Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:11

What does Revelation 19:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:11 means

Heaven opens, and John sees a white horse with a Rider named “Faithful and True.” This is Christ revealed as the conquering King whose judgments and warfare are entirely righteous. He does not wage war for ambition or cruelty but to set the world right. The white horse signals victory and purity; His character—faithful to promises, true to God’s will—grounds the justice of His campaign. For a persecuted church, this appearance answers every counterfeit rule: the rightful King comes openly. His mission is judicial and corrective, not chaotic. Evil gathered in defiance meets a King who cannot be deceived and will not compromise with lies.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the heaven was open; and I saw a white horse, and he who was seated on it was named Certain and True; and he is judging and making war in righteousness.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw the heaven having been opened, and lo, a white horse, and he who is sitting upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness doth he judge and war,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw heaven opened: and behold a white horse. And he that sat upon him was called faithful and true: and with justice doth he judge and fight.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and one sitting on it, [called] Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war in righteousness.

Context

The scene shifts dramatically from heavenly worship and wedding joy (verses 1–10) to the advent of the victorious King. Verse 11 introduces the Rider whose identity and authority will be elaborated in verses 12–16. This is the decisive moment toward which the judgments on Babylon pointed: not only the fall of a corrupt city but the arrival of the just Ruler. The subsequent verses will stack titles and images—eyes of fire, many diadems, a mysterious name, a blood-sprinkled garment, “The Word of God”—before describing His armies and His weapon, the sharp sword from His mouth (verses 14–15).

v.10And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

v.11This passage

v.12And 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.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 6:2

    And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

  • Revelation 15:3

    And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.

  • Psalms 99:4

    The king’s strength also loveth justice; Thou dost establish equity; Thou executest justice and righteousness in Jacob.

  • Revelation 4:1

    After these things I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, a voiceas of a trumpet speaking with me, one saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass hereafter.

  • Isaiah 32:1

    Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

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