Revelation 2:18

What does Revelation 2:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 2:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 2:18 means

To Thyatira, Jesus speaks as the Son of God, with eyes like a flame of fire and feet like burnished brass. This title asserts His divine authority, while the fiery eyes symbolize penetrating, purifying insight—He sees through appearances to the heart. His bronze-like feet suggest stable, unyielding judgment. The church in Thyatira is about to hear both commendation and a grave charge; this portrait assures them that the One addressing them is uniquely qualified to judge and to save. He is not deceived by surface virtues, nor deterred from dealing with entrenched sin. His gaze refines saints and exposes pretenders.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to the angel of the church in Thyatira say: These things says the Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and his feet like polished brass:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And to the messenger of the assembly of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who is having his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And to the angel of the church of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like to a flame of fire and his feet like to fine brass.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: These things says the Son ofGod, he that has his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass:

Context

This introduction, as in earlier letters (verses 1, 8, 12), matches the content to follow. The strongest rebuke of the chapter is coming, alongside genuine praise. Verse 19 will recount Thyatira’s growth in love and service, while verses 20–23 will confront a tolerated false prophetess and announce severe judgment. The promises in verses 26–28 will be among the most expansive, rooted in Christ’s royal authority. The opening depiction prepares the church to receive both comfort and correction from the divine Son.

v.17He 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.

v.18This passage

v.19I know thy works, and thy love and faith and ministry and patience, and that thy last works are more than the first.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 17:5

    While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

  • Matthew 3:17

    and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

  • John 5:25

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • Matthew 27:54

    Now the centurion, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

  • Revelation 1:11

    saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

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