Mark 16:3

KJV

And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they said {G3004} among {G4314} themselves {G1438}, Who {G5101} shall roll {G617} us {G2254} away {G617} the stone {G3037} from {G1537} the door {G2374} of the sepulchre {G3419}?

Complete Jewish Bible

They were asking each other, "Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?"

Berean Standard Bible

They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?”

American Standard Version

And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 16:3 captures the poignant human concern of the devoted women approaching Jesus' tomb on resurrection morning. Their anxious question, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" highlights a formidable, seemingly insurmountable physical obstacle, setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention that would soon reveal the glorious truth of the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ. This verse perfectly encapsulates the tension between human limitation and God's boundless power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 16:3 immediately follows the description of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchasing spices and setting out for the tomb at dawn on the first day of the week, intending to anoint Jesus' body. The preceding chapter, [Mark 15](/mark/15 "Mark 15 - The Crucifixion and Burial of Jesus"), details Jesus' crucifixion, death, and hurried burial by Joseph of Arimathea before the Sabbath began. [Mark 15:46](/mark/15-46 "Mark 15:46 - Jesus' Burial") specifically mentions Joseph rolling a stone against the entrance of the tomb. The women's conversation in [Mark 16:3](/mark/16-3 "Mark 16:3 - The Women's Concern About the Stone") thus serves as a narrative bridge, building anticipation and emphasizing the practical challenge they faced, which unbeknownst to them, had already been divinely resolved. It heightens the dramatic impact of the subsequent discovery of the empty tomb in [Mark 16:4-6](/mark/16-4-6 "Mark 16:4-6 - The Empty Tomb and Angelic Proclamation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish burial practices involved washing and anointing the body with spices, often followed by wrapping it in linen cloths. Due to the impending Sabbath, Jesus' burial was rushed, allowing only for a preliminary anointing. The women's journey on Sunday morning was to complete these sacred rites. Tombs in ancient Israel were commonly rock-cut caves or chambers, often sealed with a large, heavy stone. These stones could be either a flat slab or, more commonly for significant tombs, a circular "disk" stone, grooved to roll into place, making it extremely difficult for a few individuals to move without mechanical aid or significant manpower. The tomb of Jesus, specifically, was also guarded by Roman soldiers and sealed by Pilate's order, as recorded in [Matthew 27:62-66](/matthew/27-62-66 "Matthew 27:62-66 - The Guard at the Tomb"), further emphasizing the human impossibility of the women's task and highlighting the divine power required for the stone's removal.

* **Key Themes:** The women's question in [Mark 16:3](/mark/16-3 "Mark 16:3 - The Women's Concern About the Stone") powerfully contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Human Limitation versus Divine Power**. The "stone" represents an insurmountable obstacle for human effort, setting the stage for God's miraculous intervention, where the stone is found rolled away not by human strength but by divine agency, as revealed in [Mark 16:4](/mark/16-4 "Mark 16:4 - The Stone Rolled Away"). Secondly, it highlights the **Devotion and Faithfulness** of the women. Despite their practical anxieties and the formidable barrier, they pressed on, demonstrating their profound love and commitment to Jesus even in death, reflecting a steadfastness that contrasts with the disciples' earlier flight in [Mark 14:50](/mark/14-50 "Mark 14:50 - Disciples Flee"). Lastly, the verse builds **Anticipation of the Resurrection**. Their mundane concern about a physical barrier serves as a narrative device to heighten the surprise and wonder of the resurrection event itself, transforming their expectation of a dead body into the glorious reality of the empty tomb and the angel's proclamation in [Mark 16:6](/mark/16-6 "Mark 16:6 - He is Risen!").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _légō'_):** This verb, G3004, means "to lay forth," or "to relate in words," often implying a systematic or set discourse. Here, it indicates a deliberate conversation or discussion among the women, not merely a casual utterance. Their "saying among themselves" suggests a shared concern and an attempt to collectively address the formidable problem of the stone, indicating their practical, yet limited, human perspective on the situation.
* **roll away (Greek, _apokylíō'_):** Derived from G617, this compound verb means "to roll away" or "to roll back." The prefix "apo-" (away from) intensifies the action of rolling, emphasizing the complete removal of the stone from the entrance. The women's use of this term highlights the physical effort and the significant obstacle the stone presented, underscoring their inability to perform this action themselves and their need for external assistance.
* **sepulchre (Greek, _mnēmeîon'_):** This noun, G3419, refers to a "remembrance," specifically a "cenotaph" or "place of interment," commonly a grave or tomb. In this context, it denotes the rock-cut burial chamber where Jesus' body had been laid. The women's journey to the "sepulchre" signifies their intention to minister to a dead body, emphasizing their lack of expectation regarding the resurrection and the profound surprise awaiting them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they said among themselves,"**: This opening phrase immediately establishes the setting as a private conversation among the women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome) as they journey to the tomb. It highlights their shared concern and the collective nature of their dilemma, indicating a practical, human-level assessment of the challenge ahead.
* **"Who shall roll us away the stone"**: This is the core of their anxious question, revealing their primary concern. The use of "who" signifies their recognition of their own inability to move the massive stone. It implies a desperate search for a solution or assistance, underscoring their human helplessness in the face of an insurmountable physical barrier.
* **"from the door of the sepulchre?"**: This specifies the exact location and purpose of the stone, indicating it was sealing the entrance to the tomb. The phrase emphasizes the finality of the burial and the physical impediment preventing them from completing their sacred task of anointing Jesus' body. It sets the stage for the dramatic revelation that this very obstacle has already been supernaturally removed.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 16:3 employs several powerful literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the women's concern about the stone subtly prepares the reader for its miraculous removal, hinting at the divine intervention to come. The question itself creates **Suspense**, building anticipation for the moment they reach the tomb and discover the stone's fate. There is also a profound **Irony** in their question: they are worried about moving a stone to minister to a dead body, unaware that the stone has already been moved, not for their convenience, but because the occupant of the tomb is no longer dead. Furthermore, the "stone" functions as **Symbolism**, representing the ultimate barrier of death and the human inability to overcome it. Their helplessness in the face of this physical impediment mirrors humanity's spiritual helplessness before the power of death, which only God's power can conquer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The women's question in Mark 16:3 serves as a profound theological statement about the limits of human power and the triumph of divine sovereignty. Their practical concern about the stone, seemingly insurmountable, highlights the very nature of faith: pressing forward in obedience even when the path ahead seems blocked by an impossible obstacle. This moment perfectly illustrates that God often works precisely where human effort ceases, demonstrating His power in ways that defy human expectation. The stone, a symbol of finality and death's dominion, is removed not by the women's strength or ingenuity, but by God's glorious power, revealing that what is impossible for humans is possible for God. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's ability to overcome life's "stones," reminding us that our limitations are merely opportunities for His boundless power to be displayed.

