King James Version
Revelation 5
14 verses with commentary
The Scroll and the Lamb
And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language char...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **And I saw in the right hand **. . .—Better, *And I saw on* (not “in;” the roll lay on the open palm of the hand) *the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne a book written within and behind, fast sealed with seven seals.* The book is, of course, in the form of a roll; it lies on the open hand of the Throned One; it was not His will that the book should be kept from any. It is written...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. (Compare Psa 10:11; 73:11.) Presumptuous skepticism and lawless lust, setting nature and its so-called laws above the God of nature and revelation, and arguing from the past continuity of nature's phenomena that there can be no future interruption to them, was the sin of the antediluvians, and shall be that of the scoffers in the last days.
**Where--**implying that it ought to have taken plac...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Elders exhorted and encouraged.(1-4)
Younger Christians are to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith.(5-9)
Prayers for their growth and establishment.(10-14)
**Verses 1-4**
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastor...
Read full commentary →And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteri...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And I saw a strong **(better, *mighty)* **angel proclaiming with **(or, *in)* **a loud voice, Who is worthy **. . .—We must not let the word “worthy” pass as though it were simply equivalent to “strong enough.” It seems to imply moral fitness (comp. Romans 1:4), which is the true strength in the heavenly world. It was not lack of intellectual capacity so much as the taint of moral unworthine...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
5. Refutation of their scoffing from Scripture history.
**willingly--**wilfully; they do not wish to know. Their ignorance is voluntary.
**they ... are ignorant of--**in contrast to 2Pe 3:8, "Be not ignorant of this." Literally, in both verses, "This escapes THEIR notice (sagacious philosophers though they think themselves)"; "let this not escape YOUR notice." They obstinately shut their eyes ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Elders exhorted and encouraged.(1-4)
Younger Christians are to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith.(5-9)
Prayers for their growth and establishment.(10-14)
**Verses 1-4**
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastor...
Read full commentary →And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **And no man . . . .**—Or, better, *no one* (for it is of more than mankind that the Apostle speaks) *was able*, *in the heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, nor even* (still less?) *to look thereon.* The looking on the book is usually understood of the look cast on the book of one who would read the contents. If so, the thought is, none could open, still less read, the roll. It may,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. Whereby--**Greek, "By which" (plural). By means of which heavens and earth (in respect to the WATERS which flowed together from both) the then world perished (that is, in respect to its occupants, men and animals, and its then existing order: not was annihilated); for in the flood "the fountains of the great deep were broken up" from the earth (1) below, and "the windows of heaven" (2) above ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Elders exhorted and encouraged.(1-4)
Younger Christians are to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith.(5-9)
Prayers for their growth and establishment.(10-14)
**Verses 1-4**
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastor...
Read full commentary →And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish p...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **And I wept much, because no man (better, no one) was found worthy to open . . . the book (omit, “and to read”).**—The Apostle is not ashamed to call attention to his tears. I, indeed, for my part (the “I” is emphatic) wept much. It was not a failure of faith; it was the outburst of an earnest heart, to which the knowledge of God and the destinies of his fellowmen were very dear. Those who ha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. (Compare Job 28:5, end).
**which are now--**"the postdiluvian visible world." In contrast to "that then was," 2Pe 3:6.
**the same--**Other oldest manuscripts read, "His" (God's).
**kept in store--**Greek, "treasured up."
**reserved--**"kept." It is only God's constantly watchful providence which holds together the present state of things till His time for ending it.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
Elders exhorted and encouraged.(1-4)
Younger Christians are to submit to their elders, and to yield with humility and patience to God, and to be sober, watchful, and stedfast in faith.(5-9)
Prayers for their growth and establishment.(10-14)
**Verses 1-4**
The apostle Peter does not command, but exhorts. He does not claim power to rule over all pastor...
Read full commentary →And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **And one of the elders **. . .—Better, *And one from among the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion, which is of the tribe of Judah, the Boot of David, conquered (so as) to open the roll, and the seven seals thereof.* The position of the word *“*conquered” is emphatic, and should receive greater prominence. The verse has been translated, “Behold, one conquered, (even) the Lion . ....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. be not ignorant--**as those scoffers are (2Pe 3:5). Besides the refutation of them (2Pe 3:5-7) drawn from the history of the deluge, here he adds another (addressed more to believers than to the mockers): God's delay in fulfilling His promise is not, like men's delays, owing to inability or fickleness in keeping His word, but through "long-suffering."
**this one thing--**as the consideratio...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness. To be humble, and subject to our reconciled God, will bring greater comfort to the soul than the gratification of pride and ambition. But it is to be in due time; not in thy fancied time, but God's own wise...
Read full commentary →And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spir...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusion...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And I beheld, and lo . . .***—Better, And I saw (omit “and lo”) in the midst of the throne and of the four living beings, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb (or, a little Lamb), standing as if having been slain. *The position of the Lamb is described from the seer’s point of view: the Lamb is not on the throne, but in the middle front of it, and so apparently between the living creatures...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. slack--**slow, tardy, late; exceeding the due time, as though that time were already come. He 10:37, "will not tarry."
**his promise--**which the scoffers cavil at. 2Pe 3:4, "Where is the promise?" It shall be surely fulfilled "according to His promise" (2Pe 3:13).
**some--**the "scoffers."
**count--**His promise to be the result of "slackness" (tardiness).
**long-suffering--**waiting...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-8**
We are inwardly and outwardly defiled; inwardly, by the power and pollution of sin in our nature. For our cleansing there is in and by Christ Jesus, the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Some think that the two sacraments are here meant: baptism with water, as the outward sign of regeneration, and purifying from the pollution of sin by the Holy Spirit; ...
Read full commentary →And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
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KJV Study Commentary
The Lamb taking the scroll demonstrates Christ's unique qualification as Mediator to execute God's redemptive plan. His position—from the throne yet moving to take the scroll—pictures His dual nature as God and man. The act of taking ('elaben') signifies authorization to open history's seals, revealing His sovereignty over all events. Reformed theology emphasizes Christ's mediatorial kingship; hav...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **And he came **. . .—Better, *And He came, and He has taken* (omit the words “the book,” and supply) *it (i.e.,* the roll) *out of the right hand of Him that sitteth upon the throne.* There is a change of tense (“came,” “has taken”), which seems to be due to the rapt attention of the seer, whose narrative trembles with his own intensity of feeling. He wept awhile ago; now he need not weep. Th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. The certainty, suddenness, and concomitant effects, of the coming of the day of the Lord. Faber argues from this that the millennium, &c., must precede Christ's literal coming, not follow it. But "the day of the Lord" comprehends the whole series of events, beginning with the pre-millennial advent, and ending with the destruction of the wicked, and final conflagration, and general judgment...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-8**
We are inwardly and outwardly defiled; inwardly, by the power and pollution of sin in our nature. For our cleansing there is in and by Christ Jesus, the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Some think that the two sacraments are here meant: baptism with water, as the outward sign of regeneration, and purifying from the pollution of sin by the Holy Spirit; ...
Read full commentary →And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. odours: or, incense
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KJV Study Commentary
The elders' harps and golden vials (bowls) of incense symbolize worship and intercession. Harps accompany Psalmic praise; incense represents prayers of the saints (Psalm 141:2), mediated through Christ our High Priest. This heavenly scene depicts corporate worship where earthly prayers ascend as pleasing fragrance. Reformed theology affirms that believers' prayers, imperfect in themselves, are per...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **And when he had taken . **. .—Better, *And when He took the roll*, *the four living beings and the twenty four elders fell before the Lamb, having each a harp, and golden vials* (or, *censers*) *full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints* (or, *the holy ones). *It is not the Church alone which is interested in the revelation which will throw light on life’s mysteries and the delay ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. Your duty, seeing that this is so, is to be ever eagerly expecting the day of God.
**then--**Some oldest manuscripts substitute "thus" for "then": a happy refutation of the "thus" of the scoffers, 2Pe 3:4 (English Version, "As they were," Greek, "thus").
**shall be--**Greek, "are being (in God's appointment, soon to be fulfilled) dissolved"; the present tense implying the certainty as thou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and p...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusion...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9, 10) **And they sung a new song, saying . . .—**Better, *And they sing a new song, saying.* The use of the present (“sing”) is another example of that intensity of interest of which the change of tense in the last verse afforded an instance. As he records his vision, he sees it anew; he describes the action as though it were even now taking place, and he still hears the notes of praise. He who ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. hasting unto--**with the utmost eagerness desiring [Wahl], praying for, and contemplating, the coming Saviour as at hand. The Greek may mean "hastening (that is, urging onward [Alford]) the day of God"; not that God's eternal appointment of the time is changeable, but God appoints us as instruments of accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come. By praying f...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature, d...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. Nevertheless--**"But": in contrast to the destructive effects of the day of God stand its constructive effects. As the flood was the baptism of the earth, eventuating in a renovated earth, partially delivered from "the curse," so the baptism with fire shall purify the earth so as to be the renovated abode of regenerated man, wholly freed from the curse.
**his promise--**(Is 65:17; 66:22). ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and sy...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And I** **beheld **. . .—More literally, *And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels around the throne, and the living beings, and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands.* The chorus of the redeemed is followed by a chorus of angels; for “that which is the highest act of love, towards whatever persons it was manifested, from whatever calamit...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. that ye ... be found of him--**"in His sight" [Alford], at His coming; plainly implying a personal coming.
**without spot--**at the coming marriage feast of the Lamb, in contrast to 2Pe 2:13, "Spots they are and blemishes while they feast," not having on the King's pure wedding garment.
**blameless--**(1Co 1:8; Php 1:10; 1Th 3:13; 5:23).
**in peace--**in all its aspects, towards God, y...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Saying with a loud voice . **. .—The second chorus: the chorus of angels—
“Worthy is the Lamb,
That hath been slain,
To receive the power.
And riches, and wisdom, and might,
And honour, and glory, and blessing.”
The doxology is seven-fold. We have noticed (Revelation 1:6) the increasing strength of the doxologies in which the redeemed take part. This, though a *sevenfold* one, does not inte...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. account ... the long-suffering ... is salvation--**is designed for the salvation of those yet to be gathered into the Church: whereas those scoffers "count it (to be the result of) slackness" on the Lord's part (2Pe 3:9).
**our beloved brother Paul--**a beautiful instance of love and humility. Peter praises the very Epistles which contain his condemnation.
**according to the wisdom given...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto ...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusion...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **And every creature . . .**—The third chorus: the chorus of the universe. The song of the redeemed, echoed by the hosts of angels, is now merged in the utterance of all. “Every creature which is in the heaven, and upon the earth, and beneath the earth, and upon the sea, and all the things that are in them, heard I saying—
“To Him that sitteth upon the throne,
And to the Lamb,
(Be) the blessi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**16. also in all his epistles--**Ro 2:4 is very similar to 2Pe 3:15, beginning. The Pauline Epistles were by this time become the common property of all the churches. The "all" seems to imply they were now completed. The subject of the Lord's coming is handled in 1Th 4:13; 5:11; compare 2Pe 3:10 with 1Th 5:2. Still Peter distinguishes Paul's Epistle, or Epistles, "TO YOU," from "all his (other) E...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of the lamb who is worthy - christ's redemptive work, authority to open the scroll employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language charact...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **And the four beasts . . .**—Better, *And the four living beings said, Amen* (or, *the Amen). And the elders* (omit “four and twenty”) *fell down and* *worshipped.* The remaining words of this verse are wanting in some of the best MSS., and they spoil thegraphic force of the description. The “Amen” rises from universal nature; the Church of Christ falls down in silent adoration. Thought and ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. Ye--**warned by the case of those "unlearned and unstable" persons (2Pe 3:16).
**knowing ... before--**the event.
**led away with--**the very term, as Peter remembers, used by Paul of Barnabas' being "carried," Greek, "led away with" Peter and the other Jews in their hypocrisy.
**wicked--**"lawless," as in 2Pe 2:7.
**fall from--**(grace, Ga 5:4: the true source of) "steadfastness" or...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-14**
It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from ...
Read full commentary →