John 20:12

12 And she saw two angels sitting in white, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus was laid.

John 20:12 Meaning and Commentary

John 20:12

And seeth two angels in white
Matthew and Mark speak but of one, but Luke of two, as here; whom he calls men, because they appeared in an human form, and in shining garments, or white apparel; and which appearance is entirely agreeable to the received notion of the Jews, that as evil angels or devils are clothed in black, so good angels, or ministering spirits, (Mynbl yvwbl) , "are clothed in white" F12, expressive of their spotless purity and innocence:

sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had lain;
in what position the body of Christ was laid, whether from west to east, as some, or from north to south, as others, is not certain; since the Jews observed no rule in this matter, as appears from the form of their sepulchres, and the disposition of the graves in them; some lying one way, and some another, in the same vault; (See Gill on Luke 24:12).


FOOTNOTES:

F12 Gloss. in T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 72. 1.

John 20:12 In-Context

10 Therefore the disciples went again to themselves.
11 But Mary stood at the grave withoutforth weeping. And while she wept, she bowed her(self), and beheld forth into the grave.
12 And she saw two angels sitting in white, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus was laid.
13 And they say to her, Woman, what weepest thou? She said to them, For they have taken away my Lord, and I know not, where they have laid him.
14 When she had said these things, she turned backward [she turned aback], and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.