Luke 24:2

KJV

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they found {G2147} the stone {G3037} rolled away {G617} from {G575} the sepulchre {G3419}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and found the stone rolled away from the tomb!

Berean Standard Bible

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

American Standard Version

And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 24:2 records the pivotal discovery made by the women who came to Jesus' tomb on the first day of the week: the massive stone sealing the entrance had been miraculously rolled away. This simple observation served as the initial, tangible evidence of the resurrection, setting the stage for the angelic announcement that Jesus was no longer among the dead, but had risen as He foretold.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account in [Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - The Women at the Tomb") where a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, came to the tomb early on Sunday morning, bringing spices to anoint Jesus' body. Their intention was to perform a final act of devotion to a deceased Messiah. The discovery of the rolled-away stone in [Luke 24:2](/luke/24-2 "Luke 24:2 - The Stone Rolled Away") directly precedes their entry into the tomb where they find it empty ([Luke 24:3](/luke/24-3 "Luke 24:3 - The Empty Tomb")), leading to the appearance of two men in dazzling clothes who announce Jesus' resurrection ([Luke 24:4-7](/luke/24-4-7 "Luke 24:4-7 - The Angelic Announcement of Resurrection")). This sequence marks the dramatic shift from the sorrow and finality of the passion narrative to the triumph and new hope of the resurrection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jewish burial practices of the time often involved placing bodies in rock-hewn tombs, which were then sealed with a large, heavy stone, typically round and rolled into a groove to block the entrance. This stone was so substantial that it would require considerable effort, often multiple men, to move. In Jesus' case, the tomb was not only sealed by such a stone by Joseph of Arimathea ([Matthew 27:60](/matthew/27-60 "Matthew 27:60 - Joseph of Arimathea Buries Jesus")), but also secured by Roman guards and an official seal at the request of the Jewish authorities, who feared the disciples might steal the body ([Matthew 27:62-66](/matthew/27-62-66 "Matthew 27:62-66 - The Guard at the Tomb")). The women themselves were concerned about who would roll away the stone for them ([Mark 16:3](/mark/16-3 "Mark 16:3 - The Women's Concern about the Stone")), highlighting the human impossibility of its removal and underscoring the supernatural nature of its actual displacement.
* **Key Themes:** The discovery of the rolled-away stone is foundational to several key themes in the Gospel of Luke and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Resurrection**, as the empty tomb provides the first physical evidence that Jesus has indeed risen from the dead, fulfilling His own prophecies ([Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection")). It powerfully demonstrates **Divine Intervention** and God's absolute power over death, rendering human attempts to secure the tomb utterly futile. The stone's removal also symbolizes the **Overcoming of Obstacles**, not just physical ones, but the spiritual barrier of death itself, which Christ conquered. This event transforms the women's mournful journey into one of **Profound Hope and New Life**, signaling the dawn of the new covenant era and the validation of Jesus' messianic claims.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb signifies a discovery, often unexpected or after a search, rather than an active effort to move something. The women "found" the stone already rolled away, emphasizing that the action was completed by another power before their arrival. This highlights their astonishment and the miraculous nature of the event, as they did not participate in its removal.
* **stone (Greek, _líthos'_):** Refers to a literal stone, specifically the large, heavy rock used to seal the entrance of the tomb. In a broader sense, it symbolizes a formidable barrier, an obstacle, or even the finality of death. Its presence signifies the closure of the tomb and the apparent end of Jesus' earthly life.
* **rolled away (Greek, _apokylíō'_):** This compound verb means "to roll away" or "to roll back." The Greek perfect passive participle (ἀποκεκύλισται, _apokekylistai_) used here indicates a completed action with lasting results, emphasizing that the stone was already in its displaced state when the women arrived. This grammatical nuance underscores that the women did not move the stone; it was moved by a divine agent (as revealed in [Matthew 28:2](/matthew/28-2 "Matthew 28:2 - The Angel Rolls Away the Stone")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they found":** This phrase introduces the subjects, the women mentioned in [Luke 24:1](/luke/24-1 "Luke 24:1 - The Women at the Tomb"), and their primary action: discovery. The use of "found" implies an unexpected sight, contrasting with their expectation of needing to move the stone themselves.
* **"the stone":** Refers to the massive stone that had been placed to seal the entrance of Jesus' sepulchre. This stone represented the finality of death and the human attempt to contain the body of Jesus.
* **"rolled away":** This crucial detail signifies that the barrier was no longer in place. The passive voice (implied by the Greek perfect passive participle) indicates that the action was performed by an external, non-human agent, highlighting the supernatural intervention that had already occurred.
* **"from the sepulchre":** This specifies the location from which the stone was removed, the tomb itself. The absence of the stone from the entrance immediately suggests that the tomb is no longer sealed, preparing the women for the astonishing revelation of its emptiness.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 24:2, though brief, is rich in literary significance. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "the stone" acting as a powerful symbol of the finality of death, the sealing of human hope, and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that stand in the way of God's plan. Its removal symbolizes God's ultimate power to overcome death and human limitations. There is also a profound sense of **Irony** in the scene: the women arrive with spices, expecting to anoint a corpse, only to find the very obstacle they worried about supernaturally removed, setting the stage for the most unexpected and glorious news. This creates **Anticipation** for the subsequent verses, as the reader, like the women, is left to wonder what this unprecedented event means. The verse also serves as a crucial point of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the resurrection before it is explicitly announced, building suspense and emphasizing the divine orchestration of events.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The rolled-away stone in Luke 24:2 is far more than a mere physical detail; it is theologically charged, serving as the initial, undeniable physical evidence of Christ's resurrection, the cornerstone of Christian faith. It unequivocally declares God's triumph over death, sin, and all human attempts to thwart His divine plan. This event validates Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the Messiah, confirming His prophetic words about His rising again. It transforms a scene of mourning and despair into one of profound hope, signaling the inauguration of the new covenant and the ultimate victory over the grave for all who believe. The empty tomb, attested by the displaced stone, is the foundation upon which the entire Gospel message of redemption and eternal life is built.

