What Time Did Jesus Wake Up In The Morning?

Jesus, the central figure of Christianity, is not known to have had a specific morning wake up time mentioned in the Bible. However, we gain some insight into His morning routines and habits from a few scriptural references.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: While no exact time is given, Jesus would wake early in the morning, often before dawn, to pray and commune with God the Father.

Jesus Rose Early to Pray

Praying Before Daybreak

Jesus had a dedicated prayer life and would often rise early in the morning, before daybreak, to spend time communicating with God the Father. This showed how important prayer was to Jesus and how he prioritized it in his busy schedule.

According to the Gospel of Mark, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus chose the quiet early morning hours to connect deeply with God and no doubt receive guidance, strength, and peace for the demanding day ahead.

Prayer Prioritized in Jesus’ Schedule

In order to rise early to pray, Jesus must have made prayer a priority in organizing his schedule. The Gospels describe many instances where Jesus withdrew from crowds and activities to be alone in prayer.

Before choosing the twelve disciples, “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12). Prayer was Jesus’ regular habit and his “go-to” source of strength. Through prayer he aligned his thoughts and actions with God’s purposes.

Setting aside focused time for daily conversation with God often requires discipline and planning, but the Gospels make clear that prayer was a non-negotiable priority for Jesus, no matter how busy his ministry schedule became.

Jesus’ example of rising early for prayer reminds us that every day’s priorities should be established by beginning in conversation with God. When we follow Jesus’ model, starting the day connecting our hearts, minds, and plans to God’s heart and purposes, we receive divine wisdom and equip ourselves spiritually for all that the day entails.

As one preacher expressed it, “The moment we wake up each morning, our first thought should be of God.” Jesus faithfully practiced this discipline of focusing his first morning thoughts on connecting with the Heavenly Father.

When we do the same, starting mornings in prayer by inviting God’s presence and guidance into our day, it dramatically affects how we experience and respond to people and circumstances all day long.

Examples of Jesus’ Early Mornings

Early Travel to Avoid Crowds

Jesus often woke up very early in the morning, even before sunrise, to spend time in prayer and to avoid crowded roads as He traveled to fulfill His ministry. According to the Gospels, there are several examples of Jesus purposefully waking up early:

• After a long day of teaching, Jesus retreated to the mountains to pray and woke “very early in the morning” to find a solitary place (Mark 1:35).
• Before choosing the twelve disciples, Jesus went out to a mountainside and spent the night praying to God. At daybreak, He called His disciples (Luke 6:12-13).
• When Jesus wanted to go to Jerusalem, He “set out as usual for Jerusalem” early in the morning (Luke 13:22). This was likely to avoid crowds on the road.

Jesus often had to walk long distances between cities, so starting off early allowed Him to avoid the heat of the midday sun. Departing early also meant He could travel quietly and have time to pray and prepare for the day ahead before encountering crowds of people seeking miracles or pressing Him with questions.

Pre-Dawn Miracles

According to the Gospels, Jesus also performed some amazing miracles in the early morning hours before sunrise:

• After spending the night in prayer, Jesus walked on the sea early in the morning during a storm to meet and reassure His disciples (Mark 6:45-51).
• Early in the morning, as Jesus passed by, He saw a man blind from birth and healed him (John 9:1).
• On the Sunday after His crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead “very early in the morning” (Luke 24:1).

These passages give us a beautiful picture of Jesus’ deep communion with the Father during the quiet morning hours but also His compassion in using those moments to reveal God’s glory and serve those in need.

Jesus’ Wake Up Time in Prophecy and Second Coming

Jesus’ early morning wake-up time has significance in biblical prophecy about His second coming. Though the gospels do not specify an exact time when Jesus rose in the morning, there are clues that point to it being very early while it was still dark.

Jesus’ Habit of Solitary Prayer in the Early Morning

The gospels portray Jesus as having a habit of rising very early in the morning to spend time alone in prayer and communion with God the Father. For example:

• Mark 1:35 says “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”
• Luke 4:42 states “…At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place.”

Based on Jesus’ established pattern of rising before sunrise to pray, it is likely He woke up in the very early morning hours, such as around 4 or 5am.

Prophetic Significance for Jesus’ Second Coming

Jesus’ early morning wake-up times hold prophetic significance about His second coming. In particular, some key Bible verses have led many Christians to believe Jesus will return in the early morning hours before sunrise. Consider the following scriptures:

• Matthew 24:42 – “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” This verse encourages believers to be alert and watchful for Christ’s return at an unknown day and hour.
• Matthew 24:43 – “But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.” This verse compares Jesus’ coming to a thief in the night, suggesting a surprise return at an unexpected time.
• Matthew 25:13 – “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Again, Jesus reiterates that no one knows the exact time of His return, so His followers must be ready.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “…for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” This verse confirms Christ’s coming at an unknown time like a thief.

In light of Jesus’ consistent early morning wake-up times for prayer, coupled with the scriptures’ depiction of His sudden return as a “thief in the night”, many anticipate Christ’s second coming in the early morning hours before sunrise.

Just as Christ rose early to begin His earthly ministry 2000 years ago, many Christians expect He will also return early in the morning to usher in His prophesied millennial reign.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Bible does not reveal the exact time Jesus woke up each morning, scriptural accounts demonstrate He consistently rose early, often before daylight, to pray and commune with God.

Jesus prioritized beginning His day in prayer and set an example for seekers today on the importance of morning devotion. At His second coming, He will rise early to reward those who were ready and waiting for Him.