Why did they open Jesus's tomb in the Bible?

The question of why Jesus’s tomb was opened in the Bible is not only a matter of historical curiosity, but also a profound theological event that shaped the course of Christian belief. This blog post explores the reasons, circumstances, and significance behind the opening of Jesus’s tomb, drawing from biblical accounts and their cultural context.

The Burial of Jesus: Setting the Scene

After Jesus’s crucifixion, his body was taken down from the cross by Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Jewish council and a secret disciple of Jesus. According to the Gospels, Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, wrapped Jesus’s body in linen cloths with spices and placed it in a new tomb carved out of rock (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). The tomb was then sealed with a large stone rolled across its entrance.

The burial took place hastily before the Sabbath, the day of rest in Jewish tradition, during which no work—including burial—could be performed. The quick burial meant that the customary anointing and preparation of the body were not completed to the usual standards, leaving some tasks unfinished.

The Role of the Women: The First to the Tomb

The opening of Jesus’s tomb is closely tied to the actions of a group of women who followed Jesus during his ministry. Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (among others, depending on the Gospel) went to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’s body (Mark 16:1-2; Luke 24:1). Their motivation was straightforward: they wished to honor Jesus by completing the burial rites that had been rushed.

Their concern, as they approached the tomb, was practical—how would they move the heavy stone blocking the entrance? The Gospel of Mark records their conversation: “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3, NIV).

The Angelic Encounter: The Stone Rolled Away

Upon arrival, the women found the stone already rolled away. The Gospels attribute this act to divine intervention. In Matthew’s account, an angel descends, causing an earthquake and rolling the stone away, then sitting on it (Matthew 28:2-4). The guards posted at the tomb are described as being so afraid that they “became like dead men.”

The opening of the tomb, then, was not the work of the disciples or the women, but an act orchestrated by God. The angel’s presence and the removal of the stone served as a supernatural sign that something miraculous had occurred.

Why Was the Tomb Opened?

It is important to note that the stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out. According to Christian belief, Jesus had already risen, passing through the grave clothes and the sealed tomb. The opening of the tomb was for the benefit of the witnesses, allowing them to see that Jesus was no longer there. The empty tomb becomes the first evidence of the resurrection.

The angel tells the women, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6, NIV). The invitation to “come and see” makes it clear that the tomb is opened so that the followers of Jesus—and, through their testimony, others—could witness the reality of his resurrection.

Theological Significance of the Open Tomb

The open tomb is more than a narrative device; it is a symbol of hope and new life. For early Christians and believers today, the empty tomb signifies that death has been conquered and that Jesus’s promises are trustworthy. The open tomb invites faith—a belief that God’s power transcends even the finality of death.

Furthermore, the open tomb underlines the public nature of the resurrection event. The disciples, the women, and even the guards are all drawn to the site, each responding in different ways. The stone’s removal, witnessed by so many, serves to authenticate the claim that Jesus’s body was no longer there and that something extraordinary had taken place.