Matthew 28:3
New International Version
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

New Living Translation
His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.

English Standard Version
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

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

Berean Literal Bible
And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

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

New King James Version
His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

New American Standard Bible
And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

NASB 1995
And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

NASB 1977
And his appearance was like lightning, and his garment as white as snow;

Legacy Standard Bible
And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

Amplified Bible
The angel’s appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.

Christian Standard Bible
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow.

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

Contemporary English Version
The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He was as bright as lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow.

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

International Standard Version
His appearance was bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

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

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

New Heart English Bible
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Webster's Bible Translation
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Weymouth New Testament
His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

World English Bible
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and his countenance was as lightning, and his clothing white as snow,

Berean Literal Bible
And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.

Young's Literal Translation
and his countenance was as lightning, and his clothing white as snow,

Smith's Literal Translation
And his aspect was as lightning, and his garment white as snow.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his countenance was as lightning, and his raiment as snow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now his appearance was like lightning, and his vestment was like snow.

New American Bible
His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.

New Revised Standard Version
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His appearance was like lightning, and his garments white as snow.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And his appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment was white as snow.

Godbey New Testament
And his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Haweis New Testament
His aspect was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Mace New Testament
his aspect was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Weymouth New Testament
His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.

Worrell New Testament
And his appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow;

Worsley New Testament
(and his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Resurrection
2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.…

Cross References
Daniel 10:6
His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Revelation 1:14-15
The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters.

Ezekiel 1:13-14
In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. / The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.

Mark 16:5
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

Luke 24:4
While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them.

Acts 1:10
They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

Daniel 7:9
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

Exodus 34:29-30
And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him.

Matthew 17:2
There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Revelation 10:1
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.

2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

John 20:12
and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.

Daniel 12:6-7
One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” / And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”

Acts 6:15
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Judges 13:6
So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.


Treasury of Scripture

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

countenance.

Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Psalm 104:4
Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Ezekiel 1:4-14
And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire…

his raiment.

Mark 9:3
And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

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.

Acts 1:10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Jump to Previous
Appearance Clothes Clothing Countenance Form Lightning Raiment Shining Snow White
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Appearance Clothes Clothing Countenance Form Lightning Raiment Shining Snow White
Matthew 28
1. Christ's resurrection is declared by an angel to the women.
9. He himself appears unto them.
11. The chief priests pay the soldiers to say that he was stolen out of his tomb.
16. Christ appears to his disciples,
18. and sends them to baptize and teach all nations.














His appearance was like lightning
The description of the angel's appearance as "like lightning" emphasizes the divine and supernatural nature of the being. Lightning is often associated with God's power and presence in the Bible, as seen in Exodus 19:16 during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This imagery conveys a sense of awe and fear, highlighting the angel's role as a messenger of God. The brightness and suddenness of lightning also symbolize the revelation of God's truth and the breaking in of the divine into the earthly realm. This description aligns with other biblical accounts of angelic appearances, such as in Daniel 10:6, where an angel is described with a face like lightning.

and his clothes were white as snow
The whiteness of the angel's clothes signifies purity, holiness, and righteousness. In biblical symbolism, white garments often represent the righteousness of God and those who are in His presence. This imagery is consistent with other scriptural references, such as in Revelation 3:5, where the faithful are promised to be clothed in white garments. The comparison to snow, which is pure and unstained, further emphasizes the angel's divine origin and the message of resurrection and new life. This description also connects to the transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17:2, where His clothes became as white as light, indicating His divine glory. The use of snow, a natural element, underscores the purity and perfection of the heavenly realm.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Angel of the Lord
The angel is a divine messenger who appears at the tomb of Jesus. His appearance is described as being like lightning, symbolizing divine power and purity.

2. The Tomb of Jesus
The location where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion. It is the setting for the resurrection event, a pivotal moment in Christian faith.

3. The Resurrection of Jesus
This event marks the victory over death and sin, affirming Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of humanity.
Teaching Points
Divine Presence and Power
The angel's appearance as "like lightning" signifies the power and majesty of God. Believers are reminded of the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence and His ability to intervene powerfully in human history.

Purity and Holiness
The description of the angel's clothes as "white as snow" symbolizes purity and holiness. Christians are called to pursue holiness in their own lives, reflecting the purity of Christ.

Assurance of the Resurrection
The angel's presence at the tomb serves as a divine confirmation of Jesus' resurrection. This event assures believers of the truth of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life.

Fear and Reverence
The reaction to the angel's appearance often includes fear and reverence. Believers are encouraged to approach God with a sense of reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness and power.(3) Like lightning.--The word employed by St. Luke to describe the "raiment has the same force. The "white as snow" has its counterpart in the record of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:3) and the vision of the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9.

Verse 3. - His countenance (ἰδέα, appearance) was like lightning. The angel's aspect was as bright and startling as the flash of lightning (comp. Ezekiel 1:14; Daniel 10:6). His raiment white as snow. Pure and glistening, like the effect of the Transfiguration on the Lord (Matthew 18:2; comp. Acts 1:10; Revelation 10:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

appearance
εἰδέα (eidea)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2397: Form, outward appearance. From eido; a sight, i.e. Aspect.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

lightning,
ἀστραπὴ (astrapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 796: A flash of lightning, brightness, luster. From astrapto; lightning; by analogy, glare.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

clothing
ἔνδυμα (endyma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1742: A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.

white
λευκὸν (leukon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3022: White, bright, brilliant. From luke; white.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

snow.
χιών (chiōn)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5510: Snow. Perhaps akin to the base of chasma or cheimon; snow.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 28:3 His appearance was like lightning and his (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 28:2
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