Bible Dictionaries
Preparation, Prepare, Prepared

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

denotes (a) "readiness," (b) "preparation;" it is found in Ephesians 6:15 , of having the feet shod with the "preparation" of the Gospel of peace; it also has the meaning of firm footing (foundation), as in the Sept. of Psalm 89:14 (RV, "foundation"); if that is the meaning in Ephesians 6:15 , the Gospel itself is to be the firm footing of the believer, his walk being worthy of it and therefore a testimony in regard to it. See READY.

denotes "preparation, equipment." The day on which Christ died is called "the Preparation" in Mark 15:42; John 19:31; in John 19:42 "the Jews' Preparation," RV; in John 19:14 it is described as "the Preparation of the Passover;" in Luke 23:54 , RV, "the day of the Preparation (and the Sabbath drew on)." The same day is in view in Matthew 27:62 , where the events recorded took place on "the day after the Preparation" (RV). The reference would be to the 6th day of the week. The title arose from the need of preparing food etc. for the Sabbath. Apparently it was first applied only to the afternoon of the 6th day; later, to the whole day. In regard to the phraseology in John 19:14 , many hold this to indicate the "preparation" for the paschal feast. It probably means "the Preparation day," and thus falls in line with the Synoptic Gospels. In modern Greek and ecclesiastical Latin, Parasceve == Friday.

"to prepare, make ready," is used (I) absolutely, e.g., Mark 14:15; Luke 9:52; (II) with an object, e.g., (a) of those things which are ordained (1) by God, such as future positions of authority, Matthew 20:23; the coming Kingdom, Matthew 25:34; salvation personified in Christ, Luke 2:31; future blessings, 1 Corinthians 2:9; a city, Hebrews 11:16; a place of refuge for the Jewish remnant, Revelation 12:6; Divine judgments on the world, Revelation 8:6; 9:7,15; 16:12; eternal fire, for the Devil and his angels, Matthew 25:41; (2) by Christ: a place in Heaven for His followers, John 14:2,3; (b) of human "preparation" for the Lord, e.g., Matthew 3:3; 26:17,19; Luke 1:17 ("make ready"),76; 3:4, AV (RV, "make ye ready"); Luke 9:52 ("to make ready"); 23:56; Revelation 19:7; 21:2; in 2 Timothy 2:21 , of "preparation" of oneself for "every good work;" (c) of human "preparations" for human objects, e.g., Luke 12:20 , RV, "thou hast prepared" (AV, "provided"); Acts 23:23; Philemon 1:22 .

"to furnish completely, prepare," is translated "didst Thou prepare" in Hebrews 10:5 (AV, "hast Thou prepared"), of the body of the Lord Jesus. See FIT , B, No. 3.

"to prepare, make ready" (kata, used intensively, skeue, "equipment"), is so translated in Matthew 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:17; 7:27; Hebrews 9:2 , RV (AV, "made"); Hebrews 9:6 , RV (AV, "were ... ordained"); 11:7; 1 Peter 3:20 . See BUILD , No. 5.

"to prepare, make ready" (para, "beside"), is used of making ready a meal, Acts 10:10 : in the Middle Voice, of "preparing" oneself for war, 1 Corinthians 14:8 , RV; in the Passive Voice, of "preparing" an offering for the needy, 2 Corinthians 9:2 , "hath been prepared," RV (AV, "ye was ready"); 2 Corinthians 9:3 , "ye may be prepared," RV (AV, "ye may be ready"). See READY.

"to prepare beforehand" (pro, "before," and No. 1), is used of good works which God "afore prepared," for fulfillment by believers, Ephesians 2:10 , RV (AV, "hath before ordained," marg., "prepared"); of "vessels of mercy," as "afore prepared" by God "unto glory," Romans 9:23 . See ORDAIN.

Notes: (1) Etymologically, the difference between hetoimazo and paraskeuazo, is that the former is connected with what is real (etumos) or ready, the latter with skeuos, an article ready to hand, an implement, vessel. (2) In Mark 14:15 , AV, hetoimos, "ready," is translated "prepared" (RV, "ready"). It is absent in some mss. See READY.