And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
And in the morning - that is, of the day after this remarkable Sabbath; or, on the First day of the week. His choosing this day to inaugurate a new and glorious stage of His public work, should be noted by the reader.
Rising up a great while before day, х prooi (G4404) ennuchon (G1773) or ennucha (G1773) lian (G3029)] - 'while it was yet night,' or long before daybreak, he went out-from Peter's house, where He slept, all unperceived.
And departed into a solitary place, and there prayed, х proseeucheto (G4336)] - or, 'continued in prayer.' He was about to begin His first preaching and healing Circuit; and as on similar solemn occasions (Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; Luke 9:28-29; Mark 6:46), He spends some time in special prayer, doubtless with a view to it. What would one not give to have been, during the stillness of those grey morning-hours within hearing-not of His "strong crying and tears," for He had scare arrived at the stage for that-but of His calm, exalted anticipations of the work which lay immediately before Him, and the outpourings of His soul about it into the bosom of Him that sent Him! 'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; and I am going to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Now, Lord, let it be seen that grace is poured into These lips, and that God hath blessed Me forever: Here am I, send Me: I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day; and, lo, I come! I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.' He had doubtless enjoyed some uninterrupted hours of such communings with His heavenly Father before His friends from Capernaum arrived in search of Him. As for them, they doubtless expected, after such a day of miracles, that the next day would witness similar manifestations. When morning came, Peter, loath to break in upon the repose of his glorious Guest, would await His appearance beyond the usual hour; but at length, wondering at the stillness, and gently coming to see where the Lord lay, he finds it-like the grave afterward-empty! Speedily a party is made up to go in search of Him, Peter naturally leading the way.