And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
And, behold, there was - that is, there had been, before the arrival of the women,
A great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. And this was the state of things when the women drew near. Some judicious critics think all this was transacted while the women were approaching; but the view we have given, which is the prevalent one, seems the more natural. All this august preparation-recorded by Matthew alone-bespoke the grandeur of the exit which was to follow. The angel sat upon the huge stone, to overawe, with the lightning-luster that darted from him, the Roman guard, and do honour to his rising Lord.