Lexical Summary dunó: To set, to go down Original Word: δυνώ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to enter, to setOr dumi doo'-mee prolonged forms of an obsolete primary duo doo'-o (to sink) to go "down" -- set. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina form of duó (to sink) Definition to enter, to sink into NASB Translation set (1), setting (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1416: δύνωδύνω, δύω; 2 aorist ἔδυν; 1 aorist (in Greek writings transitively) ἐδυσα (Mark 1:32 L Tr WH), cf. Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 156f; Winers Grammar, p. 84 (81); Buttmann, 56 (49); (Veitch, see under the words); to go into, enter; go under, be plunged into, sink in: in the N. T. twice of the setting sun (sinking as it were into the sea), Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40. So times without number in Greek writings from Homer on; the Sept., Genesis 28:11; Leviticus 22:7, etc.; Tobit 2:4; 1 Macc. 10:50. (Compare: ἐκδύνω, ἀπεκδύνω (ἀπεκδύνομαι), ἐνδύνω, ἐπενδύνω, παρεισδύνω, ἐπιδύνω.) STRONGS NT 1416: δύσις [δύσις, δύσεως, ἡ; 1. a sinking or setting, especially of the heavenly bodies; 2. of the quarter in which the sun sets, the west: Mark 16 WH (rejected) 'Shorter Conclusion.' (So both in singular and in plural: Aristotle, de mund. 3, p. 393{a}, 17; 4, p. 394^b, 21; Polybius 1, 42, 5 etc.) STRONGS NT 1416: δύωδύω, see δύνω. Strong’s Greek 1416 appears only twice in the New Testament—Mark 1:32 and Luke 4:40—each time marking the moment when “the sun had set” and crowds rushed to Jesus for healing. Though brief, these occurrences frame a rich biblical motif: sunset as the threshold between two days, a symbol of both closure and new beginnings in God’s redemptive timetable. Historical and Cultural Background In Jewish reckoning a new day began at sunset (Genesis 1:5; Leviticus 23:32). The setting sun therefore served as the legal end of the Sabbath and the release point for activities constrained by Mosaic law. First-century Galileans waited until sundown to travel, carry burdens, or seek medical help (cf. Jeremiah 6:4 for the common phrase “Woe to us, for the day declines”). Against this backdrop, the scenes in Mark and Luke show ordinary people timing their approach to Jesus precisely when cultural restrictions lifted, underscoring both their reverence for the Law and their desperate hope in Christ. Occurrences in the New Testament Mark 1:32: “That evening, after the sun had set, people brought to Jesus all who were sick and demon-possessed.” Luke 4:40: “At sunset, all who had people with various diseases brought them to Jesus. He laid His hands on each one and healed them.” Both evangelists place the event immediately after a synagogue Sabbath service where Jesus demonstrated authority—Mark records an exorcism (Mark 1:21-28), Luke a teaching and a healing (Luke 4:31-39). The sunset thus signals a transition from Sabbath worship to Sabbath mercy, highlighting Jesus as Lord over both. Theology of Sunset 1. Completion of daily labor • Deuteronomy 24:15 commands wages to be paid “before the sun sets,” reflecting God’s concern for timely justice. • By healing after sundown, Jesus shows the true “wage” of grace paid in full with no delay for those who come. 2. Purification and restoration • Leviticus 22:7 links sunset with the end of ceremonial uncleanness: “When the sun goes down he will be clean.” • The evening healings portray Jesus as the definitive source of cleansing, fulfilling the typology of the Law. 3. Foretaste of eschatological rest • Just as evening ushers in night, the close of history will usher believers into eternal rest (Hebrews 4:9-11). • Revelation 22:5 promises “there will be no night there,” indicating the sunset motif finds ultimate resolution in the everlasting light of God’s presence. Ministry Implications Availability: Jesus did not view sunset as an excuse to retire but as an opportunity to serve. The Lord who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4) invites His followers to readiness for ministry “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2). Compassion within boundaries: The crowds respected Sabbath limits, yet Jesus met them the moment those limits expired. Healthy ministry honors God-given structures while maximizing every lawful opening for gospel mercy. Corporate witness: Whole villages gathered at dusk, creating a communal testimony to Christ’s power. Local churches likewise shine when believers converge—often after their own day’s work—to bring the hurting to Jesus through prayer, proclamation, and practical help. Practical Application for Believers Today Personal reflection: Sunset can become a daily prompt to recount God’s faithfulness, confess sin, and entrust tomorrow to His care (Psalm 141:2). Family worship: The evening hour is well-suited to gather households for Scripture, song, and intercession, following Israel’s pattern of day-end remembrance (Deuteronomy 6:7). Mercy ministry: After-work or evening outreach aligns with modern schedules much as sundown accommodated first-century crowds. Churches that open their doors after typical business hours embody Christ’s sunset compassion. Conclusion Though Strong’s Greek 1416 occurs only twice, the image it carries radiates through Scripture: the sinking sun marks both the close of one chapter and the readiness of God to begin anew. In Mark and Luke, sunset becomes the moment of mass approach to the Savior—an enduring reminder that when the light of human effort wanes, divine grace shines brightest. Englishman's Concordance Mark 1:32 V-AIA-3SGRK: γενομένης ὅτε ἔδυ ὁ ἥλιος NAS: the sun had set, they [began] bringing KJV: the sun did set, they brought INT: having come when went down the sun Luke 4:40 V-PPA-GMS Strong's Greek 1416 |
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