Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 28:3

"His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:" — Matthew 28:3 (ASV)

The clause introduced by “for” either suggests that the violent earthquake came with the “angel of the Lord” or was the means the angel used to open the tomb. The stone was rolled back, the seal broken, and the soldiers made helpless —not to let the risen Messiah escape, but to let the first witnesses in.