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Book of Luke - Chapter 23 - Verse 56

23:56
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Meaning

When the women discovered that Jesus's body was missing from the tomb, they returned home to prepare spices and ointments to properly anoint His body. This act of preparing spices and ointments was a customary practice during that time to show respect and honor to the deceased. The women wanted to ensure that Jesus's body would be treated with the utmost care and reverence. Additionally, the women rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment. The Sabbath was a day of rest and worship for the Jewish people, as commanded in the Old Testament. By resting on the Sabbath, the women were following Jewish tradition and obeying God's law. This verse highlights the reverence and obedience of the women to both cultural customs and religious commandments.

Theological Overview

One key theological interpretation of this verse is the disciples' obedience to the Sabbath commandment. In Jewish tradition, the Sabbath, which falls on the seventh day of the week, was a day of rest and worship as ordained by God in the Old Testament. Despite the urgency of the situation, the disciples honored the Sabbath by abstaining from work and instead focusing on preparing spices and ointments for Jesus' burial. This act of obedience reflects their commitment to following the teachings of Jesus, including the observance of the commandments. Additionally, the disciples' action of resting on the Sabbath demonstrates their faith and trust in God's sovereignty, even in the midst of grief and confusion. By honoring the Sabbath, they exemplify a deep respect for God's laws and a recognition of His ultimate authority.

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