The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Ver. 31. Because it was the preparation] Their preparation to the sabbath began at three of the clock in the afternoon? a The best and wealthiest of them, even those that had many servants, did with their own hands further the preparation; so that sometimes the masters themselves would chop herbs, sweep the house, cleave wood, kindle the fire. Our ancestors also were wont to give over work on the Saturday, when it rang to even song. And usually as men measure to God in preparation, he re-measureth to them in blessing. King Edgar ordained that Sunday should be solemnized in this land from Saturday, nine of the clock, till Monday morning. The Jews, before their preparation, had their fore-preparation; and before their sabbath, their fore-sabbath, their sabbatulum ante sabbatum. b Those of Tiberias began the sabbath sooner than others; those at Tsepphore continued it longer, adding De profano ad sacrum. We are now so far from this, that we trench upon the holy time, and say, "When will the sabbath be over?" yea, in too many places God's sacred sabbath is made the voider and dunghill for all refuse businesses; as by others, it is made as Bacchus' orgies, with ales, May games, c &c. So that it should be named according to these men's observing of it, Daemoniacus potius quam Dominicus, The devil is prefrred to God, as Alsted hath it. (Encyclopaedia.)
a They might go no farther on the preparation day than three parsae, i.e. twelve miles, lest coming home too late they might not have leisure to prepare. Buxt. Synagog. Judaica. In Meth. Curandi, cap. de Catal. p. 98.
b προπαρασκευη, Matthew 27:62. προσαββατον, Mark 15:42. Ante sabbatum Vetus ecclesia vigiliam vocabat. Buxtorf.
c The merrymaking and sports associated with the first of May. ŒD