His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
Parallel translations
- WEB His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
- KJV His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
- BSB His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
- NASB And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.
- NLT His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The angel's appearance is dazzling like lightning, with clothing white as snow. This conveys his heavenly origin and the glory of God's presence.
Overview
The imagery of lightning and brilliant white recalls descriptions of divine glory elsewhere in Scripture, including the transfigured Christ. Such radiance signals that this messenger comes directly from God's holy presence. The brightness underscores that the resurrection is a heaven-sent event, accompanied by signs of God's power and majesty.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Acts 1:10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
- Mark 9:3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
- Mark 16:5Entering into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were amazed.
- Rev 18:1After these things, I saw another angel coming down out of the sky, having great authority. The earth was illuminated with his glory.
- John 20:12and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
- Matt 17:2He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
- Rev 3:4–5Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
- Rev 10:1I saw a mighty angel coming down out of the sky, clothed with a cloud. A rainbow was on his head. His face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire.
- Rev 1:14–16His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
- Dan 10:5–6I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose thighs were adorned with pure gold of Uphaz:
- Dan 7:9I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
- Ezek 1:4–14I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of the middle of it as it were glowing metal, out of the middle of the fire.
- Ps 104:4He makes his messengers winds; his servants flames of fire.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 28:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.