* [Psalm 18:29](/psalms/18-29 "Psalm 18:29 - God Enables Us to Overcome Obstacles")
* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Luke 1:37 - Nothing is Impossible with God")
* [Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "Ephesians 3:20 - God's Power to Do Immeasurably More")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 16:3 presents a timeless spiritual lesson for every believer. Like the women on that first Easter morning, we often encounter "stones" in our lives—formidable obstacles, seemingly impossible challenges, or deeply entrenched problems that block our path, hinder our progress, or prevent us from fulfilling a divine calling. These "stones" can manifest as personal struggles, relational brokenness, financial crises, spiritual dryness, or even global injustices. Our natural human response, much like the women's, is to ask, "Who will roll away this stone?" We feel our inadequacy, our lack of strength, or our inability to find a solution. This verse reminds us that our role is not to move the stone, but to move *towards* the stone in faith and devotion, trusting that God, in His sovereign power and perfect timing, will make a way where there seems to be no way. Our faith is not in our capacity to overcome the obstacle, but in God's infinite power to do the impossible, often surprising us with His glorious solutions. This narrative calls us to a deeper reliance on God, encouraging us to bring our "impossible" questions to Him, knowing that He specializes in moving mountains—or, in this case, tomb stones.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "stones" are you currently facing in your life that seem too large for you to move?**
* **How does the women's devotion, despite their practical concern, inspire your own walk of faith when facing obstacles?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength rather than trusting in God's power to "roll away the stone"?**
* **How can the ultimate removal of the stone from Jesus' tomb strengthen your faith in God's ability to overcome any barrier, including death itself?**

### FAQ

**Why were the women so concerned about the stone, and why couldn't they move it themselves?**

Answer: The women were concerned because the stone sealing the tomb was typically very large and heavy, designed to prevent access and protect the burial site. As described in [Matthew 27:60](/matthew/27-60 "Matthew 27:60 - Joseph's Tomb and the Stone"), Joseph of Arimathea rolled a "great stone" against the door of the sepulchre. These were often circular stones, weighing several tons, requiring multiple strong men or specialized tools to move. The women, likely only two or three in number (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, per [Mark 16:1](/mark/16-1 "Mark 16:1 - The Women Go to the Tomb")), would have been physically incapable of rolling it away, hence their anxious question. Their concern highlights the human impossibility of their task, setting the stage for the miraculous divine intervention.

**Did the women know about the Roman guard placed at the tomb?**

Answer: Mark's Gospel does not explicitly state that the women knew about the Roman guard, which is mentioned in [Matthew 27:62-66](/matthew/27-62-66 "Matthew 27:62-66 - The Guard at the Tomb"). Matthew records that the chief priests and Pharisees requested the guard to prevent the disciples from stealing Jesus' body. It's plausible they did not know, as their conversation focuses solely on the stone. If they had known, their concern might have been even greater, encompassing not just the stone but also the armed soldiers. Their singular focus on the stone underscores the immediate physical barrier they perceived, making the subsequent discovery of the empty tomb and the angel's message even more surprising and impactful.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The women's anxious question in [Mark 16:3](/mark/16-3 "Mark 16:3 - The Women's Concern About the Stone") finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very event that immediately follows: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The "stone" they worried about was not merely a physical impediment; it symbolized the ultimate barrier of death, the finality of the grave, and the power of sin that held humanity captive. Only Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, could "roll away" this ultimate stone. His victory over death, as proclaimed in [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death"), means that the power of the grave has been broken. The women's human helplessness in the face of the stone foreshadows humanity's spiritual helplessness before sin and death, a problem that no human effort or ritual could ever solve. Christ's resurrection is the definitive answer to their question, demonstrating that He alone possesses the power to conquer death and open the way to eternal life, fulfilling the prophecies of His triumph over the grave found throughout Scripture, such as in [Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus From the Dead"). He is the one who has rolled away the stone of sin and death, inviting all who believe to walk in newness of life, as highlighted in [Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ").

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 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.