Luke 23:55-56

Context
23:55 The¹ women who had accompanied Jesus² from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 23:56 Then³ they returned and prepared aromatic spices⁴ and perfumes.⁵

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.⁶

[23:55] ¹tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.

[23:55] ²tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[23:56] ³tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[23:56] ⁴tn On this term see BDAG 140-41 s.v. ἄρωμα. The Jews did not practice embalming, so these preparations were used to cover the stench of decay and slow decomposition. The women planned to return and anoint the body. But that would have to wait until after the Sabbath.

[23:56] ⁵tn Or “ointments.” This was another type of perfumed oil.

[23:56] ⁶sn According to the commandment. These women are portrayed as pious, faithful to the law in observing the Sabbath.