And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The women were focused on the physical obstacle of the stone, completely unaware that Roman soldiers and a seal were already guarding it. Their question reveals how little they understood about the forces already at work to bring about the resurrection.
And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome approach Jesus' tomb early on Sunday morning, their main concern is practical: how will they move the massive stone blocking the entrance? They are unaware that the Jewish authorities had not only sealed the tomb but also stationed guards, a detail lost on the grieving women as they contemplate their immediate obstacle.
The women arrive at the tomb, ready to mourn and anoint Jesus. But their minds are immediately fixated on a physical obstacle: the stone.
Focused on the Obstacle
These devoted women had come with spices, their hearts heavy with grief. Their minds were filled with sorrow and the desire to care for Jesus' body. Yet, the first thought that surfaces isn't about His absence, but about a massive stone blocking the tomb's entrance.
Ignorance of Divine Action
What's crucial here is their lack of awareness. They didn't know about Pilate's orders to seal the tomb and set a guard, as Matthew tells us. Their worry about rolling the stone reflects a natural human tendency to focus on the immediate, visible problem, unaware that God might have already intervened or is about to.
They were agonizing over who would move the stone, but when they looked up, their problem had already been solved in a way they never expected.
A Problem Already Solved
The dramatic irony here is beautiful. As they are voicing their anxiety about the stone, the very thing they are worried about has already been dealt with. The stone, which they perceived as an insurmountable barrier, was not only moved but moved away from the entrance.
Beyond Human Effort
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This wasn't a job for a committee of women, or even for Roman soldiers. The stone was "exceeding great" – too big for them to handle. Its removal points to a power far beyond human strength. It’s a divine signature, an announcement that something extraordinary has happened. God’s work often goes ahead of our understanding and our efforts.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus
Jesus is crucified by Roman authorities and His body is placed in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Tomb Sealed and Guard Posted
Following a request from Jewish leaders, Roman authorities seal the tomb with a large stone and post a guard to prevent the body from being removed.
Early Sunday Morning
Women Visit the Tomb
Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrive at the tomb early on the first day of the week with spices to anoint Jesus' body.
Early Sunday Morning
Stone Rolled Away, Tomb Empty
Upon arrival, the women find the large stone has been rolled away, and the tomb is empty, indicating Jesus' resurrection.
This passage details the Jewish leaders' fear of the resurrection and their securing of the tomb with a stone and a guard, highlighting the very obstacle the women were worried about in Mark 16:3.
John 20:1This verse describes Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb while it was still dark, emphasizing the early hour and the anticipation of the women before they discovered the stone was already moved.
Luke 24:2This passage directly parallels the women's concern, stating that they found the stone rolled away when they arrived, underscoring their initial apprehension about who would move it.
Genesis 18:14The question 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?' spoken by God to Abraham echoes the women's uncertainty, reminding us that the obstacle they perceived was easily overcome by divine power.
Joshua 3:15-16The Jordan River, a significant obstacle, was stopped by the waters being held back when the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped in, showing how God intervenes to remove barriers when His people advance in faith.
cambridgeMark 16:3: "And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?"
3 . And they said among themselves ] Unaware of the deputation of the Jewish rulers, which had gone to Pilate, and secured the sealing of the Stone and the setting of the watch over the Tomb ( Matthew 27:62-66 ), their only anxiety was, Who shall roll away the stone from the door of the sepulcher?
wesleyMark 16:3: "And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?"
16:3 Who shall roll us away the stone - This seems to have been the only difficulty they apprehended. So they knew nothing of Pilate's having sealed the stone, and placed a guard of soldiers there.
The women were focused on the physical obstacle of the stone, completely unaware that Roman soldiers and a seal were already guarding it. Their question reveals how little they understood about the forces already at work to bring about the resurrection.
As Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome approach Jesus' tomb early on Sunday morning, their main concern is practical: how will they move the massive stone blocking the entrance? They are unaware that the Jewish authorities had not only sealed the tomb but also stationed guards, a detail lost on the grieving women as they contemplate their immediate obstacle.
As Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome approach Jesus' tomb early on Sunday morning, their main concern is practical: how will they move the massive stone blocking the entrance? They are unaware that the Jewish authorities had not only sealed the tomb but also stationed guards, a detail lost on the grieving women as they contemplate their immediate obstacle.
"And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large." — The women were focused on the physical obstacle of the stone, completely unaware that Roman soldiers and a seal were already guarding it. Their question reveals how little they understood about the f…
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Last reviewed October 2026