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MATTHEW 28:3 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 28:2Matt 28:4
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
The angel's description — appearance like lightning and clothes white as snow — is the language of heavenly beings throughout the biblical tradition. Daniel 7:9 describes the Ancient of Days in white garments; Daniel 10:6 describes the heavenly messenger's face like lightning; the Transfiguration shows Jesus' face shining like the sun and garments becoming white as light. The resurrection angel carries the same visual register as the transfiguration, connecting the two mountain moments: both reveal the glory that was present with Jesus throughout his ministry. The guards' paralysis before this appearance while the women receive comfort from it communicates the resurrection's dual character — it is terrifying judgment for those who oppose the kingdom and life-giving news for those who have followed.

Church Fathers on Matthew 28:3

After the mockings and scourgings, after the mingled dr aug hts of vinegar and gall, the pains of the cross, and the wounds, and finally after death itself and Hades, there rose again from the grave a renewed flesh, there returned from obstruction a hidden life, health chained up in death broke forth, with fresh beauty from its ruin.

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century · Hom. de Resur., iii

Concerning the hour when the women came to the sepulchre there arises a question not to be overlooked. Matthew here says, 'On the evening of the Sabbath.' What then means that of Mark, 'Very early in the morning, the first day of the week?' [Mark 16:2]

Augustine · 4th century · de Cons. Ev., iii, 24

Otherwise; It may be understood that they began to come in the evening, but that it was the dawn of the first day of the week when they reached the sepulchre; that is, that they prepared the spices for anointing the Lord’s body in the evening, but that they took them to the sepulchre in the morning. This has been so shortly described by Matthew, that it is not quite clear in his account, but the other Evangelists give the order more distinctly. The Lord was buried on the…

Bede · 8th century · Beda in loc.
Read all 35 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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