That Saturday was the strangest day in the history of the disciples' group.
Jesus's body had been in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea since Friday afternoon. The Sabbath law forbade any funeral preparation during those twenty-four hours. The male disciples, according to the text, were locked in a room for fear of the Jews. The women of the group, meanwhile, were planning what they would do when the Sabbath ended.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint the body of Jesus.
Mark 16:1
Three names. Three women. Luke adds a fourth: Joanna, wife of Chuza, Herod's steward.
There were four women in all. They were the only members of the group ready to leave the house before dawn on Sunday. They were the only ones preparing something concrete to do.
While the twelve apostles remained in hiding behind closed doors, the women were buying spices.