# Matthew 28:3

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**Matthew 28:3** is the third [verse](/source/Chapters_and_verses_of_the_Bible) of [the twenty-eighth chapter](/source/Matthew_28) of the [Gospel of Matthew](/source/Gospel_of_Matthew) in the [New Testament](/source/New_Testament). This verse is part of the [resurrection](/source/Resurrection) narrative and describes the [angel](/source/Angel) who arrived at the tomb of Jesus in the [previous verse](/source/Matthew_28:2).

## Content

The original [Koine Greek](/source/Koine_Greek), according to [Westcott and Hort](/source/The_New_Testament_in_the_Original_Greek), reads:

- ην δε η ειδεα αυτου ως αστραπη
- και το ενδυμα αυτου λευκον ως χιων

In the [King James Version](/source/King_James_Version) of the Bible it is translated as:

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

The modern [World English Bible](/source/World_English_Bible) translates the passage as:

- His appearance was bright as lightning,
- and his clothing is white as snow.[a]

## Analysis

As with the great events of the previous verse, this verse emphasizes the importance of the figure and the events that happened.[1] The text depicts the angel as an exalted figure and thus prompting great importance.[2] The other gospels have a more muted description of the angel: and [John 20:12](/source/John_20:12) refer to a figure clad in white, while in the [Revised Standard Version](/source/Revised_Standard_Version) and some other translations describes the clothes as "dazzling", perhaps combining the lightning face and white clothes of this verse.[3]

The image of the angel has multiple descriptions in the [Old Testament](/source/Old_Testament), reflecting Matthew's fondness for scriptural references.[3] mentioned an angel with a face like lightning, and [Ezekiel 1](/source/Ezekiel_1) since lightning associates with the creatures surrounding God. described God himself as appearing white as [snow](/source/Snow).[4] This suggest that angels are linked to God and that they are more than mere messengers, but they also play an important [theophonic](/source/Theophany) role.[5]

The description is also similar to that of the transfigured Christ at [Matthew 17:2](/source/Matthew_17:2), but Boring suggests that the angel in that verse was a bit less in glory from Jesus, showing his more divine nature.[6] Jesus is also described as being white as snow in .[7] The color white symbolizes purity in both the Old and New Testaments, a reflection of the culture in that period. Jewish rabbis, Egyptian priests, and pious worshippers were all normally clad in white in this period.[8]

## Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this verse are:

- [Codex Vaticanus](/source/Codex_Vaticanus) (~325-350)
- [Codex Sinaiticus](/source/Codex_Sinaiticus) (~330-360)
- [Codex Bezae](/source/Codex_Bezae) (~400)
- [Codex Washingtonianus](/source/Codex_Washingtonianus) (~400)
- [Codex Alexandrinus](/source/Codex_Alexandrinus) (~400-440)
- [Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus](/source/Codex_Ephraemi_Rescriptus) (~450)
- [Papyrus 105](/source/Papyrus_105) (5th/6th century)[9][10]
- [Codex Purpureus Rossanensis](/source/Codex_Purpureus_Rossanensis) (6th century)

## Notes

1. For a collection of other versions see [BibleHub Matthew 28:3](http://biblehub.com/matthew/28-3.htm).

## References

1. Beare, Francis W. *The Gospel According to St. Matthew.* Harper & Row, 1981.

1. [Nolland, John](/source/John_Nolland). *The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary on the Greek text.* Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005 pg. 1247

1. [Gundry, Robert H.](/source/Robert_H._Gundry) *Matthew a Commentary on his Literary and Theological Art*. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982. pg.587

1. [Nolland, John](/source/John_Nolland), *The Gospel of Matthew: a commentary on the Greek text*, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2005 pg. 1247

1. France, R.T. *The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary*, Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985. pg. 407

1. Boring, Eugene "Gospel of Matthew", *The New Interpreter's Bible, volume 8* Abingdon, 1995 pg. 499

1. [Schweizer, Eduard](/source/Eduard_Schweizer). *The Good News According to Matthew*, Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1975 pg. 524

1. Keener, Craig S. *The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.* Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2009. pg. 700

1. Thomas, J. David. *The Oxyrhynchus Papyri LXIV* (London: 1997), pp. 12–13

1. ["Liste Handschriften"](http://intf.uni-muenster.de/vmr/NTVMR/ListeHandschriften.php?ObjID=10105). Münster: Institute for New Testament Textual Research. Retrieved 27 August 2011.

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