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.

and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And she saw two angels in white, sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been laid.

and beholds two angels sitting in white garments, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

And sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

and saw two angels clothed in white raiment, sitting one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been.

She saw two angels in white seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and the other at the feet.

And she saw two Angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been placed, one at the head, and one at the feet.

and perceived two angels clothed in white sitting there, where the body of Jesus had been lying, one where the head and the other where the feet had been.

And seeth two angels. What an amazing forbearance displayed by our Lord, in bearing with so many faults in Mary and her companions! For it is no small honor which he confers on them by sending his angels, and, at length, making himself known to them, which he had not done to the apostles. Though the apostles and the women were afflicted with the same disease, yet the stupidity of the apostles was less excusable, because they had profited so little by the valuable and careful instruction which they had received. One purpose, certainly, which Christ had in view in selecting the women, to make the first manifestation of himself to them, was, to fill the apostles with shame. In white garments. Whether Mary knew them to be angels, or thought that they were men, is uncertain. We know that white garments were an emblem of the heavenly glory; as we find that Christ was clothed in white garments, when he was transfigured on the mountain, and showed his glorious majesty to his three apostles, [1] (Matthew 17:2.) Luke relates that the angel who appeared to Cornelius stood before him In Bright Clothing, (Acts 10:30.) Nor do I deny that linen garments were commonly used by the inhabitants of Eastern countries; but by the dress of the angels God pointed out something remarkable and uncommon, and put marks on them, as it were, that they might be distinguished from men. Besides, Matthew 28:3 compares the countenance of the angel, who conversed with the women, to lightning. And yet it is possible that their fear arose solely from their minds being struck with admiration, for it appears that they stood astonished. Again, whenever we read that the angels appeared in the visible form of men and clothed with garments, this was done on account of the ignorance of men. For my part, I have no doubt that they sometimes were clothed with real bodies; but whether or not those two angels had merely the appearance of bodies, would be a useless inquiry, and I shall therefore leave it undetermined. To me it is enough that the Lord gave them a human shape, that the women might see and hear them, while the magnificent and uncommon dress which they wore distinguished them from the ordinary rank of men, and pointed out something divine and heavenly. One at the head, and the other at the feet. One angel only is mentioned by Matthew, (Matthew 28:2.) This, however, does not contradict John's narrative; for both angels did not address Mary at the same time, but only one of them who had a commission to speak. There is no good ground for Augustine's allegory, that the position of the angels -- one at the head, and the other at the feet -- pointed out that the Gospel would be preached from the East to the West. It is more worthy of observation, that Christ, by preparatory arrangements of this nature, made a commencement of the glory of his kingdom; for, by the honor which the angels render to the sepulcher, not only is the ignominy of the cross taken away, but the heavenly majesty of Christ shines.

Footnotes

1 - "Quand il se transfigura on la montague, e, monstra sa majeste glorieuse a ses trois apostres."

Seeth two angels - See on John 20:6 (note). She knew these to be angels by their white and glistening robes. Matthew and Mark mention but one angel - probably that one only that spoke, John 20:13.
One at the head, and the other at the feet - So were the cherubim placed at each end of the mercy-seat: Exodus 25:18, Exodus 25:19. Lightfoot.

(2) And seeth two angels in (b) white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
(2) Two angels are made witnesses of the Lord's resurrection.
(b) In white clothing.

And seeth two angels in white,.... Matthew and Mark speak but of one, but Luke of two, as here; whom he calls men, because they appeared in an human form, and in shining garments, or white apparel; and which appearance is entirely agreeable to the received notion of the Jews, that as evil angels or devils are clothed in black, so good angels, or ministering spirits, , "are clothed in white" (l), expressive of their spotless purity and innocence:
sitting the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain; in what position the body of Christ was laid, whether from west to east, as some, or from north to south, as others, is not certain; since the Jews observed no rule in this matter, as appears from the form of their sepulchres, and the disposition of the graves in them; some lying one way, and some another, in the same vault; See Gill on Luke 24:12.
(l) Gloss. in T. Bab. Kiddushin, fol. 72. 1.

one at the head, and the other at the feet where the body of Jesus had lain--not merely proclaiming silently the entire charge they had had of the body, of Christ [quoted in LUTHARDT], but rather, possibly, calling mute attention to the narrow space within which the Lord of glory had contracted Himself; as if they would say, Come, see within what limits, marked off by the interval here between us two, the Lord lay! But she is in tears, and these suit not the scene of so glorious an Exit. They are going to point out to her the incongruity.