King James Version

What Does Revelation 20:4 Mean?

Revelation 20:4 in the King James Version says “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were behea... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 · KJV


Context

2

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worship... This verse from Revelation's vision of millennium, satan bound, final rebellion, great white throne - ultimate justice employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature, drawing heavily from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah.

The symbolism must be interpreted within its first-century context while recognizing timeless spiritual realities. The imagery would resonate powerfully with persecuted believers facing Roman imperial cult worship, providing hope that despite present suffering, Christ reigns sovereign and will consummate His kingdom. The apocalyptic genre uses symbolic numbers (seven, twelve, 144,000), colors, beasts, and cosmic imagery to convey theological truth rather than photographic descriptions.

Christologically, Revelation consistently exalts Jesus as the victorious Lamb, the faithful witness, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Every vision ultimately points to Christ's supremacy, His finished redemptive work, and His certain return to judge the living and dead and establish the new creation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

John received this revelation circa AD 95 during Domitian's persecution, exiled on Patmos for his testimony. The seven churches of Asia Minor faced increasing pressure to participate in emperor worship and pagan religious practices. Refusal meant economic hardship, social ostracism, and potential martyrdom. Understanding this context illuminates Revelation's encouragement to faithful endurance.

The apocalyptic genre was familiar to first-century Jewish and Christian readers. Rather than newspaper-style predictions, apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery to reveal spiritual realities behind earthly events, encourage the faithful, warn the unfaithful, and assert God's ultimate sovereignty over history. Parallels with Daniel, Ezekiel, and intertestamental apocalyptic writings would help original readers decode the symbols.

Rome's imperial cult demanded worship of Caesar as divine, placing Christians in impossible situations—compromise their faith or face persecution. Revelation identifies Rome as "Babylon" and assures believers that despite appearances, the Lamb conquered through His death and resurrection, and all earthly kingdoms will submit to His reign.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Revelation 20:4 reveal God's character, particularly His sovereignty, holiness, and justice?
  2. What specific encouragement or warning does this verse offer for maintaining faithful Christian witness amid cultural pressure?
  3. How does this passage point to Christ's victory and the hope of new creation, and how should that shape your present priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 59 words
καὶ1 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶδον2 of 59

I saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

θρόνους3 of 59

thrones

G2362

a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

καὶ4 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐκάθισαν5 of 59

they sat

G2523

to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)

ἐπὶ6 of 59

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῶν,7 of 59

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ8 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κρίμα9 of 59

judgment

G2917

a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime"))

ἐδόθη10 of 59

was given

G1325

to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)

αὐτῶν,11 of 59

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ12 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰς13 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ψυχὰς14 of 59

I saw the souls

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

τῶν15 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πεπελεκισμένων16 of 59

of them that were beheaded

G3990

to chop off (the head), i.e., truncate

διὰ17 of 59

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν18 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαρτυρίαν19 of 59

the witness

G3141

evidence given (judicially or genitive case)

Ἰησοῦ20 of 59

of Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ21 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

διὰ22 of 59

for

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὸν23 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον24 of 59

the word

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

τοῦ25 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ26 of 59

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ27 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οἵτινες28 of 59

which

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

οὐκ29 of 59

neither

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

προσεκύνησαν30 of 59

had

G4352

to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)

τῷ31 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θηριῷ,32 of 59

the beast

G2342

a dangerous animal

οὐτὲ33 of 59

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

τὴν34 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εἰκόνα35 of 59

image

G1504

a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance

αὐτῶν,36 of 59

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ37 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ38 of 59

neither

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔλαβον39 of 59

had received

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

τὸ40 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάραγμα41 of 59

his mark

G5480

a scratch or etching, i.e., stamp (as a badge of servitude), or scupltured figure (statue)

ἐπὶ42 of 59

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ43 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μέτωπον44 of 59

foreheads

G3359

the forehead (as opposite the countenance)

αὐτῶν,45 of 59

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ46 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐπὶ47 of 59

in

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν48 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χεῖρα49 of 59

hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

αὐτῶν,50 of 59

his

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ51 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔζησαν52 of 59

they lived

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

καὶ53 of 59

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐβασίλευσαν54 of 59

reigned

G936

to rule (literally or figuratively)

μετὰ55 of 59

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

Χριστοῦ56 of 59

Christ

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

τά57 of 59
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χίλια58 of 59

a thousand

G5507

a thousand

ἔτη59 of 59

years

G2094

a year


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 20:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 20:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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