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

MARK 16:4KJV
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Mark 16:4 (KJV)

What does Mark 16:4 mean?

Mark 16:4 describes how the women who came to Jesus’ tomb on the first Easter morning saw that the large stone covering the entrance had already been rolled away. The verse highlights their surprise, since the stone was very large and would have been difficult to move.

In this scene, a group of women followers of Jesus are approaching his tomb to anoint his body. The verse draws attention to the practical problem they expected—moving a massive stone—and their discovery that it had already been taken care of. This sets the stage for the events that follow, where they find the tomb empty.

The Greek behind Mark 16:4

  • The word for "looked" is ἀναβλέψασαι (anablepsasai, tagged as G308), which often means to look up or to look intently. This suggests the women were actively checking the situation, not just glancing.
  • The word for "very" is σφόδρα (sphodra, tagged as G4970), which means exceedingly or extremely. The Greek here emphasizes just how large the stone was, underlining the unexpected nature of what they found.
  • The word for "great" is μέγας (megas, tagged as G3173), meaning large or great in size. The combination of these words stresses the size of the obstacle that had been removed.

Why Mark 16:4 matters

  • Mark 16:4 clears up any idea that the stone could have been easily moved by the women themselves; the text stresses its size to show this was not a simple task.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the miracle of the resurrection by showing that something extraordinary had already happened before the women arrived.
  • This detail connects to the wider theme in Mark’s Gospel of God overcoming human limitations and obstacles, setting up the revelation that Jesus is no longer in the tomb.

Where else these words appear

“away” Greek G617 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • Mark 16:3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
  • Luke 24:2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

“very” Greek G4970 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • Matthew 18:31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
  • Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

“looked” Greek G308 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
  • Mark 10:51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
  • Luke 21:1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

“saw” Greek G2334 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
  • John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
  • Acts 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.