Book of Mark - Chapter 16 - Verse 5

When the women entered the sepulchre, they were greeted by a young man dressed in a long white garment, sitting on the right side. This young man was an angel, who had come to announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Jewish culture, white garments were often worn as a symbol of purity and righteousness, emphasizing the angel's divine nature. The women were filled with fear and amazement at the sight of this heavenly being. This moment marked a pivotal event in the Christian faith, as it signaled the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to rise from the dead. The presence of the angel served as a reassurance to the women that Jesus had indeed conquered death and was alive. The angel's appearance in the empty tomb was a powerful symbol of hope and victory over death, reinforcing the belief in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life for all believers.

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse 'And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted,' scholars often focus on the symbolism of the young man and the white garment. In the Bible, angels are commonly depicted as young men, indicating that the figure the women saw was likely an angel. The white garment worn by the angel is significant as white symbolizes purity and righteousness in the Bible, which could be interpreted as a representation of the angel's holiness and divine nature. Additionally, the placement of the angel on the right side holds theological significance as well, as the right side is often associated with favor, power, and authority in the Bible. The fear experienced by the women upon seeing the angel could be seen as a natural response to encountering a divine being, highlighting the reverence and awe inspired by the presence of God's messengers.