Revelation 14:3
What does Revelation 14:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 14:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 14:3 means
John hears a new song sung before the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders. It is a worship anthem springing from fresh experience of redemption. Only the hundred and forty and four thousand can learn it, because it uniquely matches their story as those purchased from the earth. Salvation is one, yet the song shows that grace has a personal history; the redeemed know in their bones what God has done for them. Being “purchased” underscores that their deliverance was costly and deliberate, accomplished by the Lamb. This song is not a performance but a testimony, echoing heaven’s worship while carrying the distinctive accent of those God has brought through.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they made as it seemed a new song before the high seat, and before the four beasts and the rulers: and no man might have knowledge of the song but the hundred and forty-four thousand, even those from the earth whom God has made his for a price.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they sing, as it were, a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders, and no one was able to learn the song except the hundred forty-four thousands, who have been bought from the earth;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they sung as it were a new canticle, before the throne and before the four living creatures and the ancients: and no man could say the canticle, but those hundred forty-four thousand who were purchased from the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and they sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn that song save the hundred [and] forty-four thousand who were bought from the earth.
Context
The new song comes immediately after the heavenly sound of verse 2, clarifying that the 144,000 are not passive observers but active worshipers. Their exclusive ability to learn the song highlights their identity as the sealed, redeemed people first introduced in verse 1. The location—before the throne and heavenly beings—places their praise in God’s own court, affirming divine acceptance. The next verses (4–5) explain why only this group can sing it: their consecration and truthfulness mark them out. After this portrait of the redeemed, the chapter will widen again to global proclamations through three angels (verses 6–11).
v.2And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heardwasasthe voiceof harpers harping with their harps:
v.3This passage
v.4These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 5:9
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
- Isaiah 42:10
Sing unto Jehovah a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth; ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
- Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.
- Psalms 149:1
Praise ye Jehovah. Sing unto Jehovah a new song, And his praise in the assembly of the saints.
- Psalms 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah.
- Psalms 96:1
Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.
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