Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 23:56

"And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment." — Luke 23:56 (ASV)

Luke goes on to note the women’s careful preparation of the spices in advance of Easter morning. The women did not do this on the Sabbath, even though Jewish tradition apparently would have allowed care for the dead on a Sabbath. In this way Luke stresses one more time the fidelity of Jesus and his followers to Jewish laws.