{In the morning, a great while before day} (pr(9369) ennucha
lian). Luke has only "when it was day" (genomen(8873) h(886d)eras).
The word pr(9369) in Mark means the last watch of the night from
three to six A.M. Ennucha lian means in the early part of the
watch while it was still a bit dark (cf.  Mr 16:2  lian pr(9369)).
{Rose up and went out} (anastas ex(886c)then). Out of the house and
out of the city, off (ap(886c)then, even if not genuine, possibly a
conflate reading from  6:32,46 ). "Flight from the unexpected
reality into which His ideal conception of His calling had
brought Him" (H.J. Holtzmann). Gould notes that Jesus seems to
retreat before his sudden popularity, to prayer with the Father
"that he might not be ensnared by this popularity, or in any way
induced to accept the ways of ease instead of duty." But Jesus
also had a plan for a preaching tour of Galilee and "He felt He
could not begin too soon. He left in the night, fearing
opposition from the people" (Bruce). Surely many a popular
preacher can understand this mood of Jesus when in the night he
slips away to a solitary place for prayer. Jesus knew what it was
to spend a whole night in prayer. He knew the blessing of prayer
and the power of prayer. {And there prayed} (k'akei
pros(8875)cheto). Imperfect tense picturing Jesus as praying through
the early morning hours.