A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 16

When the sabbath was past (διαγενομενου του σαββατου). Genitive absolute, the sabbath having come in between, and now over. For this sense of the verb (common from Demosthenes on) see Ac 25:13; 27:9. It was therefore after sunset.

Bought spices (ηγορασαν αρωματα). As Nicodemus did on the day of the burial (John 19:40). Gould denies that the Jews were familiar with the embalming process of Egypt, but at any rate it was to be a reverential anointing (ινα αλειψωσιν) of the body of Jesus with spices. They could buy them after sundown. Salome in the group again as in Mr 15:40. See on Mt 28:1 for discussion of "late on the sabbath day" and the visit of the women to the tomb before sundown. They had returned from the tomb after the watching late Friday afternoon and had prepared spices (Luke 23:56). Now they secured a fresh supply.

When the sun was risen (ανατειλαντος του ηλιου). Genitive absolute, aorist participle, though some manuscripts read ανατελλοντος, present participle. Luke 24:1 has it "at early dawn" (ορθρου βαθεος) and Joh 20:1 "while it was yet dark." It was some two miles from Bethany to the tomb. Mark himself gives both notes of time, "very early" (λιαν πρω), "when the sun was risen." Probably they started while it was still dark and the sun was coming up when they arrived at the tomb. All three mention that it was on the first day of the week, our Sunday morning when the women arrive. The body of Jesus was buried late on Friday before the sabbath (our Saturday) which began at sunset. This is made clear as a bell by Lu 23:54 "and the sabbath drew on." The women rested on the sabbath (Luke 23:56). This visit of the women was in the early morning of our Sunday, the first day of the week. Some people are greatly disturbed over the fact that Jesus did not remain in the grave full seventy-two hours. But he repeatedly said that he would rise on the third day and that is precisely what happened. He was buried on Friday afternoon. He was risen on Sunday morning. If he had really remained in the tomb full three days and then had risen after that, it would have been on the fourth day, not on the third day. The occasional phrase "after three days" is merely a vernacular idiom common in all languages and not meant to be exact and precise like "on the third day." We can readily understand "after three days" in the sense of "on the third day." It is impossible to understand "on the third day" to be "on the fourth day." See my Harmony of the Gospels, pp. 289-91.

Who shall roll us away the stone? (Τις αποκυλισε ημιν τον λιθον; ). Alone in Mark. The opposite of προσκυλιω in 15:46. In verse 4 rolled back (ανεκεκυλιστα, perfect passive indicative) occurs also. Both verbs occur in Koine writers and in the papyri. Clearly the women have no hope of the resurrection of Jesus for they were raising the problem (ελεγον, imperfect) as they walked along.

Looking up they see (αναβλεψασα θεωρουσιν). With downcast eyes and heavy hearts (Bruce) they had been walking up the hill. Mark has his frequent vivid dramatic present "behold." Their problem is solved for the stone lies rolled back before their very eyes. Luke 24:2 has the usual aorist "found."

For (γαρ). Mark explains by the size of the stone this sudden and surprising sight right before their eyes.

Entering into the tomb (εισελθουσα εις το μνημειον). Told also by Lu 24:3, though not by Matthew.

A young man (νεανισκον). An angel in Mt 28:5, two men in Lu 24. These and like variations in details show the independence of the narrative and strengthen the evidence for the general fact of the resurrection. The angel sat upon the stone (Matthew 28:2), probably at first. Mark here speaks of the young man

sitting on the right side (καθημενον εν τοις δεξιοις) inside the tomb. Luke has the two men standing by them on the inside (Luke 24:4). Possibly different aspects and stages of the incident.

Arrayed in a white robe (περιβεβλημενον στολην λευκην). Perfect passive participle with the accusative case of the thing retained (verb of clothing). Luke 24:4 has "in dazzling apparel."

They were amazed (εξεθαμβηθησαν). They were utterly (εξ in composition) amazed. Luke 24:5 has it "affrighted."Matthew 28:3f. tells more of the raiment white as snow which made the watchers quake and become as dead men. But this was before the arrival of the women. Mark, like Matthew and Luke, does not mention the sudden departure of Mary Magdalene to tell Peter and John of the grave robbery as she supposed (John 20:1–10).