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Revelation 6-14
New English Translation

The Seven Seals

6 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] 2 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.

3 Then[j] when the Lamb[k] opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come!” 4 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.

5 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. 6 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!”

7 Then[aa] when the Lamb opened the fourth seal I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come!” 8 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.

9 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

7 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. 2 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] 3 “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.” 4 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]

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

9 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

8 Now[co] when the Lamb[cp] opened the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then[cq] I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 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. 4 The[cw] smoke coming from the incense,[cx] along with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 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.

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

7 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.

8 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, 9 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]

9 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] 2 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. 3 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. 4 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. 5 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] 6 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.

7 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. 8 They[ez] had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 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] 2 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. 3 Then[gj] he shouted in a loud voice like a lion roaring, and when he shouted, the seven thunders sounded their voices. 4 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.” 5 Then[gm] the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven 6 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] 7 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.” 8 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.” 9 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. 2 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. 3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority[hp] to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.” 4 (These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.)[hq] 5 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. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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]

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

12 Then[jh] a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars.[ji] 2 She[jj] was pregnant and was screaming in labor pains, struggling[jk] to give birth. 3 Then[jl] another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon that had seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadem crowns.[jm] 4 Now[jn] the dragon’s[jo] tail swept away a third of the stars in heaven and hurled them to the earth. Then[jp] the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 So[jq] the woman gave birth to a son, a male child,[jr] who is going to rule[js] over all the nations[jt] with an iron rod.[ju] Her[jv] child was suddenly caught up to God and to his throne, 6 and she[jw] fled into the wilderness[jx] where a place had been prepared for her[jy] by God, so she could be taken care of[jz] for 1,260 days.

War in Heaven

7 Then[ka] war broke out in heaven: Michael[kb] and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But[kc] the dragon was not strong enough to prevail,[kd] so there was no longer any place left[ke] in heaven for him and his angels.[kf] 9 So[kg] that huge dragon—the ancient serpent, the one called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world—was thrown down to the earth, and his angels along with him. 10 Then[kh] I heard a loud voice in heaven saying,

“The salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the ruling authority[ki] of his Christ,[kj] have now come,
because the accuser of our brothers and sisters,[kk]
the one who accuses them day and night[kl] before our God,
has been thrown down.
11 But[km] they overcame him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
and they did not love their lives[kn] so much that they were afraid to die.
12 Therefore you heavens rejoice, and all who reside in them!
But[ko] woe to the earth and the sea
because the devil has come down to you!
He[kp] is filled with terrible anger,
for he knows that he only has a little time!”

13 Now[kq] when the dragon realized[kr] that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But[ks] the woman was given the two wings of a giant eagle so that she could fly out into the wilderness,[kt] to the place God[ku] prepared for her, where she is taken care of—away from the presence of the serpent—for a time, times, and half a time.[kv] 15 Then[kw] the serpent spouted water like a river out of his mouth after the woman in an attempt to[kx] sweep her away by a flood, 16 but[ky] the earth came to her rescue;[kz] the ground opened up[la] and swallowed the river that the dragon had spewed from his mouth. 17 So[lb] the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children,[lc] those who keep[ld] God’s commandments and hold to[le] the testimony about Jesus.[lf] 18 And the dragon[lg] stood[lh] on the sand[li] of the seashore.[lj]

The Two Beasts

13 Then[lk] I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It[ll] had ten horns and seven heads, and on its horns were ten diadem crowns,[lm] and on its heads a blasphemous name.[ln] 2 Now[lo] the beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The[lp] dragon gave the beast[lq] his power, his throne, and great authority to rule.[lr] 3 One of the beast’s[ls] heads appeared to have been killed,[lt] but the lethal wound had been healed.[lu] And the whole world followed[lv] the beast in amazement; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority[lw] to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: “Who is like the beast?” and “Who is able to make war against him?”[lx] 5 The beast[ly] was given a mouth speaking proud words[lz] and blasphemies, and he was permitted[ma] to exercise ruling authority[mb] for forty-two months. 6 So[mc] the beast[md] opened his mouth to blaspheme against God—to blaspheme both his name and his dwelling place,[me] that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 The beast[mf] was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them.[mg] He was given ruling authority[mh] over every tribe, people,[mi] language, and nation, 8 and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast,[mj] everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world[mk] in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed.[ml] 9 If anyone has an ear, he had better listen!

10 If anyone is meant for captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed by the sword,[mm]
then by the sword he must be killed.

This[mn] requires steadfast endurance[mo] and faith from the saints.

