Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 1:35

"And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed." — Mark 1:35 (ASV)

A great while before day.—Literally, very early, while it was yet night. The note of time is peculiar to St. Mark. Prayer seems to have been sought now, as at other times, after a day of extraordinary and exhausting labour.