Bible Strands
John 20:12
and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Mary stands outside the tomb weeping and bends down to look inside, where she observes two angels positioned at the head and feet of the burial place. This moment occurs immediately after John 20:11 and precedes the angels' direct question in John 20:13.
The words — θεωρεῖ (theōrei) indicates a clear, focused act of seeing that marks her direct perception of the scene. καθεζομένους (kathezomenous) specifies that the angels are seated rather than standing, indicating a deliberate posture of attendance.
The thread — The white garments parallel the pure clothing of the faithful in Revelation 3:4 and the radiant appearance of divine figures in Daniel 7:9. The discovery of the empty tomb directly parallels the initial report of the missing body in Luke 24:3.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge the physical reality of the empty tomb and the divine presence confirming it. It demands a shift from weeping to attentive observation before any explanation is given.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Cross-references
- Luke 24:3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
- Revelation 3:4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
- Daniel 7:9 As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
- Mark 16:5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
- Revelation 7:14 “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- 2 Chronicles 5:12 all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets.
- Matthew 17:2 There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
- Matthew 28:2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it.
- Luke 24:22 Furthermore, some of our women astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning,
- Acts 1:10 They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.