11 Then[mp] I saw another beast[mq] coming up from the earth. He[mr] had two horns like a lamb,[ms] but[mt] was speaking like a dragon. 12 He[mu] exercised all the ruling authority[mv] of the first beast on his behalf,[mw] and made the earth and those who inhabit it worship the first beast, the one whose lethal wound had been healed. 13 He[mx] performed momentous signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people[my] 14 and, by the signs he was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, he deceived those who live on the earth. He told[mz] those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had been wounded by the sword, but still lived. 15 The second beast[na] was empowered[nb] to give life[nc] to the image of the first beast[nd] so that it could speak, and could cause all those who did not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He also caused[ne] everyone (small and great, rich and poor, free and slave[nf]) to obtain a mark on their right hand or on their forehead. 17 Thus no one was allowed to buy[ng] or sell things[nh] unless he bore[ni] the mark of the beast—that is, his name or his number.[nj] 18 This calls for wisdom:[nk] Let the one who has insight calculate the beast’s number, for it is man’s number,[nl] and his number is 666.[nm]

An Interlude: The Song of the 144,000

14 Then[nn] I looked, and here was[no] the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were 144,000, who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 I also heard a sound[np] coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now[nq] the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No[nr] one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves[ns] with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5 and no lie was found on their lips;[nt] they[nu] are blameless.

Three Angels and Three Messages

6 Then[nv] I saw another[nw] angel flying directly overhead,[nx] and he had[ny] an eternal gospel to proclaim[nz] to those who live[oa] on the earth—to every nation, tribe,[ob] language, and people. 7 He declared[oc] in a loud voice: “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!”

8 A[od] second[oe] angel[of] followed the first,[og] declaring:[oh] “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city![oi] She made all the nations[oj] drink of the wine of her immoral passion.”[ok]

9 A[ol] third angel[om] followed the first two,[on] declaring[oo] in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 10 that person[op] will also drink of the wine of God’s anger[oq] that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur[or] in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke from their[os] torture will go up[ot] forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have[ou] no rest day or night, along with[ov] anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 12 This requires[ow] the steadfast endurance[ox] of the saints—those who obey[oy] God’s commandments and hold to[oz] their faith in Jesus.[pa]

13 Then[pb] I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this:

‘Blessed are the dead,
those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work,[pc] because their deeds will follow them.”[pd]

14 Then[pe] I looked, and a white cloud appeared,[pf] and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man![pg] He had[ph] a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then[pi] another angel came out of the temple, shouting in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, “Use[pj] your sickle and start to reap,[pk] because the time to reap has come, since the earth’s harvest is ripe!” 16 So[pl] the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

17 Then[pm] another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 Another[pn] angel, who was in charge of[po] the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to the angel[pp] who had the sharp sickle, “Use[pq] your sharp sickle and gather[pr] the clusters of grapes[ps] off the vine of the earth,[pt] because its grapes[pu] are now ripe.”[pv] 19 So[pw] the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grapes from the vineyard[px] of the earth and tossed them into the great[py] winepress of the wrath of God. 20 Then[pz] the winepress was stomped[qa] outside the city, and blood poured out of the winepress up to the height of horses’ bridles[qb] for a distance of almost 200 miles.[qc]

