Luke 24:1

“And upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.”

Context:Luke 24:1 is part of the narrative of Jesus’ resurrection. It takes place on the first day of the week, which is the day after the Sabbath. In the preceding chapters, Luke describes the crucifixion and burial of Jesus, and now he turns to the account of His resurrection.

Significance of the first day of the week:The mention of the first day of the week is significant because it marks the day of Jesus’ resurrection. The early Christians began to gather and worship on this day, which is why it became known as the Lord’s Day or Sunday. This day holds great significance for Christians as a day of worship and remembrance of Christ’s victory over death.

The women and their purpose:In Luke 24:1, it mentions that certain women came to the sepulchre (tomb) early in the morning. These women were followers of Jesus who had witnessed His crucifixion and burial. They came to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices that they had prepared. This act of anointing was a customary practice for Jewish burials, where aromatic spices were used to preserve and honour the body.

The empty tomb:The women arrived at the tomb expecting to find Jesus’ body, but instead, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. This event is significant because it confirms Jesus’ resurrection. It demonstrates the fulfilment of Jesus’ prophecies regarding His death and resurrection.

Subsequent events:The empty tomb led to a series of encounters with Jesus. The women were greeted by two angels who proclaimed that Jesus had risen from the dead, just as He had foretold. The women then returned to the disciples and shared the news of the empty tomb and the angelic message.