Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I agree that, after His resurrection, Jesus was no longer bound by constraints of space or time. However, perhaps the angel came down from heaven and rolled the stone away as a testimony to others. If the stone had been left in place, it would not have been immediately visibly apparent to all that Jesus was no longer in the tomb.

Also, the angel remained, in order to explain what had happened to the women who came to the tomb, since the guards were apparently either in a state of unconsciousness, or had left the tomb, either in fear or to report what had happened (Matthew 28:4-11).

January 08 2017 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

A F Supporter

The stone was rolled away for a sign to the living that something was amis. Upon closer scrutiny, the body of Christ was missing. Eventually, He appeared to them in His changed body proving to all the world that He indeed was the Christ. I am ecstatic that He invited me to see Him. Do you know how lucky we are that the Father has given us knowledge to see Him, to be chosen (elect) by Him. I am truly blessed. Because I feel so privileged and unworthy, I pray everyday for ALL people that He will melt their hearts, change their minds, and bend their knees to ask for His forgiveness and grace. Hallelujah what a Savior.

January 08 2017 • 4 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

I don't believe it was "necessary" for the angel(s) to descend and roll the stone away for Jesus to be able to come out of the tomb. Our Father is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can imagine to ask. Eph 3:20
The angel(s) (Mark records "a man" in shiny clothes, Luke says two men) played a significant role by informing His followers of His ressurection and His whereabouts. 
God seems careful to always keep us alert to the standard of truth He abides by, and is determined to teach us to recognize. I believe there were two angels as Luke says because the scripture says that truth can be established by the testimony of at least two witnesses Deut 19:15, 2 Cor 13:1, Rev 11:3.

I believe the angels were there to serve more in the role of messengers than muscle men.

February 10 2017 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mickey Johnston Supporter Retired

The stone was not rolled away for Jesus to depart the tomb, but to show that it was empty, save for the burial cloths, and thus announce His resurrection.

May 19 2017 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Kenneth Heck Supporter

Pilate ordered the great stone set in place as an unusual precaution, along with the watch, to prevent the disciples from stealing Christ's body and pretend that he had risen again, as Christ had prophesied (Matt 27:63-66).

To demonstrate the sovereign authority of God over any authority of the Roman Empire, the order of Pilate was visibly contradicted by the two angels. Otherwise, it would seem that Pilate's authority extended over Christ in the physical realm, which it did not.

Why didn't Christ move the stone himself? Possibly because as a king he only needed to exercise his royal authority to order the stone removed. This is the way kings generally operate. 

Before his crucifixion, he had the Holy Spirit without measure in accomplishing the miracles attributed to him. The Holy Spirit re-entered Christ's body immediately during his resurrection, but the angels may have removed the stone even before the resurrection began.

February 10 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report