Mark 16:3 - They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

Generated Verse: Mark 16:3

What does "Mark 16:3" mean?


This verse from Mark 16:3 reveals a key aspect of the women's mindset as they approached Jesus's tomb: practical concern and lack of expectation of a resurrection.

Here's a breakdown:

"They": Refers to the women who were followers of Jesus. Specifically, Mark 16:1 mentions Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.
"Were saying among themselves": This highlights that their conversation was private and reflects their inner thoughts and worries.
"Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?": This is the core of the verse. It reveals their primary concern. They knew the tomb was sealed with a very large and heavy stone. They hadn't considered who would be strong enough to move it, and now as they approach, the daunting task is foremost in their minds.

Meaning and Significance:

Practical Obstacle: The women are focused on the practical difficulty of reaching the body. They are concerned with the logistics of their task, which was to anoint Jesus's body with spices.
Lack of Expectation: This verse implicitly highlights that they were not expecting Jesus to have risen from the dead. If they had anticipated a resurrection, the stone wouldn't be their biggest concern. They would have considered the possibility of it already being open.
Human Perspective: The verse emphasizes the human perspective of these women. They were grieving, practical, and unaware of the supernatural event that was about to unfold. They were not looking for a miracle; they were simply trying to honor Jesus's memory.
Dramatic Irony: The reader (or listener) already knows that Jesus has risen and that the stone has already been rolled away. This creates a sense of dramatic irony, making the women's worry seem almost naive in light of what has happened. It underscores the unexpected nature of the resurrection.

In essence, this verse paints a picture of faithful women, deeply saddened by Jesus's death, who are going to perform a final act of love and respect. They are not anticipating anything miraculous, but simply trying to overcome a very practical obstacle. Their concern sets the stage for the astonishing revelation that awaits them.