Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56

Luke 23:56
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.

What does Luke 23:56 mean?

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.

Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is part of Got Questions Ministries

For answers to your Bible questions, please visit