Luke 24:1 Meaning: Why Bring More Spices?
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
Now 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.
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.
And on the first of the sabbaths, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, bearing the spices they made ready, and certain others with them,
But on the morrow of the sabbath, very early indeed in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the aromatic spices which they had prepared.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the women bring spices to anoint Jesus when His body was already prepared? Luke 24:1 shows love in action and a dawn that changed everything.
Context
Luke tells us that women who had followed Jesus from Galilee watched His burial and noted where the body was laid. Then they rested on the Sabbath. As soon as the Sabbath ended, they prepared spices and perfumes. Now, on the first day of the week, they are on their way to the tomb before sunrise. They are the first to go there, carrying what they have made ready. They do not yet know about the resurrection. They expect a sealed tomb and a dead body. Their love drives them forward in the dark.
Key Words
Two Greek words mark this moment. The phrase “very early” is literally “deep dawn” (bathus orthros). It is the time right before the sun breaks, the deepest part of the morning twilight. The women did not wait for full daylight. They could not stay away.
The word for “spices” is arōmata, aromatic perfumes used for burial. It comes from a word for sending out a scent. These women brought the best they had to honor Jesus. They had already seen Nicodemus and Joseph use a large amount of myrrh and aloes (John 19:39, 40), but they wanted to add their own act of devotion. Their spices were a gift they had prepared themselves.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have seen the women’s actions as a model of faithfulness. Catholic and Orthodox teaching often honors the women as the first witnesses to the resurrection, highlighting their courage and love. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry note that their devotion moved them to act even when they could not yet understand the resurrection. The additional spices can be seen as a second embalming, a thoughtful act to complete what was done hastily before the Sabbath. Some early manuscripts include the phrase “and certain others with them,” which some see as emphasizing that many women shared this act of love. Different traditions agree: these women were not afraid to serve Jesus even in His death.
A common misunderstanding
Some think the women came to the tomb with weak faith, still expecting a dead body. In fact, their love and devotion were strong. They had heard Jesus say He would rise, but they had not yet understood. Coming to the tomb was not a failure of belief. It was an act of service that placed them exactly where God wanted them: right at the empty tomb, first to hear the good news.
Living This Out
Maybe you are doing something this week that feels like tending a grave. You are serving someone who does not thank you. You are showing up at a place where nothing seems to change. You are bringing your spices out of love, even when hope is dim. Keep going. The women did not know the stone would be rolled away. They only knew they belonged to Jesus. So they went. And He met them. Your service, even in the dark, is never wasted. He is risen. He will meet you before you see the sunrise.
Main takeaway: The women went to honor a dead Savior and found an empty tomb: love led them to the very first Easter morning.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Some women loved Jesus very much. They got up early, while it was still dark, to take special spices to His tomb. They wanted to show how much they cared.
For ages 9, 12
After Jesus died, some women wanted to honor Him by bringing spices to anoint His body. They had waited through the Sabbath, and as soon as they could, they went to the tomb at dawn. They didn’t know that Jesus had already risen. But their love brought them to the place where they would be the first to hear the good news. Jesus was alive, and He met them there. Sometimes our simple acts of love put us right where God wants us.
Questions People Ask
Why did the women bring more spices if Joseph and Nicodemus already anointed Jesus' body?
Joseph and Nicodemus used a large amount of myrrh and aloes for a quick burial before the Sabbath started. The women prepared additional spices to complete the embalming more thoroughly. Their act was one of love and devotion, not a sign that the first anointing was inadequate.
What does 'very early in the morning' mean in the original Greek?
The phrase is 'deep dawn' (bathus orthros). It means the deepest part of early morning twilight, just before the sun rises. This shows the women could not wait any longer to go to the tomb.
Who were the women that came to the tomb?
Luke names Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and other women. They had followed Jesus from Galilee and supported His ministry. They were faithful witnesses from His death to His resurrection.
Why is this verse significant for the resurrection story?
It sets the scene for the discovery of the empty tomb. The women came expecting to find a dead body, but instead they found the stone rolled away and angels announcing that Jesus is risen. Their journey in the dark becomes the first Easter morning.
Is the phrase 'and certain others with them' in all manuscripts?
No. Some early and reliable manuscripts, such as Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, omit that phrase. Many scholars consider it a later addition. But whether or not the phrase is original, the point remains: a group of women went to the tomb with spices.
For pastors & researchers
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