42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,



Ver. 42. The day before the sabbath] Their preparation to the sabbath began at three o’clock in the afternoon. The Jews of Tiberias began their sabbath sooner than others; those at Tsepphore continued it longer; adding de profano ad sacrum. (Buxtorf.) Among our forefathers, at the ringing of the bell to prayer on Saturday evening, the husbandman would stop his labour in the field, and the tradesman his work in the shop, and set themselves to prepare for the sabbath. Among the Jews to this day in many cities, there is one goes about and proclaims the approaching of the sabbath, about half an hour before it begins, that they may prepare.