Alberti Magni Opera Omnia, Vol. XXXVII

QUESTION VI.

After this it is asked, In what garment did he appear, since in other places Angels are described as clothed?

§ I.

And it seems that it was in a white garment: because
1. The same one is conceived and announced, who also later rose again: therefore he ought to have been announced in a similar garment and habit: but in the resurrection the Angels appeared in white garments: therefore also now.
2. Item, Gregory says: "The whiteness of a garment signifies the joy of a future solemnity." But here was the greatest feast, when divinity was joined to humanity in one person. Therefore the Angel ought to have announced that feast in the whiteness of a garment.
3. Item, In the transfiguration his garments became white as snow original: "¹", such as a fuller upon earth cannot make. And the Gloss says that then he showed the appearance he had by nature. Therefore [he wore] a white garment by nature.

§ II.

It seems, however, that he ought to have had a sordid and black garment.
1. For Zechariah saw Jesus Joshua the high priest clothed in sordid garments original: "²": and the Gloss explains this regarding the induction that was made at the Incarnation: therefore the Angel announcing this also should have appeared clothed in sordid garments.
2. Item, Psalm 29, 12: You have torn my sackcloth, etc. Therefore the Lord at the Incarnation put on the sackcloth of our mortality, in which he carried the treasure of our redemption: therefore the Angel announcing this ought to have been clothed in sackcloth.
3. Item, If in the resurrection the Angels appeared in white garments original: "³" because they announced Christ absolved from the passion: therefore in a black garment they ought to have announced him as incarnate and about to suffer.

§ III.

It seems, however, that [it was] in a bicolor garment:
1. Whence in the Song of Songs, 5:10, it says: My beloved is white and ruddy, etc.

¹ Matt. 17, 2.
² Zech. 3, 3.

³ Cf. Matt. 28, 3; Mark 16, 5; Luke 24, 4; John 20, 12.