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. ἡλίου…from 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 9:11…φρέαρ 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 (met’ emou, “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…(ὁ) 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.
  268. Revelation 12:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  269. Revelation 12:1 sn Sun…moon…stars. This imagery is frequently identified with the nation Israel because of Joseph’s dream in Gen 37.
  270. Revelation 12:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  271. Revelation 12:2 tn Grk “and being tortured,” though βασανίζω (basanizō) in this context refers to birth pangs. BDAG 168 s.v. 2.b states, “Of birth-pangs (Anth. Pal. 9, 311 βάσανος has this mng.) Rv 12:2.” The καί (kai) has not been translated.
  272. Revelation 12:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  273. Revelation 12:3 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadēma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
  274. Revelation 12:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate that this remark is virtually parenthetical.
  275. Revelation 12:4 tn Grk “its”; the referent (the dragon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  276. Revelation 12:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  277. Revelation 12:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the conclusion of the anticipated birth.
  278. Revelation 12:5 tn On this term BDAG 135 s.v. ἄρσην states: “male…The neut. ἄρσεν Rv 12:5, difft. vs. 13, comes fr. Is 66:7 and is in apposition to υἱόν. On the juxtaposition s. FBoll, ZNW 15, 1914, 253; BOlsson, Glotta 23, ’34, 112.”
  279. Revelation 12:5 tn Grk “shepherd.”
  280. Revelation 12:5 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  281. Revelation 12:5 tn Or “scepter.” The Greek term ῥάβδος (rhabdos) can mean either “rod” or “scepter.” sn An allusion to Ps 2:9 (see also Rev 2:27; 19:15).
  282. Revelation 12:5 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  283. Revelation 12:6 tn Grk “and the woman,” which would be somewhat redundant in English.
  284. Revelation 12:6 tn Or “desert.”
  285. Revelation 12:6 tn Grk “where she has there a place prepared by God.”
  286. Revelation 12:6 tn Grk “so they can take care of her.”
  287. Revelation 12:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  288. Revelation 12:7 sn The archangel Michael had a special role in protecting the nation of Israel in the OT (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; see also Jude 9).
  289. Revelation 12:8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the implied contrast.
  290. Revelation 12:8 tn The words “to prevail” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.
  291. Revelation 12:8 tn Grk “found.”
  292. Revelation 12:8 tn Grk “for them”; the referent (the dragon and his angels, v. 7) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  293. Revelation 12:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the war in heaven.
  294. Revelation 12:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  295. Revelation 12:10 tn Or “the right of his Messiah to rule.” See L&N 37.35.
  296. Revelation 12:10 tn Or “Messiah”; both “Christ” (Greek) and “Messiah” (Hebrew and Aramaic) mean “one who has been anointed.”
  297. Revelation 12:10 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). The translation “fellow believer” would normally apply (L&N 11.23), but since the speaker(s) are not specified in this context, it is not clear if such a translation would be appropriate here. The more generic “brothers and sisters” was chosen to emphasize the fact of a relationship without specifying its type.
  298. Revelation 12:10 tn Or “who accuses them continually.”
  299. Revelation 12:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast.
  300. Revelation 12:11 sn They did not love their lives. See Matt 16:25; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.
  301. Revelation 12:12 tn The word “But” is not in the Greek text, but the contrast is clearly implied. This is a case of asyndeton (lack of a connective).
  302. Revelation 12:12 tn Grk “and is filled,” a continuation of the previous sentence. Because English tends to use shorter sentences (especially when exclamations are involved), a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  303. Revelation 12:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” because the clause it introduces is clearly resumptive.
  304. Revelation 12:13 tn Grk “saw.”
  305. Revelation 12:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
  306. Revelation 12:14 tn Or “desert.”
  307. Revelation 12:14 tn The word “God” is supplied based on the previous statements made concerning “the place prepared for the woman” in 12:6.
  308. Revelation 12:14 tc The reading “and half a time” (καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ, kai hēmisu kairou) is lacking in the significant majuscule C. Its inclusion, however, is supported by P47 א A and the rest of the ms tradition. There is apparently no reason for the scribe of C to intentionally omit the phrase, and the fact that the word “time” (καιρὸν καὶ καιρούς, kairon kai kairous) appears twice before may indicate a scribal oversight.sn The parallel statement in Rev 12:6 suggests that the phrase a time, times, and half a time equals 1,260 days (three and a half years of 360 days each).
  309. Revelation 12:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  310. Revelation 12:15 tn Grk “so that he might make her swept away.”
  311. Revelation 12:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
  312. Revelation 12:16 tn Grk “the earth helped the woman.”
