Very early in the morning, - This was the time they left their own houses, and by the rising of the sun they got to the tomb. As the preceding day was the Sabbath, they could not, consistently with the observances of that day, approach the tomb. See the concluding notes at the end of John.

The following observations from Lightfoot will serve to illustrate this subject.

"The distinction of the twilight among the rabbins was this: -

"I. איילחא השחרא The hinde of the morning - the first appearance. R. Chaiia Rab, and R. Simeon ben Chalaphta, travelling together on a certain morning in the valley of Arbel, saw the hinde of the morning, that its light spread the sky. R. Chaiia said, Such shall be the redemption of Israel. First, it goes forward by degrees, and by little and little; but by how much the more it shall go forward, by so much the more it shall increase. It was at that time that Christ arose, namely, in the first morning, as may be gathered from the words of St. Matthew. And to this the title of the 22d Psalm seems to have respect - על איילת השחר. See also Revelation 22:16, I am the bright and morning star. And now you may imagine the women went out of their houses towards the sepulchre.

"II. משיכיר בי הכלת ללב When one may distinguish between purple color and white. From what time do they recite their phylacterical prayers in the morning? From that time that one may distinguish between purple color and white. R. Eliezer saith, Between purple color and green. Before this time was obscurum adhue caeptae lucis, the obscurity of the begun light, as Tacitus's expression is.

"III. משיארו המזרח When the east begins to lighten.

"IV. בנץ החמה Sunrise; from the hinde of the morning going forth, until the east begins to lighten; and from the time the east begins to lighten, until sunrise, etc.

"According to these four parts of time, one might not improperly suit the four phrases of the evangelists. According to the first, Matthew's, Τῃ επιφωσκουσῃ, As it began to dawn. According to the second, John's, Πρωΐ σκοτιας ετι ουσης, Early in the morning when it was yet dark. To the third, Luke's, Ορθρου βαθεως, Very early in the morning. To the fourth, Mark's, Λιαν πρωΐ, Very early in the morning. And yet, Ανατειλαντος του ἡλιου, At the rising of the sun. For the women came twice to the sepulchre, as St. John teaches, by whom the other evangelists are to be explained; which being well considered, the reconciling them together is very easy."

And very early in the morning, the first day of the week,.... 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 (g), 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, , "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, Psalm 22:1 (title, "Aijeleth Shahar"), and the morning star, Revelation 22:16, rose at this time.

(g) Piske Tosaphot in Pesach. art. 44. (h) T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 2. 3. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 50. fol. 45. 2.

At the rising of the sun (ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου)

More correctly, as Rev., when the sun was risen.

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.

16:2 At the rising of the sun - They set out while it was yet dark, and came within sight of the sepulchre, for the first time, just as it grew light enough to discern that the stone was rolled away, Matt 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1. But by the time Mary had called Peter and John, and they had viewed the sepulchre, the sun was rising.

[1] And very early

For the order of events on the day of the resurrection, and for the order of our Lord's appearances after His resurrection, see,

See Scofield Note: "Mt 28:1" See Scofield Note: "Mt 28:9"

2. And very early in the morning-(See on [1524]Mt 28:1).

the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun-not quite literally, but "at earliest dawn"; according to a way of speaking not uncommon, and occurring sometimes in the Old Testament. Thus our Lord rose on the third day; having lain in the grave part of Friday, the whole of Saturday, and part of the following First day.

16:1-8 Nicodemus brought a large quantity of spices, but these good women did not think that enough. The respect others show to Christ, should not hinder us from showing our respect. And those who are carried by holy zeal, to seek Christ diligently, will find the difficulties in their way speedily vanish. When we put ourselves to trouble and expense, from love to Christ, we shall be accepted, though our endeavours are not successful. The sight of the angel might justly have encouraged them, but they were affrighted. Thus many times that which should be matter of comfort to us, through our own mistake, proves a terror to us. He was crucified, but he is glorified. He is risen, he is not here, not dead, but alive again; hereafter you will see him, but you may here see the place where he was laid. Thus seasonable comforts will be sent to those that lament after the Lord Jesus. Peter is particularly named, Tell Peter; it will be most welcome to him, for he is in sorrow for sin. A sight of Christ will be very welcome to a true penitent, and a true penitent is very welcome to a sight of Christ. The men ran with all the haste they could to the disciples; but disquieting fears often hinder us from doing that service to Christ and to the souls of men, which, if faith and the joy of faith were strong, we might do.