Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:14

What does Revelation 1:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:14 means

His head and hair are white like wool, like snow, speaking of purity, age, and matchless wisdom. His eyes blaze like fire, revealing a gaze that penetrates all pretense and judges rightly. The image evokes the Ancient of Days and applies divine attributes to the Son of Man, highlighting Christ’s deity. Nothing in the churches escapes His searching sight—He sees works, motives, and hidden sins as well as faithful endurance. For those who love truth, His eyes are a comfort; for the unrepentant, they warn. This radiant holiness sets the tone for the letters that soon expose both faithfulness and compromise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And his head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and his head and hairs white, as if white wool--as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his head and his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of fire:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

his head and hair white like white wool, as snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire;

Context

The description intensifies, revealing the character of the One among the candlesticks. After announcing His presence in royal-priestly vestments, the vision now emphasizes His purity and penetrating knowledge. Verse 15 will continue with images of strength and overwhelming voice, and verse 16 with symbols of authority and the power of His word. The momentum prepares the reader for the effect this sight has on John in verse 17—prostrate awe—before Christ’s gracious reassurance and commission.

v.13and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.

v.14This passage

v.15and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Daniel 10:6

    his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like unto burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

  • Revelation 19:12

    And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.

  • Matthew 28:3

    His appearance was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

  • Daniel 7:9

    I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.

  • Revelation 2:18

    And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

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