Mark 16:4
New International Version
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

New Living Translation
But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

English Standard Version
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large.

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

Berean Literal Bible
And having looked up, they see that the stone has been rolled away; for it was extremely large.

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

New King James Version
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.

New American Standard Bible
And looking up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large.

NASB 1995
Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.

NASB 1977
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large.

Legacy Standard Bible
And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was very large.

Amplified Bible
Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, though it was extremely large.

Christian Standard Bible
Looking up, they noticed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Looking up, they observed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away.

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

Contemporary English Version
But when they looked, they saw that the stone had already been rolled away. And it was a huge stone!

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. It was a very large stone.

International Standard Version
Then they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled away. (It was a very large stone.)

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

NET Bible
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled back.

New Heart English Bible
for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.

Webster's Bible Translation
(And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away) for it was very great.

Weymouth New Testament
But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back: for it was of immense size.

World English Bible
for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And having looked, they see that the stone has been rolled away—for it was very great,

Berean Literal Bible
And having looked up, they see that the stone has been rolled away; for it was extremely large.

Young's Literal Translation
And having looked, they see that the stone hath been rolled away -- for it was very great,

Smith's Literal Translation
And having looked up, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And looking, they saw the stone rolled back. For it was very great.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And looking, they saw that the stone was rolled back. For certainly it was very large.

New American Bible
When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large.

New Revised Standard Version
When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they looked and saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was very large.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And looking they saw that the stone had been rolled away, for it was very great.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for it was very great. And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away.

Godbey New Testament
And looking up, they see that the stone has already been rolled away: for it was exceedingly great.

Haweis New Testament
And looking again, they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was vastly large.

Mace New Testament
(for it was very great.) but when they were near in view, they perceiv'd that the stone was roll'd away.

Weymouth New Testament
But then, looking up, they saw that the stone was already rolled back: for it was of immense size.

Worrell New Testament
And, looking up, they see that the stone has been rolled back; for it was exceedingly great.

Worsley New Testament
(but when they looked up, they saw that the stone was rolled away,) for it was a very great one.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Resurrection
3They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, even though it was extremely large. 5When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.…

Cross References
Matthew 28:2-4
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. / His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. / The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

Luke 24:2-3
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, / but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

John 20:1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

Matthew 27:60
and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

John 19:41-42
Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. / And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.

Matthew 28:5-6
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. / He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.

Luke 24:4-5
While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. / As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

John 20:11-12
But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, / and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.

Acts 2:24
But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip.

Romans 6:4
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

1 Corinthians 15:4
that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Psalm 16:10
For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Daniel 6:17
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.


Treasury of Scripture

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

they saw.

Matthew 28:2-4
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…

Luke 24:2
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

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.

Jump to Previous
Already Although Big Exceeding Extremely Great Immense Large Rolled Size Stone
Jump to Next
Already Although Big Exceeding Extremely Great Immense Large Rolled Size Stone
Mark 16
1. An Angel declares the resurrection of Jesus to three women.
9. Jesus himself appears to Mary Magdalene;
12. to two going into the country;
14. then to the apostles;
15. whom he sends forth to preach the gospel;
19. and ascends into heaven.














But when they looked up
This phrase marks a pivotal moment of realization and discovery. The Greek word for "looked up" is "anablepo," which implies not just a physical act of looking, but a lifting of the eyes with expectation or hope. In the context of the resurrection narrative, this signifies a transition from despair to the dawning of new understanding. The women who came to the tomb were initially burdened with grief, but their act of looking up symbolizes a shift from earthly sorrow to heavenly revelation.

they saw
The Greek word "theoreo" is used here, which means to behold or to perceive with understanding. This is more than a casual glance; it is an observation that leads to insight. In the context of the resurrection, this seeing is a moment of divine revelation. The women are witnesses to the miraculous, and their testimony becomes foundational to the Christian faith. This act of seeing is a call to all believers to open their eyes to the works of God in their lives.

that the stone had been rolled away
The stone, in Greek "lithos," was a significant barrier, both physically and symbolically. It represented the finality of death and the impossibility of human effort to overcome it. The fact that it "had been rolled away" (Greek "apokulio") indicates divine intervention. This action is a powerful testament to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of resurrection. The removal of the stone signifies the removal of the barrier between humanity and God, made possible through Christ's victory over death.

even though it was extremely large
The description of the stone as "extremely large" emphasizes the miraculous nature of its removal. The Greek word "megas" is used, which denotes something great in size or importance. This detail underscores the power of God, who can overcome any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it may seem. Historically, such stones were used to seal tombs securely, making the resurrection event even more extraordinary. This serves as a reminder to believers that no problem is too great for God to handle, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

(4) For it was very great.--The words have been explained as giving the reason for their previous question, but it seems more natural to see in them St. Mark's explanation of his having used the word "rolled away" instead of saying, simply, "taken away" or "removed."

Verse 4. - And looking up (ἀναβλέψασαι) they see (θεωροῦσιν) that the stone is rolled back (ἀποκεκύλισται): for it was exceeding great (μέγας σφόδρα). At this point we learn from St. John that Mary Magdalene ran away to tell Peter and John (John 20:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

when they looked up,
ἀναβλέψασαι (anablepsasai)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Plural
Strong's 308: To look up, recover my sight. From ana and blepo; to look up; by implication, to recover sight.

they saw
θεωροῦσιν (theōrousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2334: From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

stone
λίθος (lithos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.

had been rolled away,
ἀποκεκύλισται (apokekylistai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 617: To roll away. From apo and kulioo; to roll away.

even though
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

extremely
σφόδρα (sphodra)
Adverb
Strong's 4970: Exceedingly, greatly, very much. Neuter plural of sphodros as adverb; vehemently, i.e. In a high degree, much.

large.
μέγας (megas)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.


Links
Mark 16:4 NIV
Mark 16:4 NLT
Mark 16:4 ESV
Mark 16:4 NASB
Mark 16:4 KJV

Mark 16:4 BibleApps.com
Mark 16:4 Biblia Paralela
Mark 16:4 Chinese Bible
Mark 16:4 French Bible
Mark 16:4 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 16:4 For it was very big (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 16:3
Top of Page
Top of Page