  313. Revelation 12:16 tn Grk “the earth opened its mouth” (a metaphor for the ground splitting open).
  314. Revelation 12:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the woman’s escape.
  315. Revelation 12:17 tn Grk “her seed” (an idiom for offspring, children, or descendants).
  316. Revelation 12:17 tn Or “who obey.”
  317. Revelation 12:17 tn Grk “and having.”
  318. Revelation 12:17 tn Grk “the testimony of Jesus,” which may involve a subjective genitive (“Jesus’ testimony”) or, more likely, an objective genitive (“testimony about Jesus”).
  319. Revelation 12:18 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the dragon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  320. Revelation 12:18 tc Grk ἐστάθη (estathē, “he stood”). The reading followed by the translation is attested by the better mss (P47 א A C 1854 2344 2351 lat syh) while the majority of mss (051 M vgmss syph co) have the reading ἐστάθην (estathēn, “I stood”). Thus, the majority of mss make the narrator, rather than the dragon of 12:17, the subject of the verb. The first person reading is most likely an assimilation to the following verb in 13:1, “I saw.” The reading “I stood” was introduced either by accident or to produce a smoother flow, giving the narrator a vantage point on the sea’s edge from which to observe the beast rising out of the sea in 13:1. But almost everywhere else in the book, the phrase καὶ εἶδον (kai eidon, “and I saw”) marks a transition to a new vision, without reference to the narrator’s activity. On both external and internal grounds, it is best to adopt the third person reading, “he stood.”
  321. Revelation 12:18 tn Or “sandy beach” (L&N 1.64).
  322. Revelation 12:18 sn The standard critical texts of the Greek NT, NA28 and UBS5, both include this sentence as 12:18, as do the RSV and NRSV. Other modern translations like the NASB and NIV include the sentence at the beginning of 13:1; in these versions chap. 12 has only 17 verses.
  323. Revelation 13:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  324. Revelation 13:1 tn Grk “having” (a continuation of the previous sentence). All of the pronouns referring to this beast (along with the second beast appearing in 13:11) could be translated as “it” because the word for beast (θηρίον, thērion) is neuter gender in Greek and all the pronouns related to it are parsed as neuter in the Gramcord/Accordance database. Nevertheless, most interpreters would agree that the beast ultimately represents a human ruler, so beginning at the end of v. 4 the masculine pronouns (“he,” “him,” etc.) are used to refer to the first beast as well as the second beast appearing in 13:11.
  325. Revelation 13:1 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadēma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
  326. Revelation 13:1 tc ‡ Several mss (A 051 1611 1854 2053 2344 2351 MK) read the plural ὀνόματα (onomata, “[blasphemous] names”), while the singular ὄνομα (onoma, “name”) has somewhat better support (P47 א C 1006 1841 2329 MA). The plural reading seems motivated by the fact that what is written is written “on its heads.” In the least, it is a clarifying reading. NA28 puts the plural in brackets, indicating doubts as to its authenticity.sn Whether this means a single name on all seven heads or seven names, one on each head, is not clear.
  327. Revelation 13:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the parenthetical nature of the following description of the beast.
  328. Revelation 13:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  329. Revelation 13:2 tn Grk “gave it”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  330. Revelation 13:2 tn For the translation “authority to rule” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
  331. Revelation 13:3 tn Grk “one of its heads”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  332. Revelation 13:3 tn Grk “killed to death,” an expression emphatic in its redundancy. The phrase behind this translation is ὡς ἐσφαγμένον (hōs esphagmenon). The particle ὡς is used in Greek generally for comparison, and in Revelation it is used often to describe the appearance of what the author saw. In this instance, the appearance of the beast’s head did not match reality, because the next phrase shows that in fact it did not die. This text does not affirm that the beast died and was resurrected, but some draw this conclusion because of the only other use of the phrase, which refers to Jesus in 5:6.
  333. Revelation 13:3 tn The phrase τοῦ θανάτου (tou thanatou) can be translated as an attributive genitive (“deathly wound”) or an objective genitive (the wound which caused death) and the final αὐτοῦ (autou) is either possessive or reference/respect.
  334. Revelation 13:3 tn On the phrase “the whole world followed the beast in amazement,” BDAG 445 s.v. θαυμάζω 2 states, “wonder, be amazed…Rv 17:8. In pregnant constr. ἐθαυμάσθη ὅλη ἡ γῆ ὀπίσω τ. θηρίου the whole world followed the beast, full of wonder 13:3 (here wonder becomes worship: cp. Ael. Aristid. 13 p. 290 D.; 39 p. 747 of Dionysus and Heracles, οἳ ὑφ᾿ ἡμῶν ἐθαυμάσθησαν. Sir 7:29; Jos., Ant. 3, 65.—The act. is also found in this sense: Cebes 2, 3 θ. τινά = ‘admire’ or ‘venerate’ someone; Epict. 1, 17, 19 θ. τὸν θεόν).”
  335. Revelation 13:4 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
  336. Revelation 13:4 tn On the use of the masculine pronoun to refer to the beast, see the note on the word “It” in 13:1.
  337. Revelation 13:5 tn Grk “and there was given to him.” Here the passive construction has been simplified, the referent (the beast) has been specified for clarity, and καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  338. Revelation 13:5 tn For the translation “proud words” (Grk “great things” or “important things”) see BDAG 624 s.v. μέγας 4.b.
