In Jesus' time the law required that graveyards
be a mile away from a town. This grave, like most
graves of rich people, was carved out of the rock
and a large slab of stone placed in front of the
entrance.

When they all reached the tomb, Jesus said, "Take
ye away the stone." This is the time Martha was
unsure of opening it because Lazarus had been
dead for four days and there would be an awful
odor.