runs parallel to Luke 23:56, which records the women resting on the Sabbath after preparing spices. Matthew 28:1 and John 20:1 both place Mary Magdalene at the tomb on the first day of the week, confirming the same chronological window.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to note the women's literal, physical preparation for a corpse. It demands attention to the chronological markers and stops before answering whether the body remains in the tomb.
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
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Cross-references
- Luke 23:56 Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.
- Matthew 28:1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.
- 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.
- Mark 15:40 And there were also women watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
- 2 Chronicles 16:14 And he was buried in the tomb that he had cut out for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bier that was full of spices and various blended perfumes; then they made a great fire in his honor.
- Mark 14:3 While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
- Mark 14:8 She has done what she could to anoint My body in advance of My burial.
- Mark 15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where His body was placed.
- Mark 16:8 So the women left the tomb and ran away, trembling and bewildered. And in their fear they did not say a word to anyone.
- 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.