Luke 23:54

Modern

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

Traditional

And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

Literal

And it was the Day of Preparation, and Sabbath was beginning.

Latin

Et dies erat parasceves, et sabbatum illucescebat.

Greek

English

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was beginning.

Preparation Day: This happened late on Friday afternoon. The Greek text does not specifically mention Friday. It refers to the day Jews prepare for the Sabbath day ceremonies during Passover week. The Sabbath day begins on Friday evening.
As the Sabbath was about to begin, they had to bury the body quickly. The Jews could not work during the Sabbath, which began at sunset.

Theme notes and profiles

Matthew 27:62
The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate.
John 19:31
It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed.
Mark 15:42
Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath),
John 19:14
It was the day of Preparation for the Passover, about the sixth hour. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Here is your King!”
John 19:42
And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.

Day of Preparation: The day before the Sabbath or Passover Sabbath: The seventh day of the week, set apart for rest and worship