Revelation 19:15
What does Revelation 19:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 19:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 19:15 means
From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword—the power of His word—to strike the nations. He rules with a rod of iron, exercising firm, unbreakable authority. He alone treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty, enacting divine judgment against stubborn rebellion. The imagery is severe but just: the same Word that saves also judges; mercy rejected becomes wrath faced. Christ’s rule does not compromise with evil; it ends it. For the faithful, this is assurance that injustice will not have the last word. For the defiant, it is a sobering warning that the King’s speech is irresistible and His verdict final.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And out of his mouth comes a sharp sword, with which he overcomes the nations: and he has rule over them with a rod of iron: and he is crushing with his feet the grapes of the strong wrath of God the Ruler of all.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and out of his mouth doth proceed a sharp sword, that with it he may smite the nations, and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and he doth tread the press of the wine of the wrath and the anger of God the Almighty,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged sword, that with it he may strike the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God the Almighty.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And out of his mouth goes a sharp [two-edged] sword, that with it he might smite the nations; and he shall shepherd them with an iron rod; and he treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath ofGod the Almighty.
Context
This verse concentrates the King’s action and authority after the description of His armies. The sword from His mouth explains how He wins—by His effective, judging word. The iron rod shows the character of His reign, and the winepress pictures the outpouring of God’s wrath. These themes crescendo into the climactic royal title in verse 16. Immediately afterward, the narrative will reveal a gruesome counter-supper (verses 17–18) and the gathering of the beast and kings for open war (verse 19), setting up the swift downfall of Christ’s enemies (verses 20–21).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 12:5
And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.
- Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
- Psalms 2:9
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
- Isaiah 63:2
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat?
- Revelation 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
- Revelation 14:17
And another angel came out from the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
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