Matthew 28:2
ESV
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
NIV
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
NASB
And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone, and sat upon it.
CSB
There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it.
NLT
Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
KJV
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.
NKJV
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.
What does Matthew 28:2 mean?
By comparing Matthew's telling of this event with the other Gospels, it seems clear that this earthquake and the appearance of the angel took place before the women arrived. Matthew's emphasis in his writing is on what happened, mostly grouping his information by theme. He's not as specific about when things happened, in minute order. He has mentioned the women coming to the tomb (Matthew 28:1), but then makes these comments as an aside: this is what had happened prior to women arriving. Likewise, it's not clear if the arrival of the angel caused the great earthquake or if they just happened at the same time. The angel, though, is the one who rolls the stone away. He then sits on it.It's important to notice that Matthew does not say that the angel rolled the stone away so Jesus could get out. In His glorified body after the resurrection, physical objects will not be a barrier to Jesus (John 20:19). Rather, the stone is removed so that the women and the disciples can enter the tomb and see that Jesus' body is gone.
