This narrative verse from the resurrection account in Mark captures the early morning arrival of the women at Jesus’ tomb. With adverbial precision, participial temporal framing, and motion verbs, Mark 16:2 — καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου — is rich with grammatical and theological nuance. The structure emphasizes timing, intent, and cosmic movement as the dawn of a new creation begins.
The Greek Text in Focus
καὶ λίαν πρωῒ τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων ἔρχονται ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον, ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου (Mark 16:2)
“And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb, after the sun had risen.”
Grammatical Highlights
- καὶ λίαν πρωῒ — adverbial phrase; “and very early.”
- τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων — genitive feminine singular + genitive neuter plural; “of the first (day) of the week.”
- ἔρχονται — present indicative middle, third plural; “they come.”
- ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον — preposition + accusative; “to the tomb.”
- ἀνατείλαντος — aorist participle active, genitive masculine singular; “having risen.”
- τοῦ ἡλίου — genitive masculine singular; “of the sun.”
Adverbial Time Marker: λίαν πρωῒ
The phrase λίαν πρωῒ intensifies the timing: πρωῒ means “early,” while λίαν adds “exceedingly” or “very.” This double adverb underscores both the devotion of the women and the dramatic shift from darkness to dawn — a theological image of resurrection light breaking in.
Temporal Genitive and Weekly Reckoning: τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων
The phrase τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων literally means “of the first [day] of the Sabbaths,” a Semitic way of saying “the first day after the Sabbath,” i.e., Sunday. The genitive indicates the time “on the first of the week.” This usage preserves the Jewish calendar reckoning but signals the beginning of something new — the first day of a new creation week.
Present Narrative Verb: ἔρχονται
The verb ἔρχονται is in the present tense, a common feature of Mark’s lively narrative style. It creates vivid immediacy — the women “are coming” to the tomb. The middle voice may imply personal involvement or focus, although in Koine Greek it is often functionally equivalent to the active.
Genitive Absolute: ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου
This phrase forms a genitive absolute — a grammatically independent clause providing temporal background. The aorist participle ἀνατείλαντος (“having risen”) indicates that the action of the sun’s rising preceded their arrival. The use of the genitive absolute allows this side event (the sunrise) to frame the narrative without interrupting the main verb.
| Phrase | Form | Function | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| λίαν πρωῒ | Adverb + Adverb | Time modifier | Very early |
| τῆς μιᾶς σαββάτων | Genitive Phrase | Temporal genitive | On the first day of the week |
| ἔρχονται | Present Indicative Middle, 3rd Plural | Main verb | They come |
| ἐπὶ τὸ μνημεῖον | Preposition + Accusative | Direction of movement | To the tomb |
| ἀνατείλαντος τοῦ ἡλίου | Aorist Participle + Genitive Noun | Genitive absolute | After the sun had risen |
The Grammar of Dawn and Decision
Mark 16:2 shows how Greek grammar can frame theological movement. The participle of the sun rising precedes their movement. The adverbial phrase heightens urgency and devotion. The genitive phrase sets it at the dawn of a new age. Mark’s Greek doesn’t just narrate an event — it marks the hinge of history. Resurrection is about timing, and the grammar opens the tomb just as the light breaks forth.
