Luke 23:56
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 23:56
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Chapter Context
Luke 23 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of truth, righteousness, mercy. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-56: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 23:56
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Analysis
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. The faithful women demonstrate devotion even in grief. The phrase hypostrepsasai de hētoimasan arōmata kai myra (ὑποστρέψασαι δὲ ἡτοίμασαν ἀρώματα καὶ μύρα, 'and having returned, they prepared spices and ointments') shows immediate action—they return from seeing the tomb (v. 55) to prepare burial materials. Arōmata (ἀρώματα, 'aromatic spices') and myra (μύρα, 'perfumed ointments') were expensive materials used to anoint corpses and mask decomposition. Their preparation shows love and honor—they give their best to the dead Christ.
Yet faith and law balance: kai to men sabbaton hēsychasan kata tēn entolēn (καὶ τὸ μὲν σάββατον ἡσύχασαν κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, 'and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment'). Despite urgency—bodies decompose quickly in Mediterranean heat—they hēsychazō (ἡσυχάζω, 'rest, be quiet, cease from labor') kata tēn entolēn (κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν, 'according to the commandment'). They obey the Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) even while mourning. Their Sabbath rest contrasts with the religious leaders' Sabbath murder-plotting. True piety honors God's law; false piety manipulates it.
Historical Context
The Sabbath began Friday sunset and lasted until Saturday sunset. Jesus died Friday afternoon (likely 3 PM); burial occurred before sunset (Joseph and Nicodemus worked hastily—John 19:38-42). The women observed the tomb location (v. 55) then rushed home to prepare spices before Sabbath began. They rested all Saturday, planning to return Sunday dawn (Luke 24:1). Their Sabbath rest shows they didn't expect resurrection—they prepared to anoint a corpse. Yet their faithfulness positioned them to be first witnesses of the empty tomb and resurrection (Luke 24:1-10). Obedience places us where God's surprises meet us.
Reflection
- What does the women's expensive preparation of burial spices reveal about their love for Christ?
- How does their Sabbath rest despite urgency demonstrate true versus false piety?
- Why does God reward their faithful Sabbath-keeping by making them first resurrection witnesses?