  339. Revelation 13:5 tn Grk “to it was granted.”
  340. Revelation 13:5 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
  341. Revelation 13:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the permission granted to the beast.
  342. Revelation 13:6 tn Grk “he” (or “it”); the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  343. Revelation 13:6 tc The reading “and his dwelling place” does not occur in codex C, but its omission is probably due to scribal oversight since the phrase has the same ending as the phrase before it, i.e., they both end in “his” (αὐτοῦ, autou). This is similar to the mistake this scribe made in 12:14 with the omission of the reading “and half a time” (καὶ ἥμισυ καιροῦ, kai hēmisu kairou).
  344. Revelation 13:7 tn Grk “and it was given to him to go to war.” Here the passive construction has been simplified, the referent (the beast) has been specified for clarity, and καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  345. Revelation 13:7 tc Many mss omit the phrase “it was given to make war with the saints and to overcome them” (P47 A C 2053 MA sa). It is, however, found in P115vid א 051 1006 (1611) 1841 (1854) 2329 2344 2351 (MK) lat syph,(h) bo. Although the ms evidence is somewhat in favor of the shorter reading, the support of P115 (a recently-discovered ms) for the longer reading balances things out. Normally, the shorter reading should be given preference. However, in an instance in which homoioteleuton could play a role, caution must be exercised. In this passage, accidental omission is quite likely. That this could have happened seems apparent from the two occurrences of the identical phrase “and it was given to him” (καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ, kai edothē autō) in v. 7. The scribe’s eye skipped over the first καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ and went to the second, hence creating an accidental omission of eleven words.
  346. Revelation 13:7 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
  347. Revelation 13:7 tn Grk “and people,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  348. Revelation 13:8 tn Grk “it”; the referent (the beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  349. Revelation 13:8 tn The prepositional phrase “since the foundation of the world” is traditionally translated as a modifier of the immediately preceding phrase in the Greek text, “the Lamb who was killed” (so also G. B. Caird, Revelation [HNTC], 168), but it is more likely that the phrase “since the foundation of the world” modifies the verb “written” (as translated above). Confirmation of this can be found in Rev 17:8 where the phrase “written in the book of life since the foundation of the world” occurs with no ambiguity.
  350. Revelation 13:8 tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.”
  351. Revelation 13:10 tc Many mss (C 051* 2351 MA) read “if anyone will kill with the sword, it is necessary for him to be killed with the sword” (εἴ τις ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτενεῖ, δεῖ αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι). Other mss (א 1006 1611* 1854 al) are similar except that they read a present tense “kills” (ἀποκτείνει, apokteinei) in this sentence. Both of these variants may be regarded as essentially saying the same thing. On the other hand, codex A reads “if anyone is to be killed by the sword, he is to be killed by the sword” (εἴ τις ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι). Thus the first two variants convey the idea of retribution, while the last variant, supported by codex A, does not. (There are actually a dozen variants here, evidence that scribes found the original text quite difficult. Only the most important variants are discussed in this note.) The first two variants seem to be in line with Jesus’ comments in Matt 26:52: “everyone who takes up the sword will die by the sword.” The last variant, however, seems to be taking up an idea found in Jer 15:2: “Those destined for death, to death; those for the sword, to the sword; those for starvation, to starvation; those for captivity, to captivity.” Though G. B. Caird, Revelation (HNTC), 169-70, gives four arguments in favor of the first reading (i.e., “whoever kills with the sword must with the sword be killed”), the arguments he puts forward can be read equally as well to support the latter alternative. In the end, the reading in codex A seems to be that of the initial text. The fact that this sentence seems to be in parallel with 10a (which simply focuses on God’s will and suffering passively and is therefore akin to the reading in codex A), and that it most likely gave rise to the others as the most difficult reading, argues for its authenticity.
  352. Revelation 13:10 tn On ὧδε (hōde) here, BDAG 1101 s.v. 2 states: “a ref. to a present event, object, or circumstance, in this case, at this point, on this occasion, under these circumstances…in this case moreover 1 Cor 4:2. ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν…Rv 13:18; cf. 17:9. ὧδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονή…13:10; 14:12.”
  353. Revelation 13:10 tn Or “perseverance.”
  354. Revelation 13:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  355. Revelation 13:11 sn This second beast is identified in Rev 16:13 as “the false prophet.”
  356. Revelation 13:11 tn Grk “and it had,” a continuation of the preceding sentence. On the use of the pronoun “he” to refer to the second beast, see the note on the word “It” in 13:1.
  357. Revelation 13:11 tn Or perhaps, “like a ram.” Here L&N 4.25 states, “In the one context in the NT, namely, Re 13:11, in which ἀρνίον refers literally to a sheep, it is used in a phrase referring to the horns of an ἀρνίον. In such a context the reference is undoubtedly to a ‘ram,’ that is to say, the adult male of sheep.” In spite of this most translations render the word “lamb” here to maintain the connection between this false lamb and the true Lamb of the Book of Revelation, Jesus Christ.
  358. Revelation 13:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  359. Revelation 13:12 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  360. Revelation 13:12 tn For the translation “ruling authority” for ἐξουσία (exousia) see L&N 37.35.
  361. Revelation 13:12 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
  362. Revelation 13:13 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  363. Revelation 13:13 tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), referring to both men and women.
  364. Revelation 13:14 tn Grk “earth, telling.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek.sn He told followed by an infinitive (“to make an image…”) is sufficiently ambiguous in Greek that it could be taken as “he ordered” (so NIV) or “he persuaded” (so REB).
  365. Revelation 13:15 tn Grk “it”; the referent (the second beast) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  366. Revelation 13:15 tn Grk “it was given [permitted] to it [the second beast].”
  367. Revelation 13:15 tn Grk “breath,” but in context the point is that the image of the first beast is made to come to life and speak.
  368. Revelation 13:15 tn Grk “of the beast”; the word “first” has been supplied to specify the referent.
  369. Revelation 13:16 tn Or “forced”; Grk “makes” (ποιεῖ, poiei).
  370. Revelation 13:16 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  371. Revelation 13:17 tn Grk “and that no one be able to buy or sell.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Although the ἵνα (hina) is left untranslated, the English conjunction “thus” is used to indicate that this is a result clause.
  372. Revelation 13:17 tn The word “things” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context. In the context of buying and selling, food could be primarily in view, but the more general “things” was used in the translation because the context is not specific.
  373. Revelation 13:17 tn Grk “except the one who had.”
  374. Revelation 13:17 tn Grk “his name or the number of his name.”
  375. Revelation 13:18 tn Grk “Here is wisdom.”
  376. Revelation 13:18 tn Grk “it is man’s number.” ExSyn 254 states “if ἀνθρώπου is generic, then the sense is, ‘It is [the] number of humankind.’ It is significant that this construction fits Apollonius’ Canon (i.e., both the head noun and the genitive are anarthrous), suggesting that if one of these nouns is definite, then the other is, too. Grammatically, those who contend that the sense is ‘it is [the] number of a man’ have the burden of proof on them (for they treat the head noun, ἀριθμός, as definite and the genitive, ἀνθρώπου, as indefinite—the rarest of all possibilities). In light of Johannine usage, we might also add Rev 16:18, where the Seer clearly uses the anarthrous ἄνθρωπος in a generic sense, meaning ‘humankind.’ The implications of this grammatical possibility, exegetically speaking, are simply that the number ‘666’ is the number that represents humankind. Of course, an individual is in view, but his number may be the number representing all of humankind. Thus the Seer might be suggesting here that the antichrist, who is the best representative of humanity without Christ (and the best counterfeit of a perfect man that his master, that old serpent, could muster), is still less than perfection (which would have been represented by the number seven).” See G. K. Beale, Revelation, [NIGTC], 723-24, who argues for the “generic” understanding of the noun; for an indefinite translation, see the ASV and ESV which both translate the clause as “it is the number of a man.” sn The translation man’s number suggests that the beast’s number is symbolic of humanity in general, while the translation a man’s number suggests that it represents an individual.
  377. Revelation 13:18 tc A few mss (P115 C, along with a few mss known to Irenaeus and two minuscule mss, 5 and 11, no longer extant), read 616 here, and several other witnesses have other variations. Irenaeus’ mention of mss that have 616 is balanced by his rejection of such witnesses in this case. As intriguing as the reading 616 is (since the conversion of Nero Caesar’s name in Latin by way of gematria would come out to 616), it must remain suspect because such a reading seems motivated in that it conforms more neatly to Nero’s gematria.
  378. Revelation 14:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  379. Revelation 14:1 tn The phrase “and here was” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  380. Revelation 14:2 tn Or “a voice” (cf. Rev 1:15), but since in this context nothing is mentioned as the content of the voice, it is preferable to translate φωνή (phōnē) as “sound” here.
  381. Revelation 14:2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of a new topic.
  382. Revelation 14:3 tn Grk “elders, and no one.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in the Greek text, but because of the length and complexity of the sentence a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  383. Revelation 14:4 tn The aorist passive verb is rendered as a reflexive (“defiled themselves”) by BDAG 657 s.v. μολύνω 2.
  384. Revelation 14:5 tn Grk “in their mouth was not found a lie.”
