Luke 23:56 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: And then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

CSB: Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

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.

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

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

From the earliest days of Jesus' ministry, women followed Him. They listened to His teaching, supported Him financially, and honored Him (Luke 8:1–3). They are not looking for prominent roles in His kingdom; they are looking for Him: His kindness and acceptance, as well as freedom from demons, disease, and sin.

As women in a patriarchal society, they have many disadvantages. Jesus mitigates some of these, not least by welcoming them into His inner group of disciples. On the day of the crucifixion, however, they take advantage of one characteristic they share: they are nearly invisible. Around the cross, soldiers divide Jesus' clothes and mock Him as the King of the Jews. Religious leaders joke to each other that He claims to be the Son of God but cannot save Himself. Passersby and convicted criminals do the same (Matthew 27:34–44; Mark 15:29–32; Luke 23:36–39).

Somehow, the women can stay close, just beside the cross—close enough to hear Jesus tell John to take care of His mother (John 19:25–27). It seems at some point, John takes Mary away, protecting her from the jeering crowds and from watching her son die. The other women move off, watching from a distance when Jesus breathes His last (Luke 23:49).

They keep watching as the soldier puts his spear through Jesus' side. When they take His body down and give it to Joseph of Arimathea—a member of the Sanhedrin but a secret disciple as well—the women follow Joseph and watch him meet Nicodemus. The two men wrap Jesus' body with linen, aloe, and myrrh, then lay it in a tomb (John 19:38–41). And they watch Joseph roll a large stone over the entrance to the tomb (Matthew 27:60).

The men have done what they can, and undoubtedly the women appreciate it. But more should be done. The women return to the homes where they are staying and spend the last few moments before sundown accumulating and preparing more spices and ointments. They will purchase more when they can (Mark 16:1).

When they finish, they rest. It is the Sabbath when no more work can be done. They don't know that the Pharisees will go to Pilate and ask that the tomb be made secure. Soldiers will wrap the seam around the stone with a cord and cover it with wax. Then they'll guard the entrance. The women knew they'd have a difficult time moving the stone; now to do so is illegal (Matthew 27:62–66; Mark 16:1–3).

They won't have to worry, however. By the time they get there on Sunday morning, the stone will already be moved.

In Luke 23:50–56, Jesus has died and His follower from the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, takes responsibility to bury His body. The women from Galilee follow and watch so they may add to the aromatics after the Sabbath. Mark 15:42–47 records much of the same information. Matthew 27:57–66 includes how the Sanhedrin asks Pilate to make Jesus' tomb secure. John 19:31–42 goes into more detail about how the soldiers ensure Jesus is dead and adds that Nicodemus helps Joseph. In Luke 24, Jesus rises from the dead and meets with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. At the end, He ascends into heaven.

Luke 23 records Jesus' civil trials, crucifixion, and burial. The members of the Sanhedrin have put Jesus through three trials in their attempt to convince Pilate He's a threat (Luke 22:47–71). Their case is weak, but their political influence is powerful enough to force Pilate's hand. Jesus is executed. Three days after Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus, Jesus reappears on the road to Emmaus where He explains Messianic prophecies in Jewish Scriptures. After spending time with His followers, Jesus ascends into heaven (Luke 24) and the disciples build the church (Acts).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.