Luke 23 56

Luke 23:56 kjv

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Luke 23:56 nkjv

Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

Luke 23:56 niv

Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

Luke 23:56 esv

Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Luke 23:56 nlt

Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 56 Meaning

Luke 23:56 describes the actions of the women who had followed Jesus, immediately after His burial. Having observed where Jesus was laid, they returned to Jerusalem or their dwelling to procure and prepare aromatic spices and ointments for the customary anointing of His body. Crucially, they paused their preparation work as the Sabbath began, diligently observing the divine command to rest on that holy day. This verse highlights their profound devotion, adherence to Jewish custom and law, and the solemn reality of Jesus' death in their eyes.

Luke 23 56 Context

Luke 23:56 concludes the narrative section dealing with Jesus' death and burial, immediately preceding the resurrection account. Verses 54-55 establish the setting: Jesus' body was placed in Joseph's tomb just as the Sabbath was beginning, making any further preparation of the body impossible on Friday evening. The women from Galilee, who had followed Jesus and witnessed His death (Luke 23:49), also observed where He was laid (Luke 23:55). Driven by grief and devotion, and respecting the cultural customs of the time for the deceased, they quickly made initial preparations for anointing the body with spices. The crucial element is the imposition of the Sabbath, a divine commandment for rest that overrides even the most pressing duties. Their obedience to this commandment meant halting their work and resting throughout the entire Sabbath day (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown), with the intent to complete the burial rituals on the first day of the week, Sunday. This historical context highlights the strict observance of the Sabbath by pious Jews and frames the expectation for the next day, unbeknownst to them, with the impending resurrection.

Luke 23 56 Word analysis

• Then (δὲ, de): A connective particle, indicating a transition or consequence from the previous actions described, specifically following their observation of the tomb.
• they (αὐταὶ, autai): Refers specifically to "the women who had come with Him from Galilee" (Luke 23:55). This highlights their continuous, devoted presence and agency.
• returned (ὑπέστρεψαν, hypestrepsan): From hypostrephō, meaning to turn back, return. This implies they went back to where they were staying, likely a lodging in or near Jerusalem. It denotes a deliberate action after having witnessed the burial.
• and prepared (ἡτοίμασαν, hētoimasan): From hetoimazō, meaning to prepare, make ready, provide. This suggests an active and careful process, likely involving crushing or mixing the substances. It shows foresight and diligence in their grief.
• spices (ἀρώματα, arōmata): Plural of arōma, referring to aromatic substances, perfumes, or sweet-smelling spices. These were commonly used in ancient Jewish burials, not for full embalming (as in Egypt), but to counteract decomposition odors and show reverence.
• and ointments (καὶ μύρα, kai myra): Plural of myron, meaning fragrant oils or unguents. Often a liquid form, contrasted with the solid or powdered spices, also for anointing the body. This dual mention signifies a thorough preparation.
• And on the Sabbath (καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον, kai to men sabbaton): Refers to the seventh day of the week, Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, designated as a day of complete rest in the Mosaic Law. The phrase "tὸ μὲν" emphasizes this specific day, contrasting it with the active preparation that preceded it.
• they rested (ἡσύχασαν, hēsuchasan): From hēsuchazō, meaning to be quiet, be silent, cease from labor, rest. It conveys a calm, intentional cessation of activity, aligning with the spirit of the Sabbath. This obedience is significant, showing their deep piety even amidst immense grief.
• according to (κατὰ, kata): Preposition indicating conformity or accordance with.
• the commandment (τὴν ἐντολήν, tēn entolēn): Refers to a divine injunction or precept, specifically the fourth commandment (Exod 20:8-11, Deut 5:12-15) regarding the observance of the Sabbath. This highlights their fidelity to God's law above their personal desire or cultural practice.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments": This phrase captures the immediate practical response of the women to Jesus' burial. It shows their active grief and profound devotion to His body, even after death. The 'return' implies a hurried gathering of materials to complete what they started or planned for before the Sabbath intervened.
• "And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment": This segment highlights the overriding authority of divine law over personal inclination or urgent circumstances. Despite their urgent need and desire to tend to Jesus' body, they meticulously observed the Sabbath commandment. This detail reinforces their genuine piety and faithfulness to Jewish Law. It also sets up a stark contrast: their deep sorrow and adherence to burial rites alongside the Sabbath rest precedes the unprecedented joy and new reality of the resurrection, demonstrating the full human experience before the divine breakthrough.

Luke 23 56 Bonus section

The strict observance of the Sabbath by these women, even in their profound grief, serves as a powerful testament to the rootedness of the early followers of Jesus within Jewish custom and law. It highlights that Christianity did not emerge as an immediate rebellion against Jewish tradition but rather as a fulfillment that initially respected many of its aspects. Their pause for the Sabbath before the resurrection can be seen as a micro-cosmic reflection of creation's original Sabbath: a period of rest before a new creation begins. Jesus' rest in the tomb over the Sabbath parallels God's rest on the seventh day after the completion of His creative work, preceding the dawn of a new, redemptive creation on Sunday. The women’s piety unknowingly paved the way for the revelation of Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath and the ushering in of the new covenant, where the first day of the week would take on new significance for Christian worship.

Luke 23 56 Commentary

Luke 23:56 provides a poignant glimpse into the immediate aftermath of Jesus' crucifixion from the perspective of His devoted female followers. It portrays their deep sorrow and unwavering commitment. Having watched Jesus die and be hastily buried due to the approaching Sabbath, these women did not despair into inaction. Instead, driven by love and custom, they promptly initiated the process of preparing fragrant spices and ointments. This preparation was not merely for ritual but was a practical expression of their reverence and a deeply human act of caring for the beloved deceased.

The most striking detail is their scrupulous observance of the Sabbath. Despite the urgent and profound emotional impulse to continue tending to Jesus' body, they conscientiously ceased their labor as the holy day began, resting as mandated by God's commandment. This obedience underscores their piety and adherence to the Law, even in their immense grief. It highlights the pervasive authority of the Sabbath in Jewish life and, perhaps inadvertently, authenticates the finality of Jesus' death: He was truly dead and subject to typical human burial practices and time constraints.

Moreover, this period of enforced rest is fraught with dramatic irony. While the women rested in sorrow, convinced they were preparing for a permanent burial, Jesus, their Lord, lay "resting" in the tomb, fulfilling the true Sabbath rest of the universe's redeemer. Their pause on the Sabbath, compelled by divine law, unknowingly became a period of anticipation, preceding the grandest display of God's power—the Resurrection on the first day of the week. Their human obedience beautifully frames the divine unfolding of redemption, bridging the cross to the empty tomb.

• Example for Practical Usage: This verse can encourage believers to maintain spiritual disciplines (like rest, worship, or devotion) even when circumstances are challenging or seem to demand immediate action. It illustrates faithfulness in sorrow and patience in waiting for God's timing.