  385. Revelation 14:5 tc Several mss (P47 א 1 1006 1611 2351 MK) have the conjunction “for” (γάρ, gar) here so that the phrase reads: “for they are blameless.” Other significant mss (A C P 1854 2053 al lat) lack the word. The shorter reading is to be preferred since the scribes were more likely to make the connection explicit through the addition of “for” than they would have been to omit the conjunction. As it is, the passage without the conjunction makes good sense and evokes a very somber tone.
  386. Revelation 14:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  387. Revelation 14:6 tc Most mss (P47 א* M sa) lack ἄλλον (allon, “another”) here, but the support for it is stronger (P115vid א2 A C P 051 1006 1611 1841 2053 2329 al latt sy bo). The problem that its inclusion represents is that there is no reference to any other angel in the immediate context (the last mention was in 11:15). In this instance, the longer reading is harder. The word was probably intentionally omitted in order to resolve the tension; less likely, it might have been accidentally omitted since its spelling is similar to “angel” (ἄγγελος, angelos).
  388. Revelation 14:6 tn 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.’”
  389. Revelation 14:6 tn Grk “having.”
  390. Revelation 14:6 tn Or “an eternal gospel to announce as good news.”
  391. Revelation 14:6 tn Grk “to those seated on the earth.”
  392. Revelation 14:6 tn Grk “and tribe,” but καί (kai) has not been translated here or before the following term since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
  393. Revelation 14:7 tn Grk “people, saying.” In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence. For the translation of λέγω (legō) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
  394. Revelation 14:8 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  395. Revelation 14:8 tc There are several different variants comprising a textual problem involving “second” (δεύτερος, deuteros). First, several mss (A 1 2329 MK) read “another, a second angel” (ἄλλος δεύτερος ἄγγελος, allos deuteros angelos). Second, other mss (P47 א* 1006 1841 1854) read just “another, a second” (ἄλλος δεύτερος). Third, the reading “another angel” (ἄλλος ἄγγελος) is supported by a few Greek mss and some versional evidence (69 ar vg). Fourth, several mss (א2 [C reads δεύτερον instead of δεύτερος] 051 1611 2053 2344 MA) support the reading “another, a second angel” (ἄλλος ἄγγελος δεύτερος). The reading that most likely gave rise to the others is the fourth. The first reading attempts to smooth out the grammar by placing the adjective in front of the noun. The second reading may have dropped out the “angel” on the basis of its similarity to “another” (ἄλλος). The third reading either intentionally or accidentally left out the word “second.” In any event, this is weakly attested and should not be given much consideration. (If, however, this reading had had good support, with “second” floating, and with “third” in the text in 14:9, one could possibly see δεύτερος as a motivated reading. But without sufficient support for the third reading, the one thing that is most certain is that δεύτερος was part of the initial text here.) It is difficult to account for the rise of the other readings if “second” is not original. And the undisputed use of “third” (τρίτος, tritos) in 14:9 may be another indicator that the adjective “second” was in the autographic text. Finally, the fourth reading is the most difficult and therefore, in this case, to be accepted as the progenitor of the others.
  396. Revelation 14:8 tn Grk “And another angel, a second.”
  397. Revelation 14:8 tn The words “the first” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  398. Revelation 14:8 tn For the translation of λέγω (legō) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
  399. Revelation 14:8 sn The fall of Babylon the great city is described in detail in Rev 18:2-24.
  400. Revelation 14:8 tn Or “all the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  401. Revelation 14:8 tn Grk “of the wine of the passion of the sexual immorality of her.” Here τῆς πορνείας (tēs porneias) has been translated as an attributive genitive. In an ironic twist of fate, God will make Babylon drink her own mixture, but it will become the wine of his wrath in retribution for her immoral deeds (see the note on the word “wrath” in 16:19).
  402. Revelation 14:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  403. Revelation 14:9 tn Grk “And another angel, a third.”
  404. Revelation 14:9 tn Grk “followed them.”
  405. Revelation 14:9 tn For the translation of λέγω (legō) as “declare,” see BDAG 590 s.v. 2.e.
  406. Revelation 14:10 tn Grk “he himself.”
  407. Revelation 14:10 tn The Greek word for “anger” here is θυμός (thumos), a wordplay on the “passion” (θυμός) of the personified city of Babylon in 14:8.
  408. Revelation 14:10 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  409. Revelation 14:11 tn The Greek pronoun is plural here even though the verbs in the previous verse are singular.
  410. Revelation 14:11 tn The present tense ἀναβαίνει (anabainei) has been translated as a futuristic present (ExSyn 535-36). This is also consistent with the future passive βασανισθήσεται (basanisthēsetai) in v. 10.
  411. Revelation 14:11 tn The present tense ἔχουσιν (echousin) has been translated as a futuristic present to keep the English tense consistent with the previous verb (see note on “will go up” earlier in this verse).
  412. Revelation 14:11 tn Grk “and.”
  413. Revelation 14:12 tn Grk “Here is.”
  414. Revelation 14:12 tn Or “the perseverance.”
  415. Revelation 14:12 tn Grk “who keep.”
  416. Revelation 14:12 tn The words “hold to” are implied as a repetition of the participle translated “keep” (οἱ τηροῦντες, hoi tērountes).
