Luke 23:54-56

23:54 It was the day of preparation ¹  and the Sabbath was beginning. ²  23:55 The ³  women who had accompanied Jesus ⁴  from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 23:56 Then ⁵  they returned and prepared aromatic spices ⁶  and perfumes. ⁷ 

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. ⁸ 

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¹ sn The day of preparation was the day before the Sabbath when everything had to be prepared for it, as no work could be done on the Sabbath.

² tn Normally, “dawning,” but as the Jewish Sabbath begins at 6 p.m., “beginning” is more appropriate.

³ tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

⁴ tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁵ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

⁶ tn On this term see BDAG 140-41 s.v. ἄρωμα. The Jews did not practice embalming, so these preparations were used to cover the stench of decay and slow decomposition. The women planned to return and anoint the body. But that would have to wait until after the Sabbath.

⁷ tn Or “ointments.” This was another type of perfumed oil.

⁸ sn According to the commandment. These women are portrayed as pious, faithful to the law in observing the Sabbath.