Devine Scripture

Revelation 20:5

What does Revelation 20:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 20:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 20:5 means

A distinction is drawn: “the rest of the dead” do not live until the thousand years finish. The living and reigning martyrs belong to what John calls “the first resurrection.” This term marks their privileged participation in life and authority before the general resurrection. The verse underscores sequence and separation—some are raised to reign now, while others await. It affirms that the faithful witnesses experience a foretaste of final victory. The identification of their life as a resurrection highlights the reality and dignity of their state; it is not merely survival of souls, but participation in triumph granted by God. Their present honor anticipates the fuller consummation still to come.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The rest of the dead did not come to life again till the thousand years were ended. This is the first coming back from the dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the rest of the dead did not live again till the thousand years may be finished; this <FI>is<Fi> the first rising again.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

The rest of the dead lived not, till the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

the rest of the dead did not live till the thousand years had been completed. This [is] the first resurrection.

Context

This clarifies the scene of verse 4 by contrasting two groups: those who live and reign now and the rest who await. It establishes the theological category of the “first resurrection,” preparing for the beatitude in verse 6 that explains its blessedness and protection from the second death. The flow helps readers see the structured timeline of the vision: a millennial reign of the faithful, a later release of Satan, and at last the universal judgment and final state.

v.4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

v.5This passage

v.6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 11:15

    For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

  • Luke 14:14

    and thou shalt be blessed; because they have not wherewith to recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed in the resurrection of the just.

  • Philippians 3:11

    if by any means I may attain unto the resurrection from the dead.

  • Revelation 11:11

    And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.

  • Revelation 20:8

    and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

  • Ezekiel 37:2

    And he caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 20

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 20.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 20:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary