ὀψίας. A vague word, here used of the time between 3.0 p.m. and sunset.

ἐπεὶ ἦν παρασκευή. This is pointed out by Lk. also. The Sabbath began at sunset, and there must be no delay. If Joseph had not been prompt, Christ’s enemies would have had His Body put, with those of the two robbers, into the grave where criminals were interred (John 19:31). Even if the Sabbath had not begun that evening, it would have been contrary to Jewish law to allow the bodies to remain unburied after nightfall. See Driver on Deuteronomy 21:22-23; Joseph. B.J. IV. Mark 15:2. Παρασκευή is the regular name for Friday in the Greek Church. Mk explains the term for Gentile readers; nowhere else does he use ἐπεί. Προσάββατον occurs Jdt 8:6 and in the title of Psalms 92 (93).

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Old Testament