Matthew 28:3

KJV

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} His {G846} countenance {G2397} was {G2258} like {G5613} lightning {G796}, and {G2532} his {G846} raiment {G1742} white {G3022} as {G5616} snow {G5510}:

Complete Jewish Bible

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.

Berean Standard Bible

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

American Standard Version

His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 28:3 offers a striking depiction of the angel who descended to the tomb of Jesus, emphasizing his awe-inspiring appearance. The verse describes the angel's face as radiant and intense like lightning, and his clothing as dazzlingly white as snow. This vivid imagery serves to underscore the divine power and heavenly glory associated with the resurrection of Christ, creating a scene of overwhelming majesty and supernatural intervention that profoundly impacted those who witnessed it.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the climactic resurrection narrative in Matthew's Gospel, immediately following the description of a great earthquake and the angel's descent to roll away the stone from Jesus' tomb. [Matthew 28:1-2](/matthew/28-1-2 "The Women at the Tomb and the Angel's Descent") sets the scene, with Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" arriving at the tomb only to witness this dramatic celestial intervention. The angel's terrifying yet glorious appearance, as detailed in [Matthew 28:3](/matthew/28-3 "The Angel's Appearance"), directly precedes the Roman guards' reaction of fear and paralysis in [Matthew 28:4](/matthew/28-4 "The Guards' Reaction") and the angel's comforting message to the women in [Matthew 28:5-7](/matthew/28-5-7 "The Angel's Message of Resurrection"). This sequence highlights the divine authority and power at work in the resurrection, validating its supernatural nature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Jewish context, angels were understood as divine messengers and agents of God's will, often appearing with supernatural power and glory. Descriptions of their appearance, though rare in such vivid detail, typically conveyed their heavenly origin and the awesome presence of God they represented. The Roman guards, accustomed to military discipline and earthly power, would have been utterly unprepared for such a celestial manifestation. Their reaction of shaking and becoming "like dead men" ([Matthew 28:4](/matthew/28-4 "The Guards' Fear")) is a testament to the overwhelming nature of this divine encounter, far surpassing any human or military might they had ever encountered. The contrast between the mundane setting of a tomb and the dazzling heavenly display further emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Jesus' triumph over death.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 28:3 contributes significantly to several major themes within the Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully conveys **Divine Glory and Power**. The angel's radiant appearance is not merely aesthetic but a direct manifestation of God's overwhelming presence and authority, underscoring the miraculous nature of the resurrection. This aligns with other biblical descriptions of heavenly beings or divine manifestations, such as the [glorious figure seen by Daniel](/daniel/10-6 "Daniel's Vision of a Glorious Being") or the [vision of Christ in Revelation](/revelation/1-14 "John's Vision of the Glorified Christ"). Secondly, the theme of **Purity and Holiness** is evident in the angel's "raiment white as snow." White garments consistently symbolize divine purity, righteousness, and victory throughout Scripture, contrasting sharply with the darkness of death and the grave and highlighting the triumph of life and holiness. Finally, the angel's radiant appearance serves as a **Divine Confirmation** of the extraordinary event—the resurrection of Jesus. Its overwhelming nature was designed to instill awe and fear in the Roman guards, rendering them powerless, while providing a clear and undeniable sign to the women that a supernatural event had occurred, echoing the divine signs given to confirm God's work throughout [biblical history](/exodus/19-16 "The Manifestation of God at Sinai").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **countenance (Greek, _idéa'_):** From G2397, this word refers to a "sight" or "aspect," emphasizing the outward appearance or form. In this context, it highlights the visual impact and striking impression made by the angel's face, conveying a sense of his very being or essence as perceived by others.
* **lightning (Greek, _astrapḗ'_):** From G796, this term signifies "lightning" or "glare." It denotes a sudden, brilliant, and powerful flash of light. The comparison to lightning emphasizes the angel's intense, overwhelming radiance and the awe-inspiring, even terrifying, nature of his divine presence, often associated with divine revelation or judgment in biblical literature.
* **raiment (Greek, _éndyma'_):** From G1742, this word refers to "apparel," specifically an "outer robe" or "clothing." The description of the angel's raiment is crucial as it signifies his heavenly origin and purity, with the color "white as snow" conveying symbolic meaning beyond mere attire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"His countenance was like lightning,"**: This clause vividly describes the angel's face or appearance as having an intense, brilliant, and perhaps even terrifying radiance, akin to a sudden flash of lightning. This imagery conveys overwhelming power, divine energy, and an unapproachable holiness, immediately establishing the supernatural nature of the being and the event. It suggests a manifestation of divine glory that is both awe-inspiring and fear-inducing.
* **"and his raiment white as snow:"**: This second clause focuses on the angel's clothing, describing it as immaculately white. The simile "white as snow" is a common biblical idiom for absolute purity, holiness, and divine brilliance. This aspect of the angel's appearance reinforces his heavenly origin and moral perfection, contrasting sharply with the darkness of the tomb and the defilement of death, symbolizing the triumph of life and purity that the resurrection represents.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 28:3 employs powerful **Imagery** and **Simile** to convey the angel's supernatural appearance. The description "His countenance was like lightning" uses a simile to compare the angel's face to the sudden, brilliant, and powerful flash of lightning, evoking a sense of divine energy, speed, and overwhelming glory. Similarly, "his raiment white as snow" uses another simile to emphasize the absolute purity, dazzling brightness, and heavenly origin of the angel's garments. This stark **Contrast** between the angel's radiant appearance and the dark, somber setting of the tomb heightens the dramatic impact of the resurrection event. The passage also hints at **Theophany** (or Christophany, if the angel is a pre-incarnate Christ, though less likely here), as the description of the angel's glory echoes biblical accounts of divine manifestations, underscoring the direct intervention of God in human history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The striking description of the angel in Matthew 28:3 is more than mere visual detail; it is deeply theological, serving as a divine affirmation of Jesus' victory over death and the grave. The angel's radiant glory, reminiscent of God's own presence, signifies that the resurrection is not merely a human event but a monumental act of God. This divine display underscores the purity, power, and holiness inherent in the resurrection, confirming its supernatural reality and the absolute authority of Christ. It also foreshadows the future glory of believers, who will one day share in Christ's radiant purity and triumph over mortality.

