Why did Mary Magdalene visit Jesus' tomb?
BREAKDOWN
Mary Magdalene, along with other women, visited Jesus' tomb primarily to complete the traditional Jewish burial rites that had been hastily performed due to the approaching Sabbath. According to Mark 16:1, "When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him." Their intention was to anoint Jesus' body with aromatic spices and ointments, a customary practice for showing respect and preserving the deceased, which was not fully possible on the evening of his crucifixion due to the impending Sabbath (Luke 23:54-56). The women had prepared these spices and came to the tomb early on the first day of the week, expecting to find Jesus' body there and to complete their sorrowful task. However, their visit was met not with a somber ritual but with the astonishing reality of the empty tomb. The women encountered an angel, or angels, who declared that Jesus was not there, for "he has risen, just as he said" (Matthew 28:5-6). Mary Magdalene's initial response, particularly highlighted in John's Gospel, was one of distress and confusion when she saw the stone rolled away, believing someone had taken the Lord's body (John 20:1-2). This pilgrimage of devotion and sorrow ultimately transformed into the first proclamation of the resurrection, making Mary Magdalene a pivotal figure in the post-crucifixion narrative as the first witness to the resurrected Christ.
KEY TERMS
Jewish burial rites
Traditional customs and procedures for burying the deceased in Jewish culture, emphasizing swift burial and respectful treatment of the body.
Sabbath
The day of rest and worship, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, during which work and certain activities were prohibited in Jewish law.
anoint Jesus' body
The act of applying aromatic spices and ointments to the deceased's body as a sign of respect and to prepare it for burial.
empty tomb
The discovery that Jesus' burial place was vacant, a central event confirming his resurrection.
apostle to the apostles
A title often given to Mary Magdalene, recognizing her as the first person to witness the resurrected Christ and to proclaim this news to the other disciples.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Matthew 28:1
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
Mark 16:1-2
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him. Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
Luke 24:1
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
Luke 23:54-56
It was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
John 20:1-2
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came early, while it was still dark, to the tomb, and saw the stone taken away from the tomb. Therefore she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him!"
Matthew 28:5-6
The angel answered the women, "Don't be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
INTERLINEAR ANALYSIS
Interlinear Greek
Mark 16:1ORIGINAL LANGUAGE ANALYSIS
ἀλείψωσιν
anoint
Definitionto anoint, smear with oil or perfume
ἀρώματα
spices
Definitionaromatic spices, perfumes
μνημεῖον
tomb
Definitiona monument, sepulchre, tomb, memorial
Σάββατον
Sabbath
Definitionthe Sabbath day
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The 1st century CE Jewish burial practices involved a meticulous process, typically performed swiftly after death due to the hot climate and religious mandates. The deceased's body would be washed, then wrapped in linen cloths, often with aromatic spices and ointments. This was not mummification, but an anointing to mask odor and show honor. Burial usually occurred within hours of death, especially before sunset on the same day, as prolonged exposure was considered defiling and the Law mandated burial before nightfall (Deuteronomy 21:23). Rock-cut tombs, often carved into hillsides with a rolling stone to seal the entrance, were common for families of means. The hurried burial of Jesus on the eve of the Sabbath (Friday afternoon) meant that the full anointing ritual was abbreviated. Therefore, the women's return on Sunday morning to complete these rites was a faithful act of devotion, adhering to cultural and religious norms of respect for the dead, even while unknowingly setting the stage for the revelation of the resurrection.
THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT
Mary Magdalene's visit to the tomb, initially an act of pious mourning, undergoes a profound theological reinterpretation through the reality of the resurrection. Her intention to minister to a dead body is subverted by divine action, transforming her role from a mourner to a primary witness of the ultimate triumph over death. This highlights a central theme: human expectation is often limited, but God's power transcends it. Her encounter with the empty tomb and then the Risen Lord (John 20:11-18) establishes her as the 'apostle to the apostles,' entrusted with the first message of the resurrection. Her journey from sorrow to joy, from ritual to revelation, underscores the radical shift inaugurated by Christ's victory and the new reality of life over death.
COMMENTARY SYNTHESIS
Rashi (Jewish)
While Rashi's commentaries primarily focus on the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish tradition emphasizes meticulous care for the deceased and the sanctity of burial. The women's act of preparing spices, even if delayed, reflects the deep reverence for the human body and the duty to honor the dead, particularly a righteous individual, a concept deeply rooted in Jewish law concerning respect for the departed.
John Calvin (Christian (Reformed))
Calvin highlights the profound devotion of these women, noting their 'courage and love' in overcoming fear and cultural norms to pay final respects. He underscores that their human intention to anoint the dead body was providentially guided to make them the first recipients of the resurrection news, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in using sincere but imperfect human acts for His greater purpose.
Matthew Henry (Christian (Puritan))
Henry emphasizes the women's 'pious care and affection' for Christ, noting that their coming with spices was an act of love, though misguided in its expectation of finding a dead body. He praises their zeal, which led them to be the first at the tomb and thus the first to receive the 'joyful tidings' of the resurrection, illustrating how faithful service, even when misdirected, is often rewarded by God.
Augustine of Hippo (Christian (Early Church Father))
Augustine often reflects on the allegorical significance of events. He might interpret Mary Magdalene's devotion as representing the Church's ardent love for Christ, even in moments of perceived loss or suffering. Her transformation from sorrow to joy at the empty tomb and meeting the Lord symbolizes the spiritual journey of faith from mourning over sin to rejoicing in the resurrection.