Luke 23:54

KJV

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} that day {G2250} was {G2258} the preparation {G3904}, and {G2532} the sabbath {G4521} drew on {G2020}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It was Preparation Day, and a Shabbat was about to begin.

Berean Standard Bible

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

American Standard Version

And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 23:54 serves as a critical chronological anchor in the Passion narrative, precisely situating Jesus' hurried burial within the framework of Jewish law and custom. This concise verse establishes that the day of His crucifixion was the "preparation" day, the Friday immediately preceding the weekly Sabbath, thereby explaining the urgent need for His interment before the sacred day of rest commenced at sunset. It underscores the meticulous timing of these pivotal events, even amidst the profound sorrow and chaos of the crucifixion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish council, courageously requesting Jesus' body from Pilate and then, with haste, taking it down from the cross, wrapping it in linen, and laying it in a new tomb cut into rock. The preceding verses [Luke 23:50-53](/luke/23-50-53 "Luke 23:50-53 - Joseph of Arimathea Buries Jesus") detail this solemn act of burial. Luke 23:54 provides the crucial temporal explanation for the urgency of Joseph's actions, setting the scene for the women who followed Jesus to observe the burial and then return home to prepare spices and ointments before resting on the Sabbath, as described in [Luke 23:55-56](/luke/23-55-56 "Luke 23:55-56 - Women Observe and Rest"). The verse thus acts as a bridge, explaining the necessity of the swift burial and leading into the Sabbath, a day of apparent stillness before the monumental event of the resurrection.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For first-century Jews, the Sabbath (Shabbat) was a cornerstone of their religious and social life, mandated by the Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "Exodus 20:8-11 - Remember the Sabbath Day"). It commenced at sunset on Friday and concluded at sunset on Saturday, during which all work was strictly forbidden. "Preparation day" (Greek: _paraskeuḗ_) was the common term for Friday, the day on which all necessary tasks—cooking, cleaning, preparing for the Sabbath meals, and even burying the dead—had to be completed before the Sabbath began. The meticulous adherence to this custom, even in the emotionally charged aftermath of Jesus' death, highlights the deep reverence for the Law among devout Jews like Joseph of Arimathea and the women disciples. This cultural norm dictated the rapid sequence of events surrounding Jesus' burial, ensuring His body was interred before the start of the holy day.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 23:54 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Timing and Sovereignty**. Even the precise moment of Jesus' burial, dictated by Jewish custom, was part of God's meticulously orchestrated plan, leading to the ultimate triumph of the resurrection. Secondly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of the Law**, demonstrating that even in His death, Jesus and those around Him adhered to the Mosaic Law, emphasizing the continuity between the Old Covenant and the New, even as the New was about to break forth. Thirdly, it introduces a theme of **Transition and Anticipation**. The Sabbath, a day of rest, symbolically becomes a period of profound waiting and stillness between the apparent defeat of the crucifixion and the glorious, world-altering victory of the resurrection. This "rest" before the "first day of the week" anticipates the new creation inaugurated by Christ's triumph over death, as seen in [Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - The Resurrection of Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **preparation (Greek, _paraskeuḗ'_):** From G3904, meaning "readiness." In this context, it specifically refers to the day before the Sabbath, Friday, when all necessary preparations for the Sabbath rest were completed. It signifies the time-bound necessity of action before the cessation of work.
* **sabbath (Greek, _sábbaton'_):** From G4521, of Hebrew origin, referring to the "Sabbath," the seventh day of the week, a day of weekly repose from secular avocations. It signifies a period of commanded rest and worship, deeply ingrained in Jewish religious life and law.
* **drew on (Greek, _epiphṓskō'_):** From G2020, meaning "to begin to grow light" or "to begin to dawn." Here, it is used figuratively to indicate the approaching of the Sabbath, specifically the onset of its darkness at sunset. It conveys the imminent arrival of the sacred day, marking the boundary for all activity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that day was the preparation,"**: This clause identifies the specific day of Jesus' crucifixion and burial as "the preparation day." This was Friday, the day immediately preceding the Sabbath, during which all necessary tasks, including the burial of the dead, had to be completed before sunset. It establishes the temporal urgency for Joseph of Arimathea's actions.
* **"and the sabbath drew on."**: This clause further clarifies the temporal context, indicating that the Sabbath was rapidly approaching. The Greek phrase suggests the "dawning" or "beginning to grow light" of the Sabbath, but in the context of the Jewish day beginning at sunset, it refers to the evening twilight when the Sabbath officially commenced. This imminent arrival of the Sabbath underscored the need for swift action in burying Jesus' body, as no work, including handling a corpse, was permitted once the Sabbath began.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 23:54 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and significance. The primary device is **Temporal Marker**, as the verse precisely dates the events of Jesus' burial, grounding the narrative in a specific Jewish timeframe. This precise dating also functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the brevity of Jesus' time in the tomb; His burial on the eve of the Sabbath implies His resurrection will occur shortly after the Sabbath's conclusion, on the "first day of the week." There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the meticulous adherence to the Sabbath law, a symbol of God's old covenant, is observed even as the New Covenant is being inaugurated through Christ's death and impending resurrection, which will ultimately transcend and transform the meaning of such laws. The Sabbath itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing a period of rest, but in this context, it symbolizes the quiet, liminal space between death and new life, between apparent defeat and ultimate triumph.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 23:54, though brief, is rich with theological implications, emphasizing God's meticulous sovereignty over time and events, even in moments of profound sorrow. The "preparation day" and the approaching "Sabbath" highlight that Jesus' death and burial were not random occurrences but precisely timed within God's redemptive plan, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and setting the stage for the New Covenant. This adherence to Jewish law, even in burying the Messiah, underscores the continuity of God's faithfulness and the orderly unfolding of His purposes, demonstrating that Christ came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The period of rest on the Sabbath also serves as a poignant pause, a moment of divine silence before the earth-shattering declaration of the resurrection.