* [Daniel 10:6](/daniel/10-6 "Daniel's Vision of a Glorious Being")
* [Revelation 1:14](/revelation/1-14 "John's Vision of the Glorified Christ")
* [Psalm 51:7](/psalms/51-7 "Being Washed Whiter Than Snow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid imagery of Matthew 28:3 serves as a profound beacon of hope and a call to awe for believers today. The angel's overwhelming radiance and purity powerfully attest to the reality and magnitude of Jesus' resurrection, reminding us that death has been decisively overcome by divine power. This truth offers immense comfort in times of grief and an unshakeable assurance of eternal life for those who believe. Furthermore, the sheer majesty of the angel's appearance should inspire a deep sense of reverence and worship for God, who orchestrates such divine displays and whose power transcends all human comprehension. It beckons us to consider the holiness and glory of the One we serve, fostering a spirit of humility and adoration. Finally, this divine display foreshadows the glory that awaits believers. Just as the angel was radiant, so too will believers be transformed and glorified, reflecting Christ's own glory, pointing to a future where purity, divine light, and eternal life prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the angel's glorious appearance deepen your understanding of the power and significance of Jesus' resurrection?**
* **In what ways does the description of the angel's purity and radiance challenge or encourage your pursuit of holiness in your own life?**
* **How does this passage inspire awe and reverence for God in your heart, and how might you express that worship more fully?**
* **What hope does the angel's glory offer you regarding your own future and the ultimate triumph of life over death?**

### FAQ
**Why is the angel described with such intense imagery, like "lightning" and "white as snow"?**

Answer: The intense imagery of the angel's appearance in [Matthew 28:3](/matthew/28-3 "The Angel's Appearance") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it emphasizes the divine and supernatural nature of the angel, indicating that this is no ordinary messenger but a being from God's heavenly realm. The comparison to "lightning" conveys immense power, speed, and an overwhelming, unapproachable glory, often associated with divine manifestations in the Old Testament (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:13](/ezekiel/1-13 "Ezekiel's Vision of Living Creatures")). Secondly, the "white as snow" raiment symbolizes absolute purity, holiness, and righteousness, underscoring the sacredness of the resurrection event. This visual splendor was designed to confirm the extraordinary miracle that had just occurred—Jesus' triumph over death—and to instill awe and fear in the Roman guards ([Matthew 28:4](/matthew/28-4 "The Guards' Reaction")), while providing undeniable validation to the women who came to the tomb. It visually communicates the magnitude of God's intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 28:3 describes the glory of an angel, it ultimately points to the even greater glory of the resurrected Christ, whose triumph the angel announces and confirms. The angel's "countenance like lightning" and "raiment white as snow" are but a faint echo of the radiant glory of Jesus Himself, whose face shone like the sun and clothes became as white as light at the [Transfiguration](/matthew/17-2 "The Transfiguration of Jesus"). This angelic splendor foreshadows the resurrected body of Jesus, which is no longer subject to the limitations of earthly existence but is glorified and immortal. Moreover, this scene anticipates the future revelation of Christ's full glory at His second coming, when He will return with power and great glory, accompanied by His angels ([Matthew 24:30-31](/matthew/24-30-31 "The Coming of the Son of Man")). The angel's dazzling appearance serves as a tangible sign of the divine power that raised Jesus from the dead, a power that now indwells believers through the Holy Spirit ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "The Spirit of God Dwells in You")) and promises our own future resurrection and glorification, when we too will be made like Him, seeing Him as He is ([1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "We Shall Be Like Him")). The angel's glory, therefore, is a pointer to the ultimate, eternal glory of Christ and the new creation He inaugurates.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 9:3

And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Acts 1:10

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Mark 16:5

And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.

John 20:12

And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Revelation 18:1

¶ And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Matthew 17:2

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.