Albert Barnes Commentary Mark 15:42

"And when even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath," — Mark 15:42 (ASV)

The even. The time after three o'clock in the afternoon.

The preparation. The following day was to be a day of special solemnity, called the great day of the feast. More than ordinary preparation was, therefore, made for that sabbath on the day before. Hence the day was known as a day of preparation. This preparation consisted in food and other things to be used on the sabbath.