Dictionary Article

Term used in Scripture for the day before the Sabbath. Each of the Gospels refers to a day that it calls “the Preparation” (Mt 27:62; Mk 15:42; Lk 23:54; Jn 19:14, 31, 42 OET JHN 19:14 · OET JHN 19:31 · OET JHN 19:42), Mark calling it “the day before the Sabbath.” The Jews did not have specific names for the days (preferring to speak of “the first [second, etc.] day of the week.” But the Sabbath was distinctive, and the previous day was used to prepare for this weekly day of rest and worship. Thus, what we call “Friday” the Jews called “Preparation.” What was “prepared” is not said. But as no work could be done on the Sabbath, preparations had to be made for food and other necessities.

Show passage in OET: MAT 27:62

OET-RV MAT 27:62

62 The next day was the day after the Passover preparation day and the chief priests and the Farisaios went together to Pilatos (Pilate)

OET-LV MAT 27:62

62 And on _the day of _next, which is after the preparation day, the chief _priests and the Farisaios_party were _gathered _together to Pilatos

Show passage in OET: MRK 15:42

OET-RV MRK 15:42

42 As evening came, it was now the Preparation Day, i.e., the day before the Rest Day.

OET-LV MRK 15:42

42 And having_ already _become evening, because it _was the_preparation day, that is the_pre-day _of _rest day,

Show passage in OET: LUK 23:54

OET-RV LUK 23:54

54 It was now the day of preparation and the Rest Day was about to begin.

OET-LV LUK 23:54

54 And it _was the_day of _preparation, and the_day _of _rest was _dawning.

Show passage in OET: JHN 19:14; JHN 19:31; JHN 19:42

OET-RV JHN 19:14

14 It was now about noon on the day when the Passover meal is prepared, and Pilatos said to the Yehudim, “Look. Here’s your king.”

OET-RV JHN 19:31

31 Now because it was the preparation day for the coming Rest Day, the Yehudim (Jews) didn’t want the bodies to remain on the stakes after dusk (because it was even a special Rest Day.) So they asked Pilatos (Pilate) to command for their legs to be broken to hasten their deaths and then they could be taken down sooner.

OET-RV JHN 19:42

42 So because it was the preparation day and because the tomb was nearby, they laid his body in there.

OET-LV JHN 19:14

14 And it _was the_preparation day of _the passover_feast, the_hour was about the_sixth.
And he _is _saying to _the Youdaiōns:
Behold, the king of _you _all.

OET-LV JHN 19:31

31 Therefore the Youdaiōns, because it _was the_preparation day, in _order _that the bodies may_ not _remain on the stake on the day _of _rest (for it _was great the day of _that the day _of _rest), they _asked the Pilatos that the legs of _them may _be _broken, and they _may _be _taken _away.

OET-LV JHN 19:42

42 Therefore because _of the preparation day of _the Youdaiōns, because near was the tomb, they _laid the Yaʸsous there.

Jump to OET MAT 27:62 section.

Jump to OET MRK 15:42 section.

Jump to OET LUK 23:54 section.

Jump to OET JHN 19:14 section. · OET JHN 19:31 section. · OET JHN 19:42 section.

“The Preparation of the Passover” (Jn 19:14) is often understood to mean “Passover eve,” the day before Passover, just as “the Preparation” means the day before the Sabbath. There appears, however, to be no specific extrabiblical examples of the day before Passover being called “the Preparation” or “the Preparation of the Passover.”

Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary