“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 ESV).
While scores of human beings interacted with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, those members of humanity were not the only witnesses to His life and work. For instance, the Biblical accounts of Jesus’ life reveal that numerous angelic beings were also present at various stages throughout His life.
For example, an angel brought word of Jesus’ pending conception in making the following announcement to Mary: “…behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus” (Luke 2:31). Later, an army of angelic beings delivered the news of Jesus’ birth to a group of shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Angels also ministered to Jesus at the beginning of His ministry (Matthew 4:11; Mark 1:13) and then again as He approached the end of His earthly life in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-43).
Angelic beings were also active in the events surrounding Jesus’ death. For instance, an angel rolled away the stone that sealed Jesus’ burial tomb (Matthew 28:2). He then spoke the following words to a group of women who had arrived at Jesus’ sepulcher…
“…the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.’ So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word” (Matthew 28:5-8).
The final angelic association with Jesus’ earthly ministry took place at His ascension…
“Now when [Jesus] had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven'” (Acts 1:9-11).
Although these events are now in the past, the Scriptures also tell us that angelic beings will appear once again with Jesus in the future upon His return (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).