Matthew 28:5

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who hath been crucified.

Criticism of the gospel narratives in their various accounts of the angels is well known, being founded on the fact that Matthew mentions "one angel seated," Luke mentions "two standing" (Luke 24:4), and John tells of "two seated" (John 20:12). All such fault-finding ignores the truth that none of the gospel writers gave all the incidents attending the wonder of our Lord's resurrection. On the other hand, the divine accounts are supplementary, each to the others, and focused upon different people, at different times, and totally void of that glib, verbatim parroting which unspiritual men seem to expect, and which, if it existed, would be the occasion for far more serious objections than may be fairly lodged against such wholesome and natural variations as necessarily occur in the writings of independent witnesses. Haley properly noted that:

Ebrard, with other critics, has made it clear that these passages relate to different persons and times ... One angel appeared at one time, two at another time. The position assumed, also, may have varied at different times.[4]

Could not an angel have sat down?

It is a grave fault to overlook the tremendous significance of the wonderful events here by concentrating on so-called difficulties. The big news and revelation of this verse is to the effect that the crucifixion of Jesus was of the utmost concern and widest possible observance even in heaven, that the angels of God were intent and diligent in their following of the sublime events of Calvary, and that they knew even the hearts of those who were participants in that awesome battle for the redemption of man. The admonition of the angels for the women not to "fear" shows that, in all ages, those who truly seek him have nothing to fear.