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Mark 16:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 16:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?
Mark 16:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2And very early on the first day of the week, they come to the tomb when the sun was risen.
3And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?
4and looking up, they see that the stone is rolled back: for it was exceeding great.
5And entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in a white robe; and they were amazed.
6And he saith unto them, Be not amazed: ye seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who hath been crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place where they laid him!
← Mark 16:2Mark 16:4 →
← Full Chapter 16 Mark Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they said among themselves, etc..] Either before they set out, or as they were going along: who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? Which they saw was placed there by Joseph, or his orders: this was the only difficulty they had, that they were aware of; for they seem to know nothing of the sealing of the stone, and of the watch that was set to guard the sepulchre: things which were done on the sabbath day, on which they rested: for had they, in all likelihood they would never have attempted to have gone to it; the guard of soldiers would have been a sufficient discouragement: but all their concern was, how, and by whom, the stone should be rolled away, that lay…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“they said among themselves--as they were approaching the sacred spot. Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? . . . for it was very great--On reaching it they find their difficulty gone--the stone already rolled away by an unseen hand. And are there no others who, when advancing to duty in the face of appalling difficulties, find their stone also rolled away?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 28:1-8. Mark 16:1 Sweet spices - “Aromatics.” Substances used in embalming. The idea of sweetness is not, however, implied in the original. Many of the substances used for embalming were “bitter” - as, for example, myrrh - and none of them, perhaps, could properly be called “sweet.” The word “spices” expresses all that there is in the original. Anoint him - Embalm him, or apply these spices to his body to keep it from putrefaction. This is proof that they did not suppose he would rise again; and the fact that they did not “expect” he would rise, gives more strength to the evidence for his resurrection. Mark 16:4 It was very great - These…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who shall roll us away the stone - This seems to have been the only difficulty they apprehended. So they knew nothing of Pilate's having sealed the stone, and placed a guard of soldiers there. Mark 16:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:3-4 The women wondered how the large stone sealing the tomb could be removed. God had already rolled the stone away to let the women and disciples in.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Who: Mar 15:46, Mar 15:47; Mat 27:60-66 Mark 16:4”
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Related study paths

Read Mark 16 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification