Devine Scripture

Revelation 19:12

What does Revelation 19:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:12 means

The Rider’s eyes blaze like fire, expressing penetrating, purifying omniscience. Nothing escapes His gaze; no pretense survives His scrutiny. Many diadems rest upon His head, displaying universal and unrivaled sovereignty—He holds every crown. He also bears a name known only to Himself, signaling that even in revelation there is mystery to His person. He is fully revealed yet never exhausted; His identity surpasses human grasp. Together these images portray Christ as the all-seeing, all-ruling King whose depths cannot be plumbed. He is not one ruler among many, nor a figure to be mastered by curiosity. He is Lord—majestic, inscrutable, and holy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And his eyes are a flame of fire, and crowns are on his head; and he has a name in writing, of which no man has knowledge but himself.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and his eyes <FI>are<Fi> as a flame of fire, and upon his head <FI>are<Fi> many diadems--having a name written that no one hath known, except himself,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And his eyes were as a flame of fire: and on his head were many diadems. And he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head many diadems, having a name written which no one knows but himself;

Context

Building on verse 11’s introduction, this verse piles up features that distinguish the Rider from every earthly sovereign. Eyes like fire contrast with the dark deceptions of the beast; many diadems surpass the pretended crowns of worldly powers. The unknown name guards against a merely human handling of divine things. Verse 12 thus deepens the portrait before verse 13 names Him “The Word of God” and notes His blood-sprinkled garment. The sequence moves from character and authority to identity and mission, preparing for the mustering of His armies (verse 14) and the execution of His judgment (verse 15).

v.11And 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.

v.12This passage

v.13And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Cross references

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

  • Song of Solomon 3:11

    Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon, With the crown wherewith his mother hath crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.

  • Isaiah 9:6

    For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  • Revelation 19:16

    And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  • Judges 13:18

    And the angel of Jehovah said unto him, Wherefore askest thou after my name, seeing it is wonderful?

  • Isaiah 62:3

    Thou shalt also be a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

  • 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.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 19

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 19.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 19:12.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary