Contradictions and Paradoxes in Mark 16:4

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Mark 16:4 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Mark 16:4. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to Mark, the big stone in front of Jesus' tomb was rolled away, even though it was super heavy. This surprise showed that something amazing happened, and Jesus wasn't there anymore.

Mark 16:4: And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.

Contradiction with Mark 16:1-2

These verses describe the women arriving at the tomb early in the morning, suggesting no prior knowledge of the stone's removal, differing from Mark 16:4's depiction of their realization.

Mark 16:1-2: And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the [mother] of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.

Contradiction with Matthew 28:2-4

These verses describe an angel rolling the stone away, implying the women would have witnessed the removal, in contrast to Mark 16:4's account of the stone already being rolled away.

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. [was: or, had been]

Contradiction with John 20:1

This verse mentions Mary Magdalene finding the stone removed by herself, suggesting she was alone, unlike Mark 16:4 where multiple women are present.

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.

Contradiction with Luke 24:2

States the stone was already rolled away before the women arrived, which can be seen as both similar and contradictory depending on narrative harmony with Mark 16:4's context of discovery.

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