Devine Scripture

Luke 23:54

What does Luke 23:54 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 23:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 23:54 means

It is the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath is beginning. Time presses the burial to conclusion before the sacred rest. This detail explains the haste and the plan for the women to complete their anointing after the Sabbath. It also shows Jesus’ body at rest during the Sabbath, as His work is finished. The rhythm of God’s law is honored even in the urgency of grief. The timing underscores that nothing is out of order; divine purpose marks every hour surrounding the cross, the tomb, and the coming dawn.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it was the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now it was the day of making ready and the Sabbath was coming on.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the day was a preparation, and sabbath was approaching,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was the day of the Parasceve: and the sabbath drew on.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it was preparation day, and [the] sabbath twilight was coming on.

Context

Having described the burial, Luke situates it within the weekly calendar of Jewish life. The Sabbath’s approach limits activity and shapes what the women can do. The following verse shows them carefully observing where and how Jesus is laid, ensuring they can return after the Sabbath. The chapter will close with their preparation of spices and restful obedience, setting the stage for the resurrection narrative that opens the next chapter.

v.53And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain.

v.54This passage

v.55And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and beheld the tomb, and how his body was laid.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 19:14

    Now it was the Preparation of the passover: it was about the sixth hour. And he saith unto the Jews, Behold, your King!

  • Matthew 27:62

    Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate,

  • Mark 15:42

    And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

  • John 19:42

    There then because of the Jews’ Preparation (for the tomb was nigh at hand) they laid Jesus.

  • John 19:31

    The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

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