Preparation Day, often referred to as the day before the Sabbath, holds significant importance in biblical tradition and practice. It is a time designated for preparing for the Sabbath, ensuring that all necessary tasks are completed so that the Sabbath can be observed as a day of rest and worship, in accordance with God's commandments.

Scriptural References:

1. Mark 15:42 : "Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath)..."
· This passage highlights the timing of events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, indicating that His body was taken down from the cross on Preparation Day, emphasizing the urgency to complete burial preparations before the Sabbath began.

2. Luke 23:54 : "It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was just beginning."
· Here, the Gospel of Luke underscores the transition from Preparation Day to the Sabbath, marking the importance of completing all necessary work before the onset of the Sabbath.

3. John 19:31 : "It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a high Sabbath. So the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed."
· This verse illustrates the Jewish leaders' concern for maintaining the sanctity of the Sabbath, especially when it coincided with a high holy day, by ensuring that the crucified bodies were not left on the crosses.

4. Exodus 16:5 : "On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and it will be twice as much as they gather on the other days."
· In the context of gathering manna, this commandment from God to the Israelites establishes the principle of preparation, ensuring that the people had enough provisions to observe the Sabbath without labor.

5. Exodus 20:8-10 : "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God."
· While not directly mentioning Preparation Day, this commandment forms the basis for its observance, as it mandates that all work be completed in the six days leading up to the Sabbath.

6. Matthew 27:62 : "The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate."
· This verse situates the events following Jesus' crucifixion within the context of the Jewish calendar, indicating the day after Preparation Day as the Sabbath.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

Preparation Day is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, serving as a practical and spiritual precursor to the Sabbath. It is a day of anticipation and readiness, ensuring that the Sabbath can be observed without distraction or interruption. The emphasis on preparation underscores the importance of the Sabbath as a covenantal sign between God and His people, a day set apart for rest and spiritual renewal.

In the New Testament, the mention of Preparation Day in the context of Jesus' crucifixion and burial highlights its continued observance and significance during the time of Christ. The urgency to complete tasks before the Sabbath reflects the Jewish leaders' adherence to the law and the cultural norms of the time.

Overall, Preparation Day serves as a reminder of the importance of intentionality in worship and the observance of God's commandments, ensuring that the Sabbath remains a holy and restful day dedicated to the Lord.Matthew 27:62
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together to Pilate,
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Mark 15:42
And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,
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Luke 23:54
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
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John 19:14,31,42
And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he said to the Jews, Behold your King!
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On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... was of reassurance, of consolation, of preparation, of teaching. ... the impression,
that, amidst the general confusion, all ... It was toward evening; the day was far ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

Days of Preparation
... Lesson 13 Days of Preparation. ... A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but
his death ... him." The gates of the city were diligently guarded day and night to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 13 days of preparation.htm

The General Resurrection
... The General Resurrection ... writer, who has many admirers in the present day, has ventured ...
incapable of sustaining the glories of heaven, without a preparation. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlii the general resurrection.htm

General Index.
... Advent message, proclamation of, timely, 351-354. general proclamation of,
355-374. ... preparation for, in 1844, 401-403. ... not the Lord's day, 447. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

On the Sufficiency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures In
... themselves, we distinguish by the general term, "inspiration ... Spirit does not serve
for preparation, but contains ... Christ the same yesterday, to-day, and forever ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 2 on the sufficiency.htm

Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ...
... that centuries before our Lord's advent, preparation began to ... its first appearance
and onward with general favor ... In our Saviour's day it was in very general use ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiv language of the.htm

the life of constantine
... Scriptures. Chapter XVIII.--He enjoins the General Observance of
the Lord's Day, and the Day of Preparation. Chapter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

The Gospels in General
... our canon, and that many at the present day deny the ... They treat successively of the
Lords preparation for the ... it seems to account for the general agreement in ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... I know that neither he, nor even a general council, has ... books which have influence
at the present day must needs ... is a worthy or an unworthy preparation for it. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Concerning Worship.
... will be strongly exercised as in a day of battle ... of the Spirit, save only that general
one of ... is specially prefixed as a previous preparation thereunto; we do ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

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