Devine Scripture

Mark 15:42

What does Mark 15:42 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:42 means

Evening arrives; it is the Preparation, the day before the Sabbath. The timing explains the urgency: work—such as burial—must conform to Sabbath regulations. The verse sets up the context for Joseph of Arimathaea’s courageous action to bury Jesus before the Sabbath begins. It also signals the narrative pause between crucifixion and burial and helps the reader understand the careful legal and cultural concerns surrounding burial practices and respect for the Sabbath in Jewish life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when it was evening, because it was the time of getting ready, that is, the day before the Sabbath,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And now evening having come, seeing it was the preparation, that is, the fore-sabbath,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when evening was now come (because it was the Parasceve, that is, the day before the sabbath),

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when it was already evening, since it was [the] preparation, that is, [the day] before a sabbath,

Context

This follows the description of women witnesses. The notice of the day and hour explains why burial must be prompt and why Joseph acts quickly. It frames the forthcoming scene with Pilate and Joseph, where the body is requested and examined, and it gives legal and cultural grounding for why events move swiftly at day’s end.

v.41who, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him; and many other women that came up with him unto Jerusalem.

v.42This passage

v.43there came Joseph of Arimathæa, a councillor of honorable estate, who also himself was looking for the kingdom of God; and he boldly went in unto Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 23:50

    And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councillor, a good and righteous man

  • Matthew 27:57

    And when even was come, there came a rich man from Arimathæa, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:

  • John 19:38

    And after these things Joseph of Arimathæa, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took away his body.

  • 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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