Devine Scripture

Revelation 12:1

What does Revelation 12:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 12:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 12:1 means

John beholds a great sign in heaven: a radiant woman, clothed with the sun, standing over the moon, crowned with twelve stars. The language is symbolic of corporate glory and covenant identity. The crown with twelve stars naturally points to the people of God in their fullness, rooted in Israel’s twelve tribes. Her splendor comes from God, not herself. She is seen in heaven, signaling that what follows is a revelation from God’s vantage point about His people’s role in His redemptive plan. The scene prepares us to understand history not merely by earthly events but by the spiritual realities behind them, especially the arrival of the promised Messiah through God’s covenant community.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a great sign was seen in heaven: a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a great sign was seen in heaven: a A woman clothed with the sun, and with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a great sign was seen in the heaven, a woman arrayed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a great sign was seen in the heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars;

Context

Verse 1 opens a new visionary section with a “great sign,” shifting from earlier judgments to a symbolic panorama of salvation history. It introduces the woman before any conflict is named, anchoring the vision in God’s purpose for His people. Immediately after, another sign appears—the great red dragon—setting up a cosmic opposition. Reading this verse well frames the woman as central to the chapter’s conflict and assures the reader that her glory and identity come from God’s covenantal design, not from human power.

v.1This passage

v.2and she was with child; and she crieth out, travailing in birth, and in pain to be delivered.

Cross references

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

  • Titus 2:11

    For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

  • Matthew 24:30

    and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

  • Ephesians 5:32

    This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.

  • Revelation 12:3

    And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.

  • Revelation 15:1

    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.

  • Zechariah 9:16

    And Jehovah their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted on high over his land.

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