Mark 16:4

And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

And {G2532} when they looked {G308}, they saw {G2334} that {G3754} the stone {G3037} was rolled away {G617}: for {G1063} it was {G2258} very {G4970} great {G3173}.

Then they looked up and saw that the stone, even though it was huge, had been rolled back already.

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large.

and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great.

Commentary

Mark 16:4 KJV describes the pivotal discovery by the women who came to Jesus’ tomb early on Resurrection Sunday. This verse succinctly captures the moment they realized the greatest physical obstacle to anointing His body had been miraculously removed.

Context

Following the crucifixion and hasty burial of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had purchased spices to properly anoint His body (Mark 16:1). As they approached the tomb, their primary concern was, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" (Mark 16:3). This verse answers that unspoken question with stunning simplicity: the stone, described as "very great," was already rolled away. This discovery immediately signals that something extraordinary has occurred, setting the stage for the announcement of Jesus' resurrection by the angel in the tomb (Mark 16:5).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Intervention Overcomes Obstacles: The "very great" stone represented an insurmountable barrier for the women, highlighting human limitations. Its removal signifies God's powerful intervention, demonstrating that no obstacle can prevent His divine plan from unfolding.
  • The Reality of the Resurrection: The rolled-away stone is the first tangible evidence of the empty tomb and, by extension, Jesus' resurrection. It confirms that He was not merely unconscious or stolen, but truly risen.
  • God's Sovereignty and Power: This verse underscores the omnipotence of God. What was impossible for humans was effortlessly accomplished by divine power, confirming that God is sovereign over death itself.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rolled away" is from the Greek verb apokylío (ἀποκυλίω), used here in the perfect passive participle form (apokekylistai), indicating a completed action with lasting results. This emphasizes that the stone was already moved before the women arrived, not while they watched. The description "very great" (Greek: megas sphodra - μέγας σφόδρα) powerfully conveys the immense size and weight of the stone, further underscoring the miraculous nature of its removal and the divine power at work.

Practical Application

Mark 16:4 offers profound encouragement for believers today. Just as the great stone was rolled away, seemingly impossible barriers in our lives can be removed by God's power. This verse reminds us that when we face overwhelming challenges or "great stones" that block our path, we serve a God who is capable of doing the impossible. It calls us to trust in His sovereignty and power, knowing that His plans cannot be thwarted by human limitations or earthly obstacles. The empty tomb, signified by the rolled-away stone, remains the cornerstone of Christian hope, assuring us of victory over death and the promise of new life.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 24:2

    And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

  • 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 28:4

    And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead [men].

  • 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.
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