Luke 23:56Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

On the Sabbath, as scripture indicates, they observed a day of rest in accordance with the commandment, yet they procured spices and myrrh for the purpose of anointing Jesus. Notice, dear friends, how the details align in this instance. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and other women prepared aromatic oils on the Sabbath, intending to anoint Him at the very first opportunity on the day following the Sabbath, which is recognized as the Lord's Day. Moreover, Mary, the mother of James, often referred to as the Mother of God, was unable to endure the entirety of the night after the Sabbath due to her sorrow. Therefore, she made her way to the tomb during the late hours of the Sabbath, just after it had concluded.

For they had not yet sufficient faith, but prepared as if for a mere man spices and ointments, after the manner of the Jews, who performed such duties to their dead. Hence it follows, And they returned, and prepared spices. For our Lord being buried, they were occupied as long as it was lawful to work, (that is, until sun-set,) in preparing ointments. But it was commanded to keep silence on the Sabbath, that is, rest from evening to evening. For it follows, And rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

The wise women accompanied our universal Savior Christ, collecting what was essential for their faith in Him. Once He offered His body for the life of humanity, they hurried to care for His body, believing that it would stay in the tomb.

Now John says, that Joseph was a disciple of Jesus. Hence it is also here added, Who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. But it naturally causes surprise how he who for fear was a secret disciple should have dared to beg our Lord’s body, which none of those who openly followed Him dared to do; for it is said, This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. We must understand then, that he did this from confidence in his rank, by which he might be privileged to enter familiarly into Pilate’s presence. But in performing that last funeral rite, he seems to have eared less for the Jews, although it was his custom in hearing our Lord to avoid their hostility.

They also act absurdly who embalm the bodies of their dead, and do not bury them, even supposing them to be holy. For what can be more holy or greater than our Lord’s body? And yet this was placed in a tomb until it rose again the third day. For it follows, And he laid it in a hewn sepulchre.

Now mystically, the just man buries the body of Christ. For the burial of Christ is such as to have no guile or wickedness in it. But rightly did Matthew call the man rich, for by carrying Him that was rich he knew not the poverty of faith. The just man covers the body of Christ with linen. Do thou also clothe the body of Christ with His own glory, that thou mayest be thyself just. And if thou believest it to be dead, still cover it with the fulness of His own divinity. But the Church also is clothed with the grace of innocence.

Joseph had been at one time a secret disciple of Christ, but at length bursting through the bonds of fear, and become very zealous, he took down the body of our Lord, basely hanging on the cross; thus gaining a precious jewel by the meekness of His words. Hence it follows, And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor.

A counsellor, or decurio, is so called because he is of the order of the curia or council, and administers the office of the curia. He is also wont to be called curialis, from his management of civil duties. Joseph then is said to have been of high rank in the world, but of still higher estimation before God; as it follows, A good man, and a just, of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews, &c. Arimathæa is the same as Ramatha, the city of Helcanah and Samuel.

They purchased aromatic substances to embalm the body of Jesus. According to the Gospel of Luke, they prepared spices—dry incense and myrrh—valued highly, and for what purpose? They adorned the body of Jesus to pay tribute to their cherished Teacher and Lord. For Him, all that is valuable must be surrendered. Women of this world, take a lesson from the Myrrh-bearers on what to hold dear. Incense, fine garments, and exquisite jewelry are commendable for the spirit when dedicated to the glory of God. Otherwise, what do women expect for themselves if their fragrance mingles with the foulness of base desires, and their adornments only reflect the inner corruption? What can they hope for when they lead innocent souls, redeemed by Christ, into temptation?

Oh, if only the earthly companions of Jesus were aware of what He was accomplishing now in the realm of the dead! Their grief would be transformed into joy in an instant! Yet they dwell solely on the lifeless body, mourning the profound void left by His absence. Jesus conquers the strongholds of hell, while His followers huddle in fear, sheltered away from the Jews, locking their doors behind them. They remain unaware that Jesus' tomb is already being guarded. At the conclusion of the festival, it seems they are contemplating leaving Jerusalem entirely, a sentiment echoed by the travelers from Emmaus, as they seek to return home—homes they had temporarily abandoned in hopes of witnessing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Meanwhile, Jesus breathes life into the dead.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Josiah, were present at the site where He was laid to rest. They were positioned by the entrance of the tomb, as affirmed by Matthew the Evangelist. Other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee were also observing as Joseph and Nicodemus placed His body in the sepulcher. After this, they all returned to their homes to prepare spices and ointments for anointing Jesus' body in accordance with Jewish tradition, but they delayed this act until after the Sabbath, to honor the command regarding the rest on that holy day.

As the day approached its end, the arrival of twilight marked the start of the Sabbath. This Sabbath was particularly significant since it coincided with the Passover. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James, witnessed the burial. Once the burial rites were completed and the large stone was placed at the tomb's entrance, they remained by the grave in mourning. Later, they returned home to prepare spices and perfume for the body of their cherished Teacher and Lord. There, they joined other disciples and followers who, having begun to recover from the trauma of the previous day, gathered slowly to share in what was to be a solemn feast of deep sorrow, profound grief, and overwhelming tears, united in fellowship as they faced the coming celebration.

The impending darkness, which had already marked the beginning of the holy day, necessitated a swift burial. However, recognizing that the ritual was incomplete, the women present, as they returned home, prepared additional ‘spices and perfumes’ (Luke 23:56) with the intent to anoint the sacred body once the Sabbath was over. Yet their efforts were in vain, and their fragrant offerings would never touch the immaculate body of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They prepared spices and oils to anoint the body of the Lord afterward, as was customary among the Jews. According to Mark, the women who brought the myrrh did not purchase the perfumes on the day of the Lord's burial but did so after the Sabbath, specifically on Saturday evening—a detail of minimal significance. It is likely that they accomplished what they could on the evening of the burial before it was time to partake of the Passover lamb, when buying and selling were permitted. What they could not complete at that time was finished after the feast on Saturday evening when commerce was again allowed. On the Sabbath, they observed a rest, meaning they did not carry out their loving intention of anointing the Lord’s body in adherence to the command to refrain from work on that day.