Lexical Summary prosabbaton: The day before the Sabbath Original Word: προσάββατον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance day before the Sabbath. From pro and sabbaton; a fore-sabbath, i.e. The Sabbath-eve -- day before the sabbath. Compare paraskeue. see GREEK pro see GREEK sabbaton see GREEK paraskeue NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and sabbaton Definition the day before the Sabbath NASB Translation day before (1), day before the Sabbath (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4315: προσάββατονπροσάββατον, προσαββάτου, τό, the day before the sabbath: Mark 15:42, R G T WH (L Tr text πρός σάββατον (cf. πρός, I. 1 b.)). (Judith 8:6; (Psalm 92:1 Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 4315 (προσάββατον) designates “the day before the Sabbath,” that is, the sixth day of the week in Jewish reckoning. Within the canonical record it functions not merely as a calendar reference but as a theological marker that frames the final hours of Jesus’ earthly suffering and the commencement of the promised rest. Biblical Occurrence Mark 15:42: “Now it was already evening. Since it was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath) …”. The evangelist explains to his largely Gentile readership when Joseph of Arimathea sought permission to bury Jesus, underscoring the urgency demanded by the fast-approaching Sabbath sunset. Historical Background 1. Jewish timekeeping counted days from sunset to sunset (Genesis 1:5). Hence the “day before the Sabbath” began at Thursday sunset and ended at Friday sunset. Theological Significance 1. Chronological Certainty. The single use of προσάββατον anchors the crucifixion on the day we now call Friday, affirming the historicity of the Passion narrative and harmonizing with “Paraskeué” (Preparation Day, John 19:14, 31). Connections to Sabbath Typology • Creation: Six days of labor culminated in divine rest; the cross brings human striving for righteousness to an end. Implications for Christian Worship and Ministry • Good Friday observance derives scriptural warrant from this term, inviting believers to meditate on the cost of redemption and enter God’s rest through faith (Hebrews 4:3). Further Study Links Compare G3904 (παρασκευή, “Preparation”), Septuagint uses of “prosabbaton” in late manuscripts, and early Christian liturgical writings (Didache 8:1) that speak of fasting on “the day before the Sabbath,” testifying to the term’s ongoing resonance in the life of the Church. Forms and Transliterations προσαββατον προσάββατον προσαββάτου prosabbaton prosábbatonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |