Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 28:3-4

"His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men." — Matthew 28:3-4 (ASV)

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

He said nothing as he rolled back the stone; he did not shake a sword at them, or over them, to fill them with terror. The presence of perfect purity, the presence of heavenly things, is a terror to ungodly men.

May you and I be such that our very presence in company will cast a hush over it! "It was even as though an angel shook his wings," they said of one good man, when he spoke in common conversation. May there be about us enough of the heavenly to make the powers of evil quail before us!

It took a great deal to alarm Roman soldiers. They were accustomed to all manner of terrors, but this angel’s radiant face and snow-white garments paralyzed them with fright, until they fainted and became as dead men. He does not appear to have drawn a flaming sword, nor even to have spoken to the guards, but the presence of perfect purity overawed these rough legionaries. What terror will strike through the ungodly when all the hosts of angels shall descend and surround the throne of the reigning Christ on the last great day!