Luke 23:56

Verse

Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

And they went back and got ready spices and perfumes; and on the Sabbath they took their rest, in agreement with the law.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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

Free Bible Version

They returned home and prepared spices and ointments. But on the Sabbath they rested, observing the commandment.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they returned and prepared odours, and ointments, and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandement.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

They teshuvah ·completely returned·, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbaths (Nissan 15 and 16) they rested according to the commandment.

Translation for Translators

Then the women returned to the houses where they were staying. That evening they prepared spices and ointments to put on Jesus’ body, but ◄on the Sabbath/on the Jewish rest day► they rested, according to what Moses had commanded.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. Then on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Young's Literal Translation

and having turned back, they made ready spices and ointments, and on the sabbath, indeed, they rested, according to the command.

Context

The Burial of Jesus

⁵⁵The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was placed.⁵⁶Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath, according to the commandment.

Summary

This verse describes the actions of the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and other women. After witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus, they observed where His body was laid in the tomb. They then returned home to prepare spices and perfumes for His body, resting on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Their devotion and care for Jesus even after His death reflect their deep love and commitment to Him as their Lord and Savior.

Commentary

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Prepared spices and ointments - This was in order to embalm him; which sufficiently proves that they had no hope of his resurrection the third day. And rested the Sabbath day - For though the Jewish canons allowed all works, necessary for the dead, to be done, even on the Sabbath, such as washing and anointing, provided they moved not a limb of the dead person, yet, as the Jews had put Christ to death under the pretense of his being a malefactor, it would not have been either prudent or safe to appear too forward in the present business; and therefore they rested on the Sabbath. Certain copies of the Itala have some remarkable additions in these concluding verses. The conclusion of the 48th verse, in one of them, is read thus: Beating their breasts and their foreheads, and saying, Wo to us because of what is done this day, on account of our sins; for the desolation of Jerusalem is at hand. To Luk 23:52, another adds: And when Pilate heard that he was dead, he glorified God and gave the body to Joseph. On the circumstances of the crucifixion, see the observations at the end of Matthew 27 (note), and consider how heinous sin must be in the sight of God, when it required such a sacrifice!