ἀποκυλίω
I roll away
Definition
The verb ἀποκυλίω means 'to roll away' or 'to roll back' an object, typically a large stone. In the New Testament, it is used exclusively to describe the removal of the stone from the entrance of Jesus's tomb. In Matthew 28:2, an angel of the Lord actively 'rolled back' the stone, while in Mark 16:3-4 and Luke 24:2, the women discover that the stone 'had been rolled away,' emphasizing a completed action. The word consistently denotes the physical removal of a barrier, a crucial act that reveals the empty tomb.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used four times in the resurrection narratives of the Synoptic Gospels. It appears in the active voice in Matthew 28:2, describing the angel's action. In Mark 16:3-4 and Luke 24:2, it is found in the passive perfect tense, indicating the state of the stone the women found—already removed. The usage is highly specific, always connected to the tomb's stone, marking the pivotal moment of discovery following the resurrection.
Etymology
Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo, meaning 'away from') and the verb κυλίω (kyliō, meaning 'to roll'). It is a compound verb that literally means 'to roll away.' The root κυλίω is related to words for something round or circular, emphasizing the motion involved.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it describes the first physical evidence of the resurrection. The rolling away of the stone was not to let Jesus out, but to let the witnesses in, revealing the empty tomb and God's victory over death. Understanding this specific action enriches the narrative by highlighting God's power to remove the finality of death's seal and invite humanity to witness the resurrection reality.
In the first-century Jewish context, tombs were often sealed with large, disk-shaped stones rolled in a groove to block the entrance. Rolling away such a stone required significant effort, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event described in the Gospels. The stone represented a permanent barrier, making its removal a powerful sign.
κυλίω (kyliō, G2947) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to roll,' without the directional sense of 'away.'
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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