Mark 16:4
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "for it was very great" doesn't just describe the stone's size; it explains why the women were so worried about who would roll it away. Their concern wasn't just about a door being blocked, but about a monumental obstacle that seemed impossible for them to move.
As the women approach the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, they worry amongst themselves about how they will move the massive stone sealing the entrance. But upon looking up, they discover the stone has already been rolled away, a sign of an incredible event. This discovery immediately precedes their encounter with an angel who will announce Jesus' resurrection.
Imagine the scene: the women arrive at the tomb in the dark, filled with grief and a very specific problem. What was it, and how does it reveal their heart?
The women's question, 'Who will roll away the stone for us?' (Mark 16:3) wasn't just a logistical hurdle. It was a physical manifestation of their emotional burden.
A Stone Too Big to Move
This worry highlights how grief and shock can blind us to God's power and promises. They were so focused on the stone, they hadn't truly grasped that Jesus was the one who would overcome death.
They worried about who could move the stone, but when they looked, something far more powerful had already acted. What does this 'rolling away' signify?
The 'rolling away' of the stone wasn't just to let the women in; it was a dramatic, public declaration.
More Than Just Access
c. 30 AD— this verse
Jesus Crucified and Buried
Jesus of Nazareth is crucified by Roman authorities and His body is placed in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple.
c. 30 AD
Roman Guards Stationed at Tomb
At the request of Jewish leaders, Roman soldiers are posted to guard the tomb to prevent the disciples from stealing the body and claiming Jesus had risen.
c. 30 AD
First Day of the Week Dawns
On the third day after the crucifixion, early in the morning, a group of women disciples travel to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus' body.
c. 30 AD
Angelic Announcement
Upon arriving at the tomb, the women find the large stone rolled away and encounter an angel who announces Jesus' resurrection.
This passage directly parallels Mark's account, describing the great earthquake that accompanied the rolling away of the stone, emphasizing the divine power involved.
Luke 24:2Luke's Gospel also notes the women finding the stone rolled away, highlighting their concern about who would move it prior to their discovery, thus underscoring its immense size.
John 20:1John's Gospel mentions Mary Magdalene going to the tomb and seeing the stone already removed, which sets the scene for the discovery of the empty tomb that this verse describes.
Genesis 22:10This Old Testament passage describes Abraham taking a knife to slay his son, and God intervening by sending an angel. This parallels the divine intervention at the tomb, where the angel's action of rolling away the stone demonstrates God's power in a pivotal moment.
gillMark 16:4: "And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great."
And when they looked,.... Towards the sepulchre, as they came near it: they saw that the stone was rolled away; they perceived it lay at some distance from the door of the sepulchre, which doubtless was very grateful, and matter of rejoicing to them: for it was very great; these words are to be read, in connection with the preceding verse; for they are not a reason, why when they looked towards th…
ellicottMark 16:4: "And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great."
(4) For it was very great. —The words have been explained as giving the reason for their previous question, but it seems more natural to see in them St. Mark’s explanation of his having used the word “rolled away” instead of saying, simply, “taken away” or “removed.”
The phrase "for it was very great" doesn't just describe the stone's size; it explains why the women were so worried about who would roll it away. Their concern wasn't just about a door being blocked, but about a monumental obstacle that seemed impossible for them to move.
As the women approach the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, they worry amongst themselves about how they will move the massive stone sealing the entrance. But upon looking up, they discover the stone has already been rolled away, a sign of an incredible event. This discovery immediately precedes their encounter with an angel who will announce Jesus' resurrection.
As the women approach the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus, they worry amongst themselves about how they will move the massive stone sealing the entrance. But upon looking up, they discover the stone has already been rolled away, a sign of an incredible event. This discovery immediately precedes their encounter with an angel who will announce Jesus' resurrection.
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This event isn't just about an empty tomb; it's about God's unstoppable power demonstrating His victory over the grave, making the impossible, possible.
"And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large." — The phrase "for it was very great" doesn't just describe the stone's size; it explains why the women were so worried about who would roll it away. Their concern wasn't just about a door being block…
