Luke 23:50-56 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42-47 *, Matthew 27:57-61 *). Lk. tells us that Joseph had dissented from the action of his colleagues in the Sanhedrin. Pilate's assent to his request is assumed.

Luke 23:53. Codex Bezæ adds, And when he was lain there, he put against the tomb a stone which twenty men could scarcely roll.

Luke 23:54. the Sabbath drew on: lit. began to dawn. Montefiore says the word is used of the kindling of the Sabbath lights (on Friday evening). Some such explanation is demanded by the immediately previous statement that it was the day of the Preparation.

Luke 23:56 looks as though the women prepared the spices on reaching home on Friday night, i.e. on the Sabbath. They might have come to the tomb on Saturday at sunset (cf. Matthew 28:1 *), but naturally deferred their task till the daylight of Sunday. If Lk. had been a Jew he would have put the Sabbath rest (Luke 24:1) before the (purchase and) preparation of the spices and ointments, as Mk. (Mark 16:1) does. Note the additional information in Luke 23:55 compared with Mk. and Mt.

Luke 23:50-56

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

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

55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.