Mark 16:2

2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.

Mark 16:2 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 16:2

And very early in the morning, the first day of the week,
&c.] (See Gill on Matthew 28:1).

They came to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun;
of the sun of righteousness, as Mr. Mede observes; or rather, of the natural sun: for though it was dark when they set out, and when it dawned towards the first day, yet by that time that they all got to the sepulchre, the sun was rising; the Jews say F7, that

``from the ascending of the morning, or break of day, until the sun rises, is an hour and a half.''

And so much time may very well be allowed the women, from their setting out, to their coming to the sepulchre. Moreover, they say {h}, that

``from the hind of the morning, to the time the east is enlightened, a man may walk four miles, and from the time that the east is enlightened, (hmxh Untv de) , "until the sun rises", four miles.''

But women must not be thought to walk so fast: let it be observed, that Christ, who is called the hind of the morning, ( Psalms 22:1 ) (title, "Aijeleth Shahar"), and the morning star, ( Revelation 22:16 ) , rose at this time.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 Piske Tosaphot in Pesach. art. 44.
F8 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2. 3. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 50. fol. 45. 2.

Mark 16:2 In-Context

1 When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and 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 They had been saying to one another, "Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?"
4 When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.