What is called “parasceue” in Greek, is in Latin “praeparatio”; by which name those Jews, who lived amongst Greeks, used to call the sixth day of the week, because on that day they used to prepare what was necessary for the rest of the sabbath day. Because then man was made on the sixth day, but on the seventh the Creator rested from all His work, fitly was our Saviour crucified on the sixth day, and thus fulfilled the mystery of man’s restoration.
But on the sabbath, resting in the tomb, He was waiting for the event of the Resurrection, which was to come on the eighth day. So we must also in this age of time be crucified to the world; but in the seventh day, that is, when a man has paid the debt to death, our bodies indeed must rest in the grave, but our souls after good works in hidden peace with God; till in the eighth period, even our bodies themselves, glorified in the resurrection, receive incorruption together with our souls. But the man who buried the body of the Lord must needs by his righteous merits have been worthy, and by the nobility of worldly power able to perform this service.
Therefore it is said, “An honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God.” He is called in Latin, “decurio”, because he is of the order of the “curia”, and served the office of a provincial magistracy; this officer was also called “curialis”, from his care of civic duties. Arimathaea is the same as Ramathain, the city of Elkanah and Samuel.
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).