High Sabbath or Annual Sabbath
In the Exodus story, deliverance is not the end of the journey, it's the beginning of the path for a people to sanctify themselves to prepare to receive a new law; a holy convocation. The old life of Egypt is being put away, and the people are being re-formed into a covenant community capable of receiving a new way of living. Rest becomes sacred space where identity catches up with redemption.
That same pattern appears here. After the deliverance is secured and death is symbolically and literally put away, the Sabbath rest provides a sanctifying pause.
John makes a point of sharing some key information; he refers to the Sabbath following the crucifixion specifically as a "High Day" (John 19:31). This is different than a normal Sabbath.
When was Jesus born and when did he die?
Jesus has been hastily buried prior to the beginning of the Sabbath. This Sabbath is the first of two Sabbaths this week.
- The Burial is completed before nightfall.
- Passover meal after sundown begins the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
- A High Sabbath prohibits work.
- The first night and the first day in the tomb are completed
This High Sabbath is the holy convocation. The time for Jesus' disciples to prepare for what's coming.
John 19:31 (KJV)
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Luke 23:55 (KJV)
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (KJV)
22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:
23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.