Preparation
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Preparation in the Bible?
The term 'preparation' (Greek: paraskeue) refers to the day preceding the Sabbath, specifically Friday, which served as the designated time for ritual purification and the preparation of meals to avoid work during the holy rest.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this term clarifies the chronological framework of the crucifixion narratives, demonstrating how the Gospel accounts align with Jewish customs regarding the immediate need to bury bodies before sunset on the Sabbath.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Preparation. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Preparation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Preparation clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Preparation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/preparation/