Mark 16:2 - Exposition

And very early on the first day of the week ( λιάν πρωΐ́ τῇ μιᾶ τῶν σαββάτων ), they come

among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? The usual form of tombs in Palestine was the following:—There was generally an approach to the tomb open to the sky; then a low entrance on the side of the rock, leading into a square chamber, on one side of which was a recess for the body, about three feet deep, with a low arch over it. The stone here referred to by the women would be the stone which covered the actual entrance into the vault. It would probably be not less than six feet in breadth and three in height. This great stone had been rolled By Joseph to the mouth of the tomb; and then he had departed. Now, as the women approached, "they were saying ( ἔλεγον ,) among themselves, Who shall roll us away ( ἀποκυλίσει ) the stone?" They had seen the arrangements, and had observed the size of the atone on the Friday evening. ( Mark 15:47 ).