Charles Ellicott Commentary John 20:12

"and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain." — John 20:12 (ASV)

And seeth two angels in white sitting.—Compare generally on the vision of angels, Notes on Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:5–7; Luke 24:4–8. This is to be regarded as a distinct vision to Mary, which, from the fullness with which it is recorded, we must suppose that she herself related to the Evangelist. (Compare Introduction, p. 379.) It rests, therefore, upon her testimony, and as a vision to her only may seem to be less certainly objective than the other appearances.

Great caution is, however, necessary in estimating the truth of that which is wholly beyond the application of our ordinary canons of evidence. If we admit the earlier vision of angels, of which there were several witnesses, there can be no reason for rejecting this; and if the evidence was at the time sufficient to convince the Evangelist, who himself had seen no such vision, but was guided by the Spirit to accept and record this, as seen by Mary, we have a decisive judgment of higher authority than any which criticism can attain.

With the words “in white” we are, of course, to understand clothing. The ellipsis is frequent in the classics, and indeed in all writers.

The one at the head, and the other at the feet.—The idea is apparently that of sitting and watching the body. She had feared that some outrage had been committed upon the body; but God had given His angels charge concerning Him.