The Angels of Easter

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An angel’s primary role is to be a messenger. After the first angel makes his spectacular entrance and rolls away the stone, he gives the first message of Easter to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary. The angel said, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." (Matthew 28:6-8)

In Mark 16:6-7, the angel spoke to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome: "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'”

Luke tells how Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, and others were puzzled when they found the tomb empty.  Suddenly, two angels dressed in dazzling robes appeared and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” (Luke 24:5-7) 

Certainly, the “Easter angels” performed their supporting roles well. They rolled the stone away from the tomb’s entrance, invited the faithful to witness the empty tomb, explained the significance of the resurrection, and gave instructions from Jesus about what his followers were to do next. Then, the angels disappeared after accomplishing their supporting roles. They had pointed to the mighty God in the resurrection, so their work was done. How like the angels!

Read More:

Lent Angels

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Timeline for the Appearance of Angels on Easter Morning

We find the events of Easter and the involvement of angels in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Event	Bible Passage
Three women start for the tomb	Luke 23:55-24:1
They discover that an angel has rolled the stone away	24:2-9, Matthew 28:2
Mary Magdalene goes to tell the disciples	John 20:1, 2
Mary, the mother of James, sees two angels	Matthew 28:3-5
Peter and John run to the tomb and look in	John 20:3-9
Mary Magdalene returns, sees angels and Jesus	John 20:10-18
Mary, the mother of James, returns with others	Luke 24:1-4
Only the women see the angels	Luke 24:5; Mark 16:5
The angel gives the message that Jesus is risen	Matthew 28:6-8
The women meet Jesus as they leave	Matthew 28:9, 10