Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:16

What does Revelation 1:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:16 means

In His right hand He holds seven stars, a sign of sovereign care and control over the leaders or angelic representatives of the churches. From His mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword, portraying the piercing, judging, and saving power of His word. His face shines like the sun at full strength, a manifestation of divine glory that overwhelms and illumines. The right hand suggests protection and authority; the sword, decisive truth; the radiant face, unveiled majesty. The Christ who walks among the candlesticks does so as Lord of the church and Judge of the world, whose word defines reality and whose glory commands reverent fear.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword: and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword is proceeding, and his countenance <FI>is<Fi> as the sun shining in its might.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun shineth in his power.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and having in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and his countenance as the sun shines in its power.

Context

This climactic description ends the visual portrayal begun in verse 12. The following verse (v. 17) shows the natural human response—falling as though dead—answered by the Lord’s tender touch and self-identification as the first and the last. The symbols introduced here will be partly explained in verse 20, guiding readers to interpret the scene: the stars relate to the churches’ angels, and the candlesticks to the churches themselves.

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.

v.16This passage

v.17And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 6:17

    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

  • Revelation 3:1

    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.

  • Matthew 17:2

    and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.

  • Malachi 4:2

    But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

  • Isaiah 49:2

    and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me: and he hath made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he kept me close:

  • Revelation 10:1

    And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

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