Luke 23:50-56

The Burial of Jesus (Mark 15:42 *, Matthew 27:57 *). 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.