Matthew 28:3
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Matthew 28:3
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The angel's "appearance" (not just his face) shone like lightning, a dazzling brilliance that was more than just light, but a divine manifestation itself. His "raiment," the garments he wore, were pure white, signifying his holiness and the victory Christ had just won.
As the Sabbath ends and dawn breaks on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, encountering a violent earthquake and a celestial being. This radiant angel, whose appearance is blindingly bright and whose clothes are pure white, has rolled away the stone and is seated on it. The soldiers guarding the tomb are overcome with terror and fall as if dead, while the angel immediately speaks to the women, intending to announce the most incredible news they will ever hear.
Imagine seeing something so bright, so powerful, it stops you in your tracks. This angel's appearance was more than just striking; it was a revelation.
Matthew describes the angel with a radiance that's hard to fully grasp. 'His appearance was like lightning' wasn't just about brightness, but about overwhelming power and sudden, dazzling light. Think of the most intense flash of lightning you've ever seen, but concentrated and awe-inspiring. This wasn't just a human dressed up; this was a messenger from God, whose very being radiated divine glory.
His 'clothing white as snow' also speaks volumes. White often symbolizes purity, holiness, and victory in Scripture. This wasn't ordinary white; it was the pure, unblemished white of celestial purity, signifying the triumph of God's power over death. The combination of 'lightning' and 'white as snow' creates an image of immense, pure, and holy power.
When the Bible talks about an 'appearance' or 'countenance,' it often means much more than just what we see on the surface. This angel's look was a total package of divine presence.
The Greek word Matthew uses here for 'appearance' (idea) doesn't just mean the face, but the whole outward aspect or general look of the being. It was the angel's entire presence that was radiant and awe-inspiring, not just his facial expression.
This overwhelming 'look' caused immense fear in the guards. They 'trembled and became like dead men.' This reaction shows the sheer power and holiness of the divine messenger. It wasn't a gentle, ordinary sight; it was a terrifyingly glorious manifestation of God's presence that human beings, especially those hardened by their profession like soldiers, could barely withstand.
The dazzling, supernatural appearance of the angel highlights the extraordinary nature of the resurrection, emphasizing that this was not a human event but a divine intervention that shook the foundations of the world and terrified earthly powers.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified on Passover, fulfilling prophecies and marking a pivotal moment in salvation history.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Burial
Jesus' body is placed in a tomb secured by a large stone, guarded by Roman soldiers.
c. 30 AD
Resurrection Morning
Early on the first day of the week, women arrive at the tomb to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
c. 30 AD
Angel Appears at the Tomb
An angel, described as having a brilliant appearance like lightning and snow-white clothing, announces Jesus' resurrection to the women.
c. 30 AD
This passage describes a divine being whose appearance is also compared to lightning, emphasizing the dazzling and powerful nature of heavenly beings when they reveal themselves.
Acts 1:10After Jesus ascends, two men in 'white garments' appear to the disciples, paralleling the angelic description and signifying their heavenly origin and message.
Revelation 3:4This verse promises that overcomers will 'walk with me in white garments,' linking white clothing to purity, victory, and a status in God's presence.
Luke 24:4While Matthew focuses on the angel's radiant appearance, Luke mentions 'two men in dazzling clothes' at the tomb, reinforcing the theme of heavenly visitors clothed in light.
vincentMatthew 28:3: "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:"
Countenance (εἰδέα)Rev., more correctly, appearance. The word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It does not refer to the face alone, but to the general aspect. Wyc., looking.As lightningIn effulgence. Each evangelist's account of the resurrection emphasizes different particulars. Matthew alone notes the outward glory, the earthquake, the agency of the angel, and the impotence of the military and priestl…
barnesMatthew 28:3: "His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:"
His countenance - In our language the word "countenance" refers to the "face only;" in the original it refers to his "whole person." His "general aspect, or the appearance of the angel himself," was, etc. Like lightning - Peculiarly bright and shining. His raiment white as snow - Celestial beings are usually represented as clothed in white, Acts 1:10; Daniel 7:9; Revelation 3:4-5; Revelation 4:4; Revelation 7:13-…
The angel's "appearance" (not just his face) shone like lightning, a dazzling brilliance that was more than just light, but a divine manifestation itself. His "raiment," the garments he wore, were pure white, signifying his holiness and the victory Christ had just won.
As the Sabbath ends and dawn breaks on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, encountering a violent earthquake and a celestial being. This radiant angel, whose appearance is blindingly bright and whose clothes are pure white, has rolled away the stone and is seated on it. The soldiers guarding the tomb are overcome with terror and fall as if dead, while the angel immediately speaks to the women, intending to announce the most incredible news they will ever hear.
As the Sabbath ends and dawn breaks on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrive at Jesus' tomb, encountering a violent earthquake and a celestial being. This radiant angel, whose appearance is blindingly bright and whose clothes are pure white, has rolled away the stone and is seated on it. The soldiers guarding the tomb are overcome with terror and fall as if dead, while the angel immediately speaks to the women, intending to announce the most incredible news they will ever hear.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 28:3 is available in the Sola app.
Guards Flee in Terror
The Roman guards stationed at the tomb are overcome with fear by the angelic appearance and the earthquake, fleeing the scene.
c. 30 AD
Message to the Disciples
The angel instructs the women to quickly tell Jesus' disciples, especially Peter, that he has risen and will meet them in Galilee.
"His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow." — The angel's "appearance" (not just his face) shone like lightning, a dazzling brilliance that was more than just light, but a divine manifestation itself. His "raiment," the garments he wore, were pu…