Luke 23:56 (KJV)

What does Luke 23:56 mean?

Luke 23:56 describes how, after Jesus’ death, the women who had followed Him returned home, prepared spices and ointments for His body, and then rested on the Sabbath day in obedience to the Jewish commandment. This verse highlights both their devotion to Jesus and their commitment to following the Sabbath law.

The setting is just after Jesus’ crucifixion. The women, who had witnessed His death, wanted to honor Him by preparing burial spices and ointments, a common Jewish practice. However, because the Sabbath was beginning, they paused their preparations and observed the day of rest, showing respect for the commandment given in the Jewish law.

The Greek behind Luke 23:56

• ἀνέστρεψαν (anestrepsan, "returned") and ἡτοίμασαν (hētoimasan, "prepared") both show deliberate, purposeful actions by the women, emphasizing their intention to care for Jesus’ body.
• ἀρώματα (arōmata, "spices") and μύρα (myra, "ointments") refer to the materials used for burial, underlining the women’s respect and care for Jesus even after His death.
• ἡσύχασαν (hēsychasan, "rested") is used here for resting on the Sabbath, carrying the sense of ceasing from work, in line with Jewish tradition.
• κατὰ τὴν ἐντολήν (kata tēn entolēn, "according to the commandment") points directly to their obedience to the Mosaic Law, making clear that their actions were shaped by religious duty.

Why Luke 23:56 matters

• Luke 23:56 clarifies that the women did not break Sabbath law, but waited until after the Sabbath to finish preparing Jesus’ body, showing their respect for both Jesus and their faith.
• This verse connects the events of Jesus’ burial with Jewish customs, grounding the story in its historical and religious context.
• The verse sets up the narrative for the resurrection by explaining why the women returned to the tomb after the Sabbath, providing continuity in the story.