This verse, Mark 16:1, describes the actions of three women – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome – after the Sabbath ended. Let's break it down:
"When the Sabbath was past..." The Jewish Sabbath is a day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. During this time, observant Jews were prohibited from working, which included preparing for a burial.
"...Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome..." These are three specific women who were followers of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is a well-known disciple, and Mary the mother of James is thought to be another Mary mentioned in the Gospels. Salome is often identified as the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James and John.
"...bought spices..." After Jesus' crucifixion on Friday, his body was hastily placed in a tomb before the Sabbath began. The women intended to properly anoint and prepare his body for burial according to Jewish custom. This involved using aromatic spices and ointments to reduce the odor of decay and show respect for the deceased. Because of the Sabbath, they couldn't purchase or prepare these spices until it was over.
"...that they might come and anoint him." This explains the purpose of buying the spices. Their intention was to go to Jesus' tomb and anoint his body as a final act of devotion and respect.
In summary, this verse tells us that three women who were followers of Jesus waited until after the Sabbath to purchase spices so they could properly anoint his body, an act they were unable to perform before the Sabbath began. It sets the stage for the subsequent discovery of the empty tomb in the following verses.
This verse, Mark 16:1, describes the actions of three women – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome – after the Sabbath ended. Let's break it down:
"When the Sabbath was past..." The Jewish Sabbath is a day of rest, observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. During this time, observant Jews were prohibited from working, which included preparing for a burial.
"...Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome..." These are three specific women who were followers of Jesus. Mary Magdalene is a well-known disciple, and Mary the mother of James is thought to be another Mary mentioned in the Gospels. Salome is often identified as the wife of Zebedee and mother of the apostles James and John.
"...bought spices..." After Jesus' crucifixion on Friday, his body was hastily placed in a tomb before the Sabbath began. The women intended to properly anoint and prepare his body for burial according to Jewish custom. This involved using aromatic spices and ointments to reduce the odor of decay and show respect for the deceased. Because of the Sabbath, they couldn't purchase or prepare these spices until it was over.
"...that they might come and anoint him." This explains the purpose of buying the spices. Their intention was to go to Jesus' tomb and anoint his body as a final act of devotion and respect.
In summary, this verse tells us that three women who were followers of Jesus waited until after the Sabbath to purchase spices so they could properly anoint his body, an act they were unable to perform before the Sabbath began. It sets the stage for the subsequent discovery of the empty tomb in the following verses.