* [Mark 15:42](/mark/15-42 "Mark 15:42 - Preparation for the Sabbath")
* [John 19:31](/john/19-31 "John 19:31 - The Sabbath and the Burial")
* [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 23:54 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that even in moments of profound grief, uncertainty, or apparent defeat, God's divine timing is at work. The hurried burial of Jesus on the "preparation day" before the Sabbath, a detail seemingly mundane, was in fact part of God's perfect orchestration, leading to the glorious resurrection. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when circumstances seem bleak or when we are in a period of "waiting" or "rest." Just as the Sabbath was a necessary pause before the dawn of the new week and the resurrection, so too are there seasons in our lives where God calls us to wait, to rest, and to trust that He is working behind the scenes. It encourages us to find peace in His timing, knowing that His purposes will always be fulfilled, often in ways we cannot foresee.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise timing of Jesus' burial, dictated by the Sabbath, deepen your understanding of God's sovereignty and meticulous planning?**
* **In what areas of your life are you currently in a "Sabbath" period of waiting or uncertainty, and how can you trust God's timing in that season?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of honoring sacred times or boundaries, even amidst crisis?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jesus' burial so rushed on "preparation day"?**

Answer: Jesus' burial was rushed because it was "preparation day" (Friday), and the Sabbath was about to begin at sunset. According to Jewish law, no work, including the handling and burial of a corpse, was permitted on the Sabbath. Therefore, Joseph of Arimathea and others involved had to complete the burial before the sun set and the Sabbath officially commenced, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 21:23](/deuteronomy/21-23 "Deuteronomy 21:23 - Burial Before Sunset"). This urgency ensured adherence to the Law, even in the immediate aftermath of the crucifixion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 23:54, with its emphasis on the "preparation day" and the approaching "Sabbath," serves as a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, subtly pointing to Jesus as the one who brings a new and ultimate rest. His death on the "preparation day" and burial before the Sabbath signify the completion of the old covenant's demands and the anticipation of a new creation. The Sabbath, a day of rest under the Old Covenant, now becomes a symbol of the "rest" that Jesus Himself provides, not merely from labor, but from the burden of sin and the Law's condemnation [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). His resurrection on the "first day of the week" (Sunday) inaugurates the new creation, establishing a new "Lord's Day" that transcends the old Sabbath, marking the dawn of the new covenant and the ultimate rest found in Him [Revelation 1:10](/revelation/1-10 "Revelation 1:10 - The Lord's Day"). Thus, the meticulous timing of His burial before the Sabbath underscores that Jesus is not only the fulfiller of the Law but also the one who ushers in a greater, more glorious rest, where believers enter into God's eternal rest through faith in His finished work [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:62

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

John 19:31

¶ The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away.

Mark 15:42

¶ And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

John 19:42

There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation [day]; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

John 19:14

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!