from πρό and σάββατον; a fore-sabbath, i.e. the Sabbath-eve:--day before the sabbath. Compare παρασκευή.
Transliteration:prosábbaton
Pronunciation:pros-ab'-bat-on
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term προσάββατον (prosábbaton), designated by Strong's `{{G4315}}`, is a compound word derived from the preposition πρό (pro), meaning "before," and σάββατον (sábbaton), meaning "Sabbath." Its core meaning is therefore "before the Sabbath" or "Sabbath-eve." This term precisely denotes the day immediately preceding the Sabbath, specifically the late afternoon or evening hours of Friday, just as the Sabbath was about to begin at sunset. It refers to the time when preparations for the Sabbath rest would be finalized, and all work would cease. The semantic range is quite narrow, pointing to this specific temporal window in the Jewish week.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term προσάββατον (`{{G4315}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Mark:
* **[[Mark 15:42]]**: "And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus."
In this sole occurrence, προσάββατον is used in apposition to "the day of Preparation" (παρασκευή, `{{G3904}}`), clarifying for the reader that the "Preparation" day being referred to was specifically the day *before* the Sabbath. This detail is crucial for understanding the urgency of Jesus' burial. According to Jewish law, bodies could not remain on the cross overnight, especially if the Sabbath was approaching ([[Deuteronomy 21:22-23]]). Furthermore, no work, including the handling of a corpse for burial, was permitted once the Sabbath began at sunset. The mention of προσάββατον underscores the limited time Joseph of Arimathea had to secure permission from Pilate and inter Jesus' body before the holy day commenced. The evangelist Mark, by specifying "the day before the Sabbath," emphasizes the meticulous observance of Jewish custom even amidst the profound tragedy of the crucifixion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related term is παρασκευή (`{{G3904}}`), which means "preparation" and is often used in the Gospels to refer to the day before the Sabbath or a major festival. In [[Mark 15:42]], προσάββατον serves to clarify which "preparation day" is intended, leaving no ambiguity that it was the Friday leading into the weekly Sabbath. While παρασκευή can denote preparation for any festival, προσάββατον specifically anchors the reference to the Sabbath.
Another closely related concept is σάββατον (`{{G4521}}`), the Sabbath itself. The entire meaning of προσάββατον is predicated on the existence and sanctity of the Sabbath. Jewish law and custom dictated a strict cessation of work from sunset on Friday until sunset on Saturday. The προσάββατον was the period designated for completing all necessary tasks to ensure a proper and undisturbed Sabbath rest. This included preparing food, cleaning, and attending to any urgent matters. The urgency of Jesus' burial before the προσάββατον transitioned into the Sabbath highlights the pervasive influence of these religious observances in first-century Judea.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of προσάββατον (`{{G4315}}`) in the New Testament carries significant theological weight within the passion narrative. It underscores the historical reality and Jewish context of Jesus' death and burial. The fact that Jesus was buried in haste on the προσάββατον before the Sabbath began at sunset confirms the rapid sequence of events following the crucifixion and the meticulous adherence to Jewish law by those involved, even by Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple.
This timing also sets the stage for the resurrection. Jesus' body lay in the tomb throughout the entire Sabbath day, fulfilling the prophecy of remaining in the grave for "three days and three nights" ([[Matthew 12:40]], though interpreted broadly as parts of three distinct days). His resurrection on the "first day of the week" ([[Mark 16:2]], [[Matthew 28:1]], [[Luke 24:1]], [[John 20:1]]) then marks a profound shift from the old covenant's emphasis on the Sabbath as a day of rest to the new covenant's celebration of Sunday as the Lord's Day, commemorating the triumph over death. The προσάββατον thus serves as a critical temporal marker, bridging the crucifixion with the expectant quietude of the Sabbath and the glorious dawn of the resurrection.
### Summary
προσάββατον (`{{G4315}}`) is a precise Greek term meaning "Sabbath-eve" or "the day before the Sabbath." It is a compound of πρό ("before") and σάββατον ("Sabbath"), clearly defining its temporal reference. Its sole biblical occurrence in [[Mark 15:42]] is pivotal, clarifying that Jesus' burial took place on the Friday afternoon, just before the weekly Sabbath commenced at sunset. This detail highlights the urgency of the burial due to Jewish law and custom, which prohibited work on the Sabbath. The term is closely related to παρασκευή (`{{G3904}}`), "preparation," serving to specify the "preparation day" as the one immediately preceding the Sabbath. Theologically, προσάββατον anchors the historical account of Jesus' death and burial within its Jewish context and sets the precise chronological stage for the subsequent Sabbath rest in the tomb, culminating in the triumphant resurrection on the first day of the week.
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