Devine Scripture

Revelation 5:2

What