Devine Scripture

Revelation 14:17

What does Revelation 14:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 14:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 14:17 means

A second angel emerges from the heavenly temple, also equipped with a sharp sickle. This signals that a new phase of harvesting is about to occur, distinct from the Son of Man’s reaping. The repetition of “sharp” emphasizes the readiness and precision of divine judgment. Coming from the temple connects this action, too, with God’s holy presence and decree. Angels serve as agents in God’s judicial work; the scene shows heaven fully engaged in bringing history to its appointed crises. The stage is set for a different kind of gathering, not to salvation but to wrath, underscoring that God’s harvest includes both rescue and retribution.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And another angel came out from the house of God which is in heaven, having a sharp curved blade.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And another messenger did come forth out of the sanctuary that <FI>is<Fi> in the heaven, having--he also--a sharp sickle,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And another angel came out of the temple which [is] in the heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Context

Following the completed reaping of verse 16, verse 17 introduces another reaper from the temple, preparing the reader for the shift from ingathering to judgment imagery. The narrative cadence mirrors the Old Testament pattern of harvest followed by vintage. The next verse (18) will bring in an angel from the altar who calls for this angel to act, tying judgment to the altar’s associations with prayer and fire. Verses 19–20 will then depict the grapes thrown into the great winepress of God’s wrath and the shocking outflow that follows outside the city.

v.16And he that sat on the cloud cast his sickle upon the earth; and the earth was reaped.

v.17This passage

v.18And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 14:14

    And I saw, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloudI sawone sitting like unto a son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

  • Revelation 14:18

    And another angel came out from the altar, he that hath power over fire; and he called with a great voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Send forth thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

  • Revelation 15:5

    And after these things I saw, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

  • Revelation 16:1

    And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 14

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 14.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 14:17.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary