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The Seven Seals

I looked on when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a thunderous voice,[a] “Come!”[b] So[c] I looked,[d] and here came[e] a white horse! The[f] one who rode it[g] had a bow, and he was given a crown,[h] and as a conqueror[i] he rode out to conquer.

Then[j] when the Lamb[k] opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” And another horse, fiery red,[l] came out, and the one who rode it[m] was granted permission[n] to take peace from the earth, so that people would butcher[o] one another, and he was given a huge sword.

Then[p] when the Lamb opened the third seal I heard the third living creature saying, “Come!” So[q] I looked,[r] and here came[s] a black horse! The[t] one who rode it[u] had a balance scale[v] in his hand. Then[w] I heard something like a voice from among the four living creatures saying, “A quart[x] of wheat will cost a day’s pay[y] and three quarts of barley will cost a day’s pay. But[z] do not damage the olive oil and the wine!”

Then[aa] when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” So[ab] I looked[ac] and here came[ad] a pale green[ae] horse! The[af] name of the one who rode it[ag] was Death, and Hades followed right behind.[ah] They[ai] were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill its population with the sword,[aj] famine, and disease,[ak] and by the wild animals of the earth.

Now[al] when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed[am] because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. 10 They[an] cried out with a loud voice,[ao] “How long,[ap] Sovereign Master,[aq] holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Each[ar] of them was given a long white robe and they were told to rest for a little longer, until the full number was reached[as] of both their fellow servants[at] and their brothers who were going to be killed just as they had been.

12 Then[au] I looked when the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and a huge[av] earthquake took place; the sun became as black as sackcloth made of hair,[aw] and the full moon became blood red;[ax] 13 and the stars in the sky[ay] fell to the earth like a fig tree dropping[az] its unripe figs[ba] when shaken by a fierce[bb] wind. 14 The sky[bc] was split apart[bd] like a scroll being rolled up,[be] and every mountain and island was moved from its place. 15 Then[bf] the kings of the earth, the[bg] very important people, the generals,[bh] the rich, the powerful, and everyone, slave[bi] and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They[bj] said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who is seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,[bk] 17 because the great day of their[bl] wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”[bm]

The Sealing of the 144,000

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so no wind could blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then[bn] I saw another angel ascending from the east,[bo] who had[bp] the seal[bq] of the living God. He[br] shouted out with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given permission[bs] to damage the earth and the sea:[bt] “Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have put a seal on the foreheads of the servants[bu] of our God.” Now[bv] I heard the number of those who were marked with the seal,[bw] 144,000, sealed from all[bx] the tribes of the people of Israel:[by]

From the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed,
from the tribe of Reuben, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Gad, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Asher, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Naphtali, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Manasseh, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Simeon, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Levi, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Issachar, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Zebulun, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Joseph, twelve thousand,
from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed.

After these things I looked, and here was[bz] an enormous crowd that no one could count, made up of persons from every nation, tribe,[ca] people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb dressed in long white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 10 They were shouting out in a loud voice,

“Salvation belongs to our God,[cb] who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels stood[cc] there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground[cd] before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying,

“Amen! Praise and glory,
and wisdom and thanksgiving,
and honor and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

13 Then[ce] one of the elders asked[cf] me, “These dressed in long white robes—who are they and where have they come from?” 14 So[cg] I said to him, “My lord, you know the answer.”[ch] Then[ci] he said to me, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation. They[cj] have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb! 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve[ck] him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them.[cl] 16 They will never go hungry or be thirsty again, and the sun will not beat down on them, nor any burning heat,[cm] 17 because the Lamb in the middle of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”[cn]

The Seventh Seal

Now[co] when the Lamb[cp] opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then[cq] I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another[cr] angel holding[cs] a golden censer[ct] came and was stationed[cu] at the altar. A[cv] large amount of incense was given to him to offer up, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar that is before the throne. The[cw] smoke coming from the incense,[cx] along with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then[cy] the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it on the earth, and there were crashes of thunder, roaring,[cz] flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Now[da] the seven angels holding[db] the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

The[dc] first angel blew his trumpet, and there was hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was thrown at the earth so that[dd] a third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

Then[de] the second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain of burning fire was thrown into the sea. A[df] third of the sea became blood, and a third of the creatures[dg] living in the sea died, and a third of the ships were completely destroyed.[dh]

10 Then[di] the third angel blew his trumpet, and a huge star burning like a torch fell from the sky;[dj] it landed[dk] on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 (Now[dl] the name of the star is[dm] Wormwood.)[dn] So[do] a third of the waters became wormwood,[dp] and many people died from these waters because they were poisoned.[dq]

12 Then[dr] the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. And there was no light for a third of the day[ds] and for a third of the night likewise. 13 Then[dt] I looked, and I heard an[du] eagle[dv] flying directly overhead,[dw] proclaiming with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who live on the earth because of the remaining sounds of the trumpets of the three angels who are about to blow them!”[dx]

Then[dy] the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky[dz] to the earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the abyss.[ea] He[eb] opened the shaft of the abyss and smoke rose out of it[ec] like smoke from a giant furnace. The[ed] sun and the air were darkened with smoke from the shaft. Then[ee] out of the smoke came locusts onto the earth, and they were given power[ef] like that of the scorpions of the earth. They[eg] were told[eh] not to damage the grass of the earth, or any green plant or tree, but only those people[ei] who did not have the seal of God on their[ej] forehead. The locusts[ek] were not given permission[el] to kill[em] them, but only to torture[en] them[eo] for five months, and their torture was like that[ep] of a scorpion when it stings a person.[eq] In[er] those days people[es] will seek death, but[et] will not be able to[eu] find it; they will long to die, but death will flee from them.

Now[ev] the locusts looked like horses equipped for battle. On[ew] their heads were something like crowns similar to gold,[ex] and their faces looked like men’s[ey] faces. They[ez] had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. They had breastplates[fa] like iron breastplates, and the sound of their wings was like the noise of many horse-drawn chariots charging into battle. 10 They have[fb] tails and stingers like scorpions, and their ability[fc] to injure people for five months is in their tails. 11 They have as king over them the angel of the abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.[fd]

12 The first woe has passed, but[fe] two woes are still coming after these things!

13 Then[ff] the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a single voice coming from the[fg] horns on the golden altar that is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel, the one holding[fh] the trumpet, “Set free[fi] the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!” 15 Then[fj] the four angels who had been prepared for this[fk] hour, day,[fl] month, and year were set free to kill[fm] a third of humanity. 16 The[fn] number of soldiers on horseback was 200,000,000;[fo] I heard their number. 17 Now[fp] this is what the horses and their riders[fq] looked like in my[fr] vision: The riders had breastplates that were fiery red,[fs] dark blue,[ft] and sulfurous[fu] yellow in color.[fv] The[fw] heads of the horses looked like lions’ heads, and fire, smoke, and sulfur[fx] came out of their mouths. 18 A third of humanity was killed by these three plagues, that is,[fy] by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19 For the power[fz] of the horses resides[ga] in their mouths and in their tails, because their tails are like snakes, having heads that inflict injuries. 20 The rest of humanity, who had not been killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so that they did not stop worshiping demons and idols made[gb] of gold, silver,[gc] bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk about. 21 Furthermore,[gd] they did not repent of their murders, of their magic spells,[ge] of their sexual immorality, or of their stealing.

The Angel with the Little Scroll

10 Then[gf] I saw another powerful angel descending from heaven, wrapped[gg] in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun and his legs were like pillars of fire.[gh] He held[gi] in his hand a little scroll that was open, and he put his right foot on the sea and his left on the land. Then[gj] he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. When the seven thunders spoke, I was preparing to write, but[gk] just then[gl] I heard a voice from heaven say, “Seal up what the seven thunders spoke and do not write it down.” Then[gm] the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by the one who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, and the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, “There will be no more delay![gn] But in the days[go] when the seventh angel is about to blow his trumpet, the mystery of God is completed,[gp] just as he has[gq] proclaimed to his servants[gr] the prophets.” Then[gs] the voice I had heard from heaven began to speak[gt] to me[gu] again,[gv] “Go and take the open[gw] scroll in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land.” So[gx] I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He[gy] said to me, “Take the scroll[gz] and eat it. It[ha] will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.” 10 So[hb] I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it did taste[hc] as sweet as honey in my mouth, but[hd] when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. 11 Then[he] they[hf] told me: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations,[hg] languages, and kings.”

The Fate of the Two Witnesses

11 Then[hh] a measuring rod[hi] like a staff was given to me, and I was told,[hj] “Get up and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the ones who worship there. But[hk] do not measure the outer courtyard[hl] of the temple; leave it out,[hm] because it has been given to the Gentiles,[hn] and they will trample on the holy city[ho] for forty-two months. And I will grant my two witnesses authority[hp] to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.” (These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.)[hq] If[hr] anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths[hs] and completely consumes[ht] their enemies. If[hu] anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way. These two have the power[hv] to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the time[hw] they are prophesying. They[hx] have power[hy] to turn the waters to blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague whenever they want. When[hz] they have completed their testimony, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war on them and conquer[ia] them and kill them. Their[ib] corpses will lie in the street[ic] of the great city that is symbolically[id] called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified. For three and a half days those from every[ie] people, tribe,[if] nation, and language will look at their corpses, because they will not permit them to be placed in a tomb.[ig] 10 And those who live on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate, even sending gifts to each other, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11 But[ih] after three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and tremendous fear seized[ii] those who were watching them. 12 Then[ij] they[ik] heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: “Come up here!” So the two prophets[il] went up to heaven in a cloud while[im] their enemies stared at them. 13 Just then[in] a major earthquake took place and a tenth of the city collapsed; seven thousand people[io] were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe has come and gone;[ip] the third is coming quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 Then[iq] the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying:

“The kingdom of the world
has become the kingdom of our Lord
and of his Christ,[ir]
and he will reign for ever and ever.”

16 Then[is] the twenty-four elders who are seated on their thrones before God threw themselves down with their faces to the ground[it] and worshiped God 17 with these words:[iu]

“We give you thanks, Lord God, the All-Powerful,[iv]
the one who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and begun to reign.[iw]
18 The[ix] nations[iy] were enraged,
but[iz] your wrath has come,
and the time has come for the dead to be judged,
and the time has come to give to your servants,[ja]
the prophets, their reward,
as well as to the saints
and to those who revere[jb] your name, both small and great,
and the time has come[jc] to destroy those who destroy[jd] the earth.”

19 Then[je] the temple of God in heaven was opened and the ark of his covenant was visible within his temple. And there were flashes of lightning, roaring,[jf] crashes of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.[jg]

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 6:1 tn Grk “saying like a voice [or sound] of thunder.”
  2. Revelation 6:1 tc The addition of “and see” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) to “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1, 3-5, 7 is a gloss directed to John, i.e., “come and look at the seals and the horsemen!” But the command ἔρχου is better interpreted as directed to each of the horsemen. The shorter reading also has the support of the better witnesses.
  3. Revelation 6:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of hearing the voice summon the first rider.
  4. Revelation 6:2 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support (א A C P 1611) and its omission seems to come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) as mentioned in the text-critical note on 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
  5. Revelation 6:2 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  6. Revelation 6:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  7. Revelation 6:2 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”sn The one who rode it. The identity of the first rider on the white horse has been discussed at great length by interpreters. Several answers are given: (1) A number understand the rider on the white horse to be Christ himself, identifying this horse and rider with the one mentioned in 19:11, where the identification is clear (cf. 19:13, 16). It must be noted, though, that there is little in common between the two riders beyond the white horse. The word for “crown” is different, the armament is different, and the context here is different (conquest vs. retribution), with three other horsemen bringing catastrophe following. (2) Others see the rider on the white horse representing a spirit of military conquest that dominates human history and leads to the catastrophes that follow. (3) Another possibility is that the white horse rider represents the Antichrist, who appears later in Rev 11:7; 13:17, and is similar to Christ in 19:11 in that they both ride a white horse. This interpretation has been discussed at length by M. Rissi, “The Rider on the White Horse: A Study of Revelation 6:1-8, ” Int 18 (1964): 407-18. This interpretation is the most probable one.
  8. Revelation 6:2 sn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11.
  9. Revelation 6:2 tn The participle νικῶν (nikōn) has been translated as substantival, the subject of the verb ἐξῆλθεν (exēlthen). Otherwise, as an adverbial participle of manner, it is somewhat redundant: “he rode out conquering and to conquer.”
  10. Revelation 6:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  11. Revelation 6:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity here and throughout the rest of the chapter.
  12. Revelation 6:4 tn L&N 79.31 states, “‘fiery red’ (probably with a tinge of yellow or orange).”
  13. Revelation 6:4 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
  14. Revelation 6:4 tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “it was given to him to take peace from the earth.”
  15. Revelation 6:4 tn BDAG 979 s.v. σφάζω states, “Of the killing of a person by violence…σφάζειν τινά butcher or murder someone (4 Km 10:7; Jer 52:10; Manetho: 609 fgm. 8, 76 Jac. [in Jos., C. Ap. 1, 76]; Demetr.[?]: 722 fgm. 7; Ar. 10, 9) 1J 3:12; Rv 6:4. Pass. (Hdt. 5, 5) 5:9; 6:9; 18:24.”
  16. Revelation 6:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  17. Revelation 6:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the third creature.
  18. Revelation 6:5 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support (א A C P 1611) and its omission seems to have come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
  19. Revelation 6:5 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  20. Revelation 6:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  21. Revelation 6:5 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
  22. Revelation 6:5 sn A balance scale would have been a rod held by a rope in the middle with pans attached to both ends for measuring.
  23. Revelation 6:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  24. Revelation 6:6 tn BDAG 1086 s.v. χοῖνιξ states, “a dry measure, oft. used for grain, approximately equivalent to one quart or one liter, quart. A χ.of grain was a daily ration for one pers.…Rv 6:6ab.”
  25. Revelation 6:6 tn Grk “a quart of wheat for a denarius.” A denarius was one day’s pay for an average worker. The words “will cost” are used to indicate the genitive of price or value; otherwise the English reader could understand the phrase to mean “a quart of wheat to be given as a day’s pay.”
  26. Revelation 6:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  27. Revelation 6:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  28. Revelation 6:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the summons by the fourth creature.
  29. Revelation 6:8 tc The reading “and I looked” (καὶ εἶδον, kai eidon) or some slight variation (e.g., ἶδον, idon) has excellent ms support (א A C P 1611) and its omission seems to have come through the mss that have already placed “and look” (καὶ ἴδε or καὶ βλέπε [kai ide or kai blepe]) after the verb “come” (ἔρχου, erchou) in 6:1. Thus, for these copyists it was redundant to add “and I looked” again.
  30. Revelation 6:8 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  31. Revelation 6:8 tn A sickly pallor, when referring to persons, or the green color of plants. BDAG 1085 s.v. χλωρός 2 states, “pale, greenish gray…as the color of a pers. in sickness contrasted with appearance in health…so the horse ridden by Death…ἵππος χλωρός Rv 6:8.” Because the color of the horse is symbolic, “pale green” is used in the translation. Cf. NIV, NCV “pale”; NASB “ashen.”
  32. Revelation 6:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  33. Revelation 6:8 tn Grk “the one sitting on it.”
  34. Revelation 6:8 tn Grk “And Hades was following with him.” The Greek expression μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ (met’ autou, “with him”) is Semitic and indicates close proximity. The translation “followed right behind” reflects this.
  35. Revelation 6:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  36. Revelation 6:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  37. Revelation 6:8 tn Grk “with death.” θάνατος (thanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
  38. Revelation 6:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new and somewhat different topic after the introduction of the four riders.
  39. Revelation 6:9 tn Or “murdered.” See the note on the word “butcher” in 6:4.
  40. Revelation 6:10 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  41. Revelation 6:10 tn Grk “voice, saying”; the participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated here.
  42. Revelation 6:10 tn The expression ἕως πότε (eōs pote) was translated “how long.” Cf. BDAG 423 s.v. ἕως 1.b.γ.
  43. Revelation 6:10 tn The Greek term here is δεσπότης (despotēs; see L&N 37.63).
  44. Revelation 6:11 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  45. Revelation 6:11 tn Grk “until they had been completed.” The idea of a certain “number” of people is implied by the subject of πληρωθῶσιν (plērōthōsin).
  46. Revelation 6:11 tn Though σύνδουλος (sundoulos) has been translated “fellow servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  47. Revelation 6:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  48. Revelation 6:12 tn Or “powerful”; Grk “a great.”
  49. Revelation 6:12 tn Or “like hairy sackcloth” (L&N 8.13).
  50. Revelation 6:12 tn Grk “like blood,” understanding αἷμα (aima) as a blood-red color rather than actual blood (L&N 8.64).
  51. Revelation 6:13 tn Or “in heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). The genitive τοῦ οὐρανοῦ (tou ouranou) is taken as a genitive of place.
  52. Revelation 6:13 tn Grk “throws [off]”; the indicative verb has been translated as a participle due to English style.
  53. Revelation 6:13 tn L&N 3.37 states, “a fig produced late in the summer season (and often falling off before it ripens)—‘late fig.’ ὡς συκὴ βάλλει τοὺς ὀλύνθους αὐτῆς ὑπὸ ἀνέμου μεγάλου σειομένη ‘as the fig tree sheds its late figs when shaken by a great wind’ Re 6:13. In the only context in which ὄλυνθος occurs in the NT (Re 6:13), one may employ an expression such as ‘unripe fig’ or ‘fig which ripens late.’”
  54. Revelation 6:13 tn Grk “great wind.”
  55. Revelation 6:14 tn Or “The heavens were.” The Greek word οὐρανός (ouranos) can mean either “heaven” or “sky.”
  56. Revelation 6:14 tn BDAG 125 s.v. ἀποχωρίζω states, “ὁ οὐρανὸς ἀπεχωρίσθη the sky was split Rv 6:14.” Although L&N 79.120 gives the meaning “the sky disappeared like a rolled-up scroll” here, a scroll that is rolled up does not “disappear,” and such a translation could be difficult for modern readers to understand.
  57. Revelation 6:14 tn On this term BDAG 317 s.v. ἑλίσσω states, “ὡς βιβλίον ἑλισσόμενον like a scroll that is rolled up…Rv 6:14.”
  58. Revelation 6:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  59. Revelation 6:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated; nor is it translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  60. Revelation 6:15 tn Grk “chiliarchs.” A chiliarch was normally a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
  61. Revelation 6:15 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  62. Revelation 6:16 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  63. Revelation 6:16 tn It is difficult to say where this quotation ends. The translation ends it after “withstand it” at the end of v. 17, but it is possible that it should end here, after “Lamb” at the end of v. 16. If it ends after “Lamb,” v. 17 is a parenthetical explanation by the author.
  64. Revelation 6:17 tc Most mss (A M bo) change the pronoun “their” to “his” (αὐτοῦ, autou) in order to bring the text in line with the mention of the one seated on the throne in the immediately preceding verse, and to remove the ambiguity about whose wrath is in view here. The reading αὐτῶν (autōn, “their”) is well supported by א C 1611 1854 2053 2329 2344 latt sy. On both internal and external grounds, it should be regarded as autographic.
  65. Revelation 6:17 tn The translation “to withstand (it)” for ἵστημι (histēmi) is based on the imagery of holding one’s ground in a military campaign or an attack (BDAG 482 s.v. B.4).
  66. Revelation 7:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  67. Revelation 7:2 tn Grk “from the rising of the sun.” BDAG 74 s.v. ἀνατολή 2.a takes this as a geographical direction: “ἀπὸ ἀ. ἡλίουfrom the east Rv 7:2; 16:12…simply ἀπὸ ἀ.…21:13.”
  68. Revelation 7:2 tn Grk “having,” but v. 3 makes it clear that the angel’s purpose is to seal others with the seal he carries.
  69. Revelation 7:2 tn Or “signet” (L&N 6.54).
  70. Revelation 7:2 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  71. Revelation 7:2 tn The word “permission” is implied; Grk “to whom it was given to them to damage the earth.”
  72. Revelation 7:2 tn Grk “saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  73. Revelation 7:3 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  74. Revelation 7:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of new but related material.
  75. Revelation 7:4 tn Grk “who were sealed.”
  76. Revelation 7:4 tn Normally, “every,” but since 144,000 is the total number, “all” is clearer here.
  77. Revelation 7:4 tn Grk “the sons of Israel,” normally an idiom for the Israelites as an ethnic entity (L&N 11.58). However, many scholars understand the expression in this context to refer to Christians rather than ethnic Israelites.
  78. Revelation 7:9 tn The phrase “and here was” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  79. Revelation 7:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated before each of the following categories, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  80. Revelation 7:10 tn The dative here has been translated as a dative of possession.
  81. Revelation 7:11 tn The verb is pluperfect, but the force is simple past. See ExSyn 586.
  82. Revelation 7:11 tn Grk “they fell down on their faces.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  83. Revelation 7:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  84. Revelation 7:13 tn Grk “spoke” or “declared to,” but in the context “asked” reads more naturally in English.
  85. Revelation 7:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the previous question.
  86. Revelation 7:14 tn Though the expression “the answer” is not in the Greek text, it is clearly implied. Direct objects in Greek were frequently omitted when clear from the context.
  87. Revelation 7:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  88. Revelation 7:14 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  89. Revelation 7:15 tn Or “worship.” The word here is λατρεύω (latreuō).
  90. Revelation 7:15 tn Grk “will spread his tent over them,” normally an idiom for taking up residence with someone, but when combined with the preposition ἐπί (epi, “over”) the idea is one of extending protection or shelter (BDAG 929 s.v. σκηνόω).
  91. Revelation 7:16 tn An allusion to Isa 49:10. The phrase “burning heat” is one word in Greek (καῦμα, kauma) that refers to a burning, intensely-felt heat. See BDAG 536 s.v.
  92. Revelation 7:17 sn An allusion to Isa 25:8.
  93. Revelation 8:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the resumption of the topic of the seals.
  94. Revelation 8:1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the Lamb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  95. Revelation 8:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  96. Revelation 8:3 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  97. Revelation 8:3 tn Grk “having.”
  98. Revelation 8:3 sn A golden censer was a bowl in which incense was burned. The imagery suggests the OT role of the priest.
  99. Revelation 8:3 tn The verb “to station” was used to translate ἑστάθη (hestathē) because it connotes the idea of purposeful arrangement in English, which seems to be the idea in the Greek.
  100. Revelation 8:3 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  101. Revelation 8:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  102. Revelation 8:4 tn The expression τῶν θυμιαμάτων (tōn thumiamatōn) is taken as a “genitive of producer,” i.e., the noun in the genitive produces the head noun.
  103. Revelation 8:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  104. Revelation 8:5 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
  105. Revelation 8:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  106. Revelation 8:6 tn Grk “having.”
  107. Revelation 8:7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  108. Revelation 8:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so that” because what follows has the logical force of a result clause.
  109. Revelation 8:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  110. Revelation 8:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  111. Revelation 8:9 tn Or “a third of the living creatures in the sea”; Grk “the third of the creatures which were in the sea, the ones having life.”
  112. Revelation 8:9 tn On the term translated “completely destroyed,” L&N 20.40 states, “to cause the complete destruction of someone or something—‘to destroy utterly.’ τὸ τρίτον τῶν πλοίων διεφθάρησαν ‘a third of the ships were completely destroyed’ Re 8:9.”
  113. Revelation 8:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  114. Revelation 8:10 tn Or “from heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
  115. Revelation 8:10 tn Grk “fell.”
  116. Revelation 8:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” in keeping with the parenthetical nature of this remark.
  117. Revelation 8:11 tn Grk “is called,” but this is somewhat redundant in contemporary English.
  118. Revelation 8:11 sn Wormwood refers to a particularly bitter herb with medicinal value. According to L&N 3.21, “The English term wormwood is derived from the use of the plant as a medicine to kill intestinal worms.” This remark about the star’s name is parenthetical in nature.
  119. Revelation 8:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the star falling on the waters.
  120. Revelation 8:11 tn That is, terribly bitter (see the note on “Wormwood” earlier in this verse).
  121. Revelation 8:11 tn Grk “and many of the men died from these waters because they were bitter.”
  122. Revelation 8:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  123. Revelation 8:12 tn Grk “the day did not shine [with respect to] the third of it.”
  124. Revelation 8:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  125. Revelation 8:13 tn Grk “one eagle.”
  126. Revelation 8:13 tc MA reads “angel” (ἀγγέλου, angelou) instead of “eagle” (ἀετοῦ, aetou), a reading strongly supported by א A 046 MK and several versions. On external grounds, ἀετοῦ is clearly the superior reading. ἀγγέλου could have arisen inadvertently due to similarities in spelling or sound between ἀετοῦ and ἀγγέλου. It may also have been intentional in order to bring this statement in line with 14:6 where an angel is mentioned as the one flying in midair. This seems a more likely reason, strengthened by the facts that the book only mentions eagles two other times (4:7; 12:14). Further, the immediate as well as broad context is replete with references to angels.
  127. Revelation 8:13 tn Concerning the word μεσουράνημα (mesouranēma), L&N 1.10 states, “a point or region of the sky directly above the earth—‘high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.’ εἶδον, καὶ ἤκουσα ἑνὸς ἁετοῦ πετομένου ἐν μεσουρανήματι ‘I looked, and I heard an eagle that was flying overhead in the sky’ Re 8:13.”
  128. Revelation 8:13 tn Grk “about to sound their trumpets,” but this is redundant in English.
  129. Revelation 9:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  130. Revelation 9:1 tn Or “from heaven” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”).
  131. Revelation 9:1 tn On this term BDAG 2 s.v. ἄβυσσος 2 states, “netherworld, abyss, esp. the abode of the dead Ro 10:7 (Ps 106:26) and of demons Lk 8:31; dungeon where the devil is kept Rv 20:3; abode of the θηρίον, the Antichrist 11:7; 17:8; of ᾿Αβαδδών (q.v.), the angel of the underworld 9:11φρέαρ τῆς ἀ. 9:1f; capable of being sealed 9:1; 20:1, 3.”
  132. Revelation 9:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  133. Revelation 9:2 tn Grk “the shaft,” but since this would be somewhat redundant in English, the pronoun “it” is used here.
  134. Revelation 9:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  135. Revelation 9:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  136. Revelation 9:3 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
  137. Revelation 9:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  138. Revelation 9:4 tn The dative indirect object (αὐταῖς, autais) was converted into the subject (“they”) as this more closely approximates English usage. The following ἵ῞να (hina) is taken as substantival, introducing a direct object clause. In this case, because it is reported speech, the ἵνα is similar to the declarative ὅτι (hoti).
  139. Revelation 9:4 tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
  140. Revelation 9:4 tn The article τῶν (tōn) has been translated as a possessive pronoun here (ExSyn 215).
  141. Revelation 9:5 tn Grk “It was not permitted to them”; the referent (the locusts) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  142. Revelation 9:5 tn The word “permission” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
  143. Revelation 9:5 tn The two ἵνα (hina) clauses of 9:5 are understood to be functioning as epexegetical or complementary clauses related to ἐδόθη (edothē).
  144. Revelation 9:5 tn On this term BDAG 168 s.v. βασανισμός states, “1. infliction of severe suffering or pain associated with torture or torment, tormenting, torture Rv 9:5b.—2. the severe pain experienced through torture, torment vs. 5a; 14:11; 18:10, 15; (w. πένθος) vs. 7.”
  145. Revelation 9:5 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text but is picked up from the previous clause.
  146. Revelation 9:5 tn Grk “like the torture,” but this is redundant in contemporary English.
  147. Revelation 9:5 tn Grk “a man”; but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used here in an individualized sense without being limited to the male gender.
  148. Revelation 9:6 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  149. Revelation 9:6 tn Grk “men”; but ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used in a generic sense here of both men and women.
  150. Revelation 9:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  151. Revelation 9:6 tn The phrase “not be able to” was used in the translation to emphasize the strong negation (οὐ μή, ou mē) in the Greek text.
  152. Revelation 9:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the locusts, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
  153. Revelation 9:7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  154. Revelation 9:7 tn The translation attempts to bring out the double uncertainty in this clause in the Greek text, involving both the form (ὡς στέφανοι, hōs stephanoi, “like crowns”) and the material (ὅμοιοι χρυσῷ, homoioi chrusō, “similar to gold”).
  155. Revelation 9:7 tn Or “human faces.” The Greek term ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is often used in a generic sense, referring to both men and women. However, because “women’s hair” in the next clause suggests a possible gender distinction here, “men’s” was retained.
  156. Revelation 9:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  157. Revelation 9:9 tn Or perhaps, “scales like iron breastplates” (RSV, NRSV) although the Greek term θώραξ (thōrax) would have to shift its meaning within the clause, and elsewhere in biblical usage (e.g., Eph 6:14; 1 Thess 5:8) it normally means “breastplate.” See also L&N 8.38.
  158. Revelation 9:10 tn In the Greek text there is a shift to the present tense here; the previous verbs translated “had” are imperfects.
  159. Revelation 9:10 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
  160. Revelation 9:11 sn Both the Hebrew Abaddon and the Greek Apollyon mean “Destroyer.”
  161. Revelation 9:12 tn Grk “behold.” Here ἰδού (idou) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in the context.
  162. Revelation 9:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  163. Revelation 9:13 tc ‡ Several key mss (P47 א1 A 0207 1611 2053 2344 lat syh co) lack the word τεσσάρων (tessarōn, “four”) before κεράτων (keratōn, “horns”). The word seems to have been added by scribes because a “horned” altar (described in the OT [Exod 30:2, 10]) could have only four “horns” or projections at the corners. NA28 includes the word in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.
  164. Revelation 9:14 tn Grk “having.”
  165. Revelation 9:14 tn On λῦσον (luson) BDAG 606-7 s.v. λύω 2 states, “set free, loose, untie—a. lit. a pers., animal, or thing that is bound or tied…Angels that are bound Rv 9:14f.”
  166. Revelation 9:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  167. Revelation 9:15 tn The Greek article τήν (tēn) has been translated with demonstrative force here.
  168. Revelation 9:15 tn The Greek term καί (kai) has not been translated here and before the following term “month” since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  169. Revelation 9:15 tn Grk “so that they might kill,” but the English infinitive is an equivalent construction to indicate purpose here.
  170. Revelation 9:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  171. Revelation 9:16 tn Grk “twenty thousand of ten thousands.”
  172. Revelation 9:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of the description of the horses and riders, which is somewhat parenthetical in the narrative.
  173. Revelation 9:17 tn Grk “and those seated on them.”
  174. Revelation 9:17 tn Grk “the vision”; the Greek article has been translated as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  175. Revelation 9:17 tn L&N 79.33 states, “‘fiery red’…. One may also render ‘fiery red’ as ‘red like fire’ or ‘the color of fire.’”
  176. Revelation 9:17 tn On this term BDAG 1022 s.v. ὑακίνθινος states, “hyacinth-colored, i.e., dark blue (dark red?) w. πύρινος Rv 9:17.”
  177. Revelation 9:17 tn On this term BDAG 446 s.v. θειώδης states, “sulphurous Rv 9:17.”
  178. Revelation 9:17 sn The colors of the riders’ breastplates parallel the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur in v. 18.
  179. Revelation 9:17 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  180. Revelation 9:17 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  181. Revelation 9:18 tn The phrase ἐκ τοῦ πυρὸς καὶ τοῦ καπνοῦ καὶ τοῦ θείου τοῦ ἐκπορευομένου ἐκ τῶν στομάτων αὐτῶν (“by the fire, the smoke, and the sulfur that came out of their mouths”) is taken as epexegetical (explanatory) to the phrase τῶν τριῶν πληγῶν τούτων (“these three plagues”).
  182. Revelation 9:19 tn See BDAG 352 s.v. ἐξουσία 2, “potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power.”
  183. Revelation 9:19 tn Grk “is.”
  184. Revelation 9:20 tn The word “made” is not in the Greek text but is implied.
  185. Revelation 9:20 tn The Greek conjunction καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following materials in this list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  186. Revelation 9:21 tn Grk “and.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation, with “furthermore” used to indicate a continuation of the preceding.
  187. Revelation 9:21 tn On the term φαρμακεία (pharmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people—‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
  188. Revelation 10:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  189. Revelation 10:1 tn Or “clothed.”
  190. Revelation 10:1 tn Or “like fiery pillars,” translating πυρός (puros) as an attributive genitive.
  191. Revelation 10:2 tn Grk “and having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “he.”
  192. Revelation 10:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  193. Revelation 10:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  194. Revelation 10:4 tn The words “just then” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
  195. Revelation 10:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  196. Revelation 10:6 tn On this phrase see BDAG 1092 s.v. χρόνος.
  197. Revelation 10:7 tn Grk “But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel.”
  198. Revelation 10:7 tn The aorist ἐτελέσθη (etelesthē) has been translated as a proleptic (futuristic) aorist (ExSyn 564 cites this verse as an example).
  199. Revelation 10:7 tn The time of the action described by the aorist εὐηγγέλισεν (euēngelisen) seems to be past with respect to the aorist passive ἐτελέσθη (etelesthē). This does not require that the prophets in view here be OT prophets. They may actually refer to the martyrs in the church (so G. B. Caird, Revelation [HNTC], 129).
  200. Revelation 10:7 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  201. Revelation 10:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  202. Revelation 10:8 tn The participle λαλοῦσαν (lalousan) has been translated as “began to speak.” The use of πάλιν (palin) indicates an ingressive idea.
  203. Revelation 10:8 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (metemou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.”
  204. Revelation 10:8 tn Grk “again, saying.” The participle λέγουσαν (legousan) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  205. Revelation 10:8 tn The perfect passive participle ἠνεῳγμένον (ēneōgmenon) is in second attributive position and has been translated as an attributive adjective.
  206. Revelation 10:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the instructions given by the voice.
  207. Revelation 10:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  208. Revelation 10:9 tn The words “the scroll” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  209. Revelation 10:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  210. Revelation 10:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the instructions given by the angel.
  211. Revelation 10:10 tn Grk “it was.” The idea of taste is implied.
  212. Revelation 10:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  213. Revelation 10:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  214. Revelation 10:11 tn The referent of “they” is not clear in the Greek text.
  215. Revelation 10:11 tn Grk “and nations,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the next item since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  216. Revelation 11:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  217. Revelation 11:1 tn Grk “a reed” (but these were used for measuring). Cf. Ezek 40:3ff.
  218. Revelation 11:1 tn Grk “saying.”
  219. Revelation 11:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  220. Revelation 11:2 tn On the term αὐλήν (aulēn) BDAG 150 s.v. αὐλή 1 states, “(outer) court of the temple…Rv 11:2.”
  221. Revelation 11:2 tn The precise meaning of the phrase ἔκβαλε ἔξωθεν (ekbale exōthen) is difficult to determine.
  222. Revelation 11:2 tn Or “to the nations” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  223. Revelation 11:2 sn The holy city appears to be a reference to Jerusalem. See also Luke 21:24.
  224. Revelation 11:3 tn The word “authority” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. “Power” would be another alternative that could be supplied here.
  225. Revelation 11:4 sn This description is parenthetical in nature.
  226. Revelation 11:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  227. Revelation 11:5 tn This is a collective singular in Greek.
  228. Revelation 11:5 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesthiō) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
  229. Revelation 11:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  230. Revelation 11:6 tn Or “authority.”
  231. Revelation 11:6 tn Grk “the days.”
  232. Revelation 11:6 tn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  233. Revelation 11:6 tn Or “authority.”
  234. Revelation 11:7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  235. Revelation 11:7 tn Or “be victorious over”; traditionally, “overcome.”
  236. Revelation 11:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  237. Revelation 11:8 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
  238. Revelation 11:8 tn Grk “spiritually.”
  239. Revelation 11:9 tn The word “every” is not in the Greek text, but is implied by the following list.
  240. Revelation 11:9 tn The Greek term καί (kai) has not been translated before this and the following items in the list, since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  241. Revelation 11:9 tn Or “to be buried.”
  242. Revelation 11:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  243. Revelation 11:11 tn Grk “fell upon.”
  244. Revelation 11:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  245. Revelation 11:12 tn Though the nearest antecedent to the subject of ἤκουσαν (ēkousan) is the people (“those who were watching them”), it could also be (based on what immediately follows) that the two prophets are the ones who heard the voice.
  246. Revelation 11:12 tn Grk “they”; the referent (the two prophets) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  247. Revelation 11:12 tn The conjunction καί (kai) seems to be introducing a temporal clause contemporaneous in time with the preceding clause.
  248. Revelation 11:13 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  249. Revelation 11:13 tn Grk “seven thousand names of men.”
  250. Revelation 11:14 tn Grk “has passed.”
  251. Revelation 11:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  252. Revelation 11:15 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
  253. Revelation 11:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  254. Revelation 11:16 tn Grk “they fell down on their faces.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  255. Revelation 11:17 tn Grk “saying.”
  256. Revelation 11:17 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…() κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
  257. Revelation 11:17 tn The aorist verb ἐβασίλευσας (ebasileusas) has been translated ingressively.
  258. Revelation 11:18 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  259. Revelation 11:18 tn Or “The Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  260. Revelation 11:18 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  261. Revelation 11:18 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  262. Revelation 11:18 tn Grk “who fear.”
  263. Revelation 11:18 tn The words “the time has come” do not occur except at the beginning of the verse; the phrase has been repeated for emphasis and contrast. The Greek has one finite verb (“has come”) with a compound subject (“your wrath,” “the time”), followed by three infinitive clauses (“to be judged,” “to give,” “to destroy”). The rhetorical power of the repetition of the finite verb in English thus emulates the rhetorical power of its lone instance in Greek.
  264. Revelation 11:18 tn Or “who deprave.” There is a possible wordplay here on two meanings for διαφθείρω (diaphtheirō), with the first meaning “destroy” and the second meaning either “to ruin” or “to make morally corrupt.” See L&N 20.40.
  265. Revelation 11:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  266. Revelation 11:19 tn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).”
  267. Revelation 11:19 tn Although BDAG 1075 s.v. χάλαζα gives the meaning “hail” here, it is not clear whether the adjective μεγάλη (megalē) refers to the intensity of the storm or the size of the individual hailstones, or both.