preparation for the sabbath Summary and Overview

THE PREPARA'TION DAY is the term for Friday, because on that day preparation was made and meals cooked for the Sabbath. It might be rendered "fore-Sabbath" (comp. the Greek in Mark 15:42) or "Sabbath-eve" (comp. the German Sonnabend for "Saturday"). Matt 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14, 1 Chr 24:31, 1 Chr 2:42. The "preparation of the Passover," in John 19:14, means the Paschal Friday, or the Friday occurring during the week of the Passover (as in vers. 1 Chr 24:31 and 1 Chr 2:42). On that Friday (the 15th of Nisan) Christ was crucified. PRES'ENTS played in old time and in Eastern countries a much larger part in social life than now, though in many Eastern countries at this day even the common people, in their familiar visits, take a flower or an orange, or some other token of respect, to the person visited. Gen 32:13. See Gift.