When did the women buy the spices: after the Sabbath (Mark 16:1) or before, preparing them and resting on the Sabbath (Luke 23:55-24:1)? Overview of the Question The question concerns two passages describing when certain women purchased and prepared spices for Jesus’ burial. Mark 16:1 indicates a purchase “when the Sabbath was over,” whereas Luke 23:55–24:1 suggests that the women prepared these spices before the Sabbath and rested on the Sabbath day itself. This topic often raises questions about how to reconcile these two accounts. Below is a thorough exploration of these verses from multiple angles—textual context, historical practices surrounding the Sabbath, and the timeline of events leading up to the women arriving at the tomb. Relevant Biblical Passages “When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could go and anoint Jesus’ body.” “The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how His body was placed. Then they returned to prepare spices and perfumes. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared.” Background Context on Burials and Spices 1. Jewish Burial Customs: In first-century Judea, anointing a body with spices and perfumes was common practice. These scents honored the deceased and mitigated the odor of decay in a rock-hewn tomb. Such anointing was considered an act of love and devotion. 2. Sabbath Observance: According to Jewish law, no customary work—including buying or selling—was done on the Sabbath (from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). Preparation for burial, even if for a revered teacher like Jesus, would be carefully planned around Sabbath restrictions. 3. Timing of Purchases: If the crucifixion occurred on a Friday leading into the Sabbath, purchases would have to be made quickly on that Friday before sundown or after the Sabbath ended on Saturday night. Explaining the Apparent Discrepancy Two key observations help reconcile these passages: 1. Possible Multiple Phases of Spice Acquisition: - Luke 23:56 notes that the women “returned to prepare spices and perfumes” shortly after witnessing Jesus placed in the tomb. This suggests they already had some materials on hand or were preparing what they could before the Sabbath began. - Mark 16:1 mentions the buying of spices “when the Sabbath was over.” This could indicate that whatever additional spices they needed, or perhaps the final batch they wanted, had to be purchased after the Sabbath officially ended—on Saturday evening or very early Sunday morning (which, by Jewish reckoning, would still be considered after the Sabbath had passed). 2. Jewish Day Reckoning: - A new day in Jewish culture begins at sundown. Thus, once Saturday’s sundown arrived, the Sabbath was complete. If Mark reports a purchase “when the Sabbath was over,” it could have happened on what we call Saturday night. - Luke focuses on a moment earlier in the timeline (late afternoon Friday), detailing how the women prepared spices with the intention of returning right after the Sabbath rest. Luke’s text highlights their observance of the Sabbath commandment, while Mark points to an additional purchase or final procuring of necessary spices after that day of rest concluded. Possible Harmonization of the Timeline 1. Friday (Crucifixion Day): Jesus is crucified and dies. Joseph of Arimathea quickly places Him in the tomb before the Sabbath begins. The women see the tomb and note where Jesus is laid. 2. Friday Evening (Before Sundown): The women gather or begin preparing what spices they can, possibly from what was readily available at home. 3. Sabbath (Friday Sundown to Saturday Sundown): Work and commerce pause. The women do not engage in further buying; they rest in obedience to the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8–11). 4. Saturday Evening (After Sundown): The Sabbath ends. The women may purchase additional spices at this time, as Mark 16:1 states, “When the Sabbath was over… they bought spices.” 5. Early Sunday Morning: The women arrive at the tomb “very early in the morning,” per Luke 24:1, carrying the spices they had prepared and finalized. Cultural and Historical Notes 1. Archaeological & Cultural Evidence: - Many first-century tombs around Jerusalem have stone benches or niches for bodies, and families often anointed the deceased with spices. Archaeological findings of spice containers and ossuaries in Judea corroborate these burial customs. - Ancient Jewish writings, such as portions of the Mishnah, emphasize strict Sabbath observance, preventing market activity on the Sabbath. This cultural backdrop explains why no purchases would have been made between Friday sundown and Saturday sundown. 2. Manuscript Reliability: - Multiple early manuscripts of Mark and Luke give the same sequence of events, showing consistent wording about the timing before and after the Sabbath. - The slight variations in perspective underscore that each Gospel author highlighted particular details and had a distinct focus. Mark emphasized the post-Sabbath purchase, while Luke emphasized the pre-Sabbath preparation. Both perspectives are preserved in the manuscript tradition without alteration. Conclusion The most coherent explanation is that the women initially prepared a portion of the spices before the Sabbath began (as Luke describes), then, once the Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday, they purchased any additional spices or materials needed (as Mark describes). Early on the next morning—Sunday—they went to the tomb to anoint Jesus. Far from contradicting each other, these Gospel accounts illuminate different aspects of the same timeline. Luke underscores their careful Sabbath observance and early preparation, while Mark highlights the final purchase once the day of rest had ended. The historical customs of first-century Judea, combined with the textual clues about the Sabbath’s start and end, form a consistent picture of faithful individuals seeking to honor their Teacher in the best way they knew—by showing up with prepared spices at the earliest possible time after the Sabbath. |
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