And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
MARK 15:42KJVWhat does Mark 15:42 mean?
Mark 15:42 explains that evening had arrived, and it was the day of preparation—the day before the Sabbath. This detail sets the timing for the events that follow, showing that Jesus’ crucifixion happened just before the Jewish Sabbath began.
The verse is part of Mark’s account of Jesus’ death. Mark is narrating to his readers, giving them the context that Jewish law required certain things to be done before the Sabbath, a day of rest. This timing is important because it explains why those involved hurried to bury Jesus before sunset, when the Sabbath would start and work would be forbidden.
The Greek behind Mark 15:42
- παρασκευή (paraskeuē, “preparation”): This word refers to the day before the Sabbath, when Jewish people would get everything ready because no work could be done on the Sabbath itself. Mark uses this term to help readers unfamiliar with Jewish customs understand why there was urgency.
- σάββατον (sabbaton, “Sabbath”): This is the weekly day of rest in Jewish tradition, beginning at sunset on Friday. Mentioning it here highlights the religious and cultural setting, explaining the rush to complete burial before the Sabbath began.
Why Mark 15:42 matters
- Mark 15:42 clarifies the timeline of Jesus’ death and burial, helping readers understand why there was a rush to act before sunset.
- The verse shows Mark’s effort to explain Jewish customs to a broader audience, making the narrative accessible to non-Jewish readers.
- This detail connects directly to the following verses, setting up the actions of Joseph of Arimathea and others who sought to bury Jesus before the Sabbath restrictions took effect.