Preparation day
Summary
The Preparation Day was the day before the Sabbath when Jews prepared food and completed work before the day of rest began at sunset.
☩Weekly Practice
Since work was forbidden on the Sabbath, all necessary preparations were completed on the sixth day, Friday. Food was prepared, purchases made, and any business concluded before sunset when the Sabbath began. This day is called 'the day of Preparation' in the Gospel accounts of Christ's crucifixion, indicating that Jesus died on a Friday.
☩Passover Preparation
The day before Passover was also called the Day of Preparation, when the Passover lamb was slain and preparations made for the feast. John notes that Jesus was crucified on the day of Preparation of the Passover, when the lambs were being slaughtered—highlighting His identity as the true Passover Lamb.