Luke 23:56
“They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”
What does Luke 23:56 mean?
After Jesus died, the women who had followed him wanted to honor his body with the customary burial spices and oils, but they ran out of time before sundown when the Sabbath began. So they prepared everything they needed and then, faithful to Jewish law, they rested on the Sabbath day instead of going to the tomb. This moment captures something deeply human: they were grieving and eager to care for someone they loved, yet they paused to honor both their tradition and their faith. It shows us that even in profound loss and urgency, these followers maintained their trust in God's rhythms and commands, waiting until the Sabbath ended to complete their act of devotion.