* [Matthew 28:5-6](/matthew/28-5-6 "Matthew 28:5-6 - The Angel's Message at the Empty Tomb")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection")
* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit of Him Who Raised Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The sight of the stone rolled away from the sepulchre offers profound encouragement and practical application for believers today. Just as the women faced an insurmountable physical barrier that God effortlessly removed, we are reminded that no obstacle in our lives—be it despair, illness, financial hardship, relational brokenness, or even the fear of death itself—is too great for God's power. This verse calls us to shift our focus from our limitations and anxieties to the boundless power of God, who specializes in doing the impossible. It invites us to live with the confident hope that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us, enabling us to overcome challenges and experience new life. We are encouraged to expect the unexpected from God, to look beyond our immediate circumstances, and to trust that His divine intervention can transform our deepest sorrows into profound joy and our greatest fears into unwavering faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you facing in your life right now?**
* **How does the rolled-away stone of Jesus' tomb encourage you to trust in God's power to overcome those obstacles?**
* **In what areas of your life are you expecting to find a "dead body" (a hopeless situation), but God might be preparing to reveal new life or a surprising breakthrough?**

### FAQ
**Who rolled away the stone from Jesus' tomb?**

Answer: While Luke 24:2 simply states that the women "found the stone rolled away," Matthew's Gospel provides the specific detail that "an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door" ([Matthew 28:2](/matthew/28-2 "Matthew 28:2 - The Angel Rolls Away the Stone")). This highlights that the stone's removal was not by human effort, but by divine intervention, underscoring the supernatural nature of the resurrection event.

**Why was the stone rolled away if Jesus had already risen and could pass through walls?**

Answer: The stone was not rolled away to allow Jesus to exit the tomb, as His resurrected body was no longer bound by physical limitations (as seen in His sudden appearances and disappearances, e.g., [Luke 24:31](/luke/24-31 "Luke 24:31 - Jesus Vanishes at Emmaus")). Instead, the stone was rolled away for the benefit of the witnesses. Its removal served as tangible, undeniable proof for the women and later the disciples that the tomb was empty, providing the necessary physical evidence to confirm the angelic message of His resurrection and to initiate the spread of the Gospel. It was an invitation to "come and see" ([Matthew 28:6](/matthew/28-6 "Matthew 28:6 - Come, See the Place Where He Lay")).

**What is the significance of the "sepulchre" in this context?**

Answer: The "sepulchre" (Greek: _mnēmeîon_) refers to the tomb or burial place, specifically a rock-hewn chamber. In this context, the sepulchre represents the place of death, finality, and human despair. The fact that the stone was rolled away *from* the sepulchre signifies that death's power has been broken, and the grave could not hold Jesus. It transforms the sepulchre from a symbol of defeat into a monument to victory, becoming the empty tomb that testifies to the triumph of life over death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rolled-away stone in Luke 24:2 is a profound Christ-centered fulfillment, serving as the initial, irrefutable physical evidence of Jesus' triumph over death, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies and His own predictions. The stone, a symbol of death's finality and humanity's inability to escape its grasp, was supernaturally displaced, signaling that the "last enemy" ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - Death, the Last Enemy")) had been conquered by the King of Glory. This event authenticates Jesus as the promised Messiah, whose death was a sacrificial atonement for sin and whose resurrection is the guarantee of new life for all who believe in Him. The empty tomb, marked by the absence of the stone, declares that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a martyr, but the living Lord who holds "the keys of death and Hades" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")). His resurrection, initiated by the rolled-away stone, is the foundation of the Christian faith, demonstrating that He is indeed "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), offering eternal hope and victory over the grave to all who trust in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 15:46

And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

Mark 15:47

And Mary Magdalene and Mary [the mother] of Joses beheld where he was laid.

Matthew 28:2

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Matthew 27:60

And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

Matthew 27:66

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

John 20:1

¶ The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

John 20:2

Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.