  417. Revelation 14:12 tn Grk “faith of Jesus.” The construction may mean either “faith in Jesus” or “faithful to Jesus.” Either translation implies that ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou) is to be taken as an objective genitive; the difference is more lexical than grammatical because πίστις (pistis) can mean either “faith” or “faithfulness.”
  418. Revelation 14:13 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  419. Revelation 14:13 tn Or “from their trouble” (L&N 22.7).
  420. Revelation 14:13 tn Grk “their deeds will follow with them.”
  421. Revelation 14:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  422. Revelation 14:14 tn Grk “and behold, a white cloud.”
  423. Revelation 14:14 tn This phrase constitutes an allusion to Dan 7:13. Concerning υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου (huios tou anthrōpou), BDAG 1026 s.v. υἱός 2.d.γ says: “ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου lit. ‘the son of the man’…‘the human being, the human one, the man’…On Israelite thought contemporary w. Jesus and alleged knowledge of a heavenly being looked upon as a ‘Son of Man’ or ‘Man’, who exercises Messianic functions such as judging the world (metaph., pictorial passages in En 46-48; 4 Esdr 13:3, 51f)…Outside the gospels: Ac 7:56…Rv 1:13; 14:14 (both after Da 7:13…).” The term “son” here in this expression is anarthrous and as such lacks specificity. Some commentators and translations take the expression as an allusion to Daniel 7:13 and not to “the son of man” found in gospel traditions (e.g., Mark 8:31; 9:12; cf. D. E. Aune, Revelation [WBC], 2:800-801; cf. also NIV). Other commentators and versions, however, take the phrase “son of man” as definite, involving allusions to Dan 7:13 and “the son of man” gospel traditions (see G. K. Beale, Revelation [NIGTC], 771-72; NRSV).
  424. Revelation 14:14 tn Grk “like a son of man, having.” In the Greek text this is a continuation of the previous sentence.
  425. Revelation 14:15 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  426. Revelation 14:15 tn Grk “Send out.”
  427. Revelation 14:15 tn The aorist θέρισον (therison) has been translated ingressively.
  428. Revelation 14:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s directions.
  429. Revelation 14:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  430. Revelation 14:18 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  431. Revelation 14:18 tn Grk “who had authority over.” This appears to be the angel who tended the fire on the altar.
  432. Revelation 14:18 tn Grk “to the one having the sharp sickle”; the referent (the angel in v. 17) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  433. Revelation 14:18 tn Grk “Send.”
  434. Revelation 14:18 tn On this term BDAG 1018 s.v. τρυγάω states: “‘gather in’ ripe fruit, esp. harvest (grapes) w. acc. of the fruit (POslo. 21, 13 [71 ad]; Jos., Ant. 4, 227) Lk 6:44; Rv 14:18 (in imagery, as in the foll. places)…W. acc. of that which bears the fruit gather the fruit of the vine…or the vineyard (s. ἄμπελος a) Rv 14:19.”
  435. Revelation 14:18 tn On this term BDAG 181 s.v. βότρυς states, “bunch of grapes Rv 14:18…The word is also found in the Phrygian Papias of Hierapolis, in a passage in which he speaks of the enormous size of the grapes in the new aeon (in the Lat. transl. in Irenaeus 5, 33, 2f.): dena millia botruum Papias (1:2). On this see Stephan. Byz. s.v. Εὐκαρπία: Metrophanes says that in the district of Εὐκαρπία in Phrygia Minor the grapes were said to be so large that one bunch of them caused a wagon to break down in the middle.”
  436. Revelation 14:18 tn The genitive τῆς γῆς (tēs gēs), taken symbolically, could be considered a genitive of apposition.
  437. Revelation 14:18 tn Or perhaps, “its bunches of grapes” (a different Greek word from the previous clause). L&N 3.38 states, “the fruit of grapevines (see 3.27)—‘grape, bunch of grapes.’ τρύγησον τοὺς βότρυας τῆς ἀμπέλου τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἤκμασαν αἱ σταφυλαὶ αὐτῆς ‘cut the grapes from the vineyard of the earth because its grapes are ripe’ Re 14:18. Some scholars have contended that βότρυς means primarily a bunch of grapes, while σταφυλή designates individual grapes. In Re 14:18 this difference might seem plausible, but there is scarcely any evidence for such a distinction, since both words may signify grapes as well as bunches of grapes.”
  438. Revelation 14:18 tn On the use of ἥκμασαν (ēkmasan) BDAG 36 s.v. ἀκμάζω states, “to bloom…of grapes…Rv 14:18.”
  439. Revelation 14:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s directions.
  440. Revelation 14:19 tn Or “vine.” BDAG 54 s.v. ἄμπελος a states, “τρυγᾶν τοὺς βότρυας τῆς ἀ. τῆς γῆς to harvest the grapes fr. the vine of the earth (i.e., fr. the earth, symbol. repr. as a grapevine) Rv 14:18f; but ἀ may be taking on the meaning of ἀμπελών, as oft. in pap., possibly PHib. 70b, 2 [III bc].” The latter alternative has been followed in the translation (ἀμπελών = “vineyard”).
  441. Revelation 14:19 tn Although the gender of μέγαν (megan, masc.) does not match the gender of ληνόν (lēnon, fem.) it has been taken to modify that word (as do most English translations).
  442. Revelation 14:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  443. Revelation 14:20 sn The winepress was stomped. See Isa 63:3, where Messiah does this alone (usually several individuals would join in the process).
  444. Revelation 14:20 tn L&N 6.7 states, “In Re 14:20 the reference to a bit and bridle is merely an indication of measurement, that is to say, the height of the bit and bridle from the ground, and one may reinterpret this measurement as ‘about a meter and a half’ or ‘about five feet.’”
  445. Revelation 14:20 tn Grk “1,600 stades.” A stade was a measure of length about 607 ft (185 m). Thus the distance here would be 184 mi or 296 km.
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