Bible Dictionary
DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH
The day before the Sabbath was the day of preparation. People prepared food, completed necessary work, cleansed themselves, arranged their homes, and made ready for the Sabbath or a festival Sabbath.
Definition
The day before the Sabbath was the day of preparation. It was devoted to preparing food, completing necessary labor, bathing, purification, festive clothing, and arranging the household for the Sabbath or a feast Sabbath.
Biblical Usage
The preparation day appears in the Gospel accounts before the Sabbath and before a feast Sabbath. It included work that could not be performed on the Sabbath but needed to be completed beforehand.
Historical Background
Food preparation began about midafternoon. In later practice, leaven was removed from the house before Easter. Roman authorities recognized the day by limiting certain court proceedings and journeys.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(he paraskeue, "preparation"): Considered as a day of preparation, in accordance with Ex 16:23, both before the regular Sabbath and before a feast Sabbath (Mt 27:62; Mr 15:42; Lu 23:54; Joh 19:14,31,42). At 3 p. m., the Hebrews began to prepare their food for the next day, and to perform all labors which were forbidden to be done on the Sabbath and yet must be done. They bathed and purified themselves, dressed in festive apparel, set their tables, and lighted their lamps. On the day before Easter, the Hebrews of the later period made it their chief business to remove all leaven from the house (1Co 5:7). This custom of converting at least a portion of the day before the Sabbath into a holy day was recognized by the Romans to such an extent that, according to a rescript of Augustus, Jews need not appear in court after 3 p. m. on such days. Criminal cases were not brought before court on this day, and journeys exceeding 12 Roman miles were prohibited. The signal for the preparations was given by the priests by means of trumpets blown six times at intervals.</p><p>Frank E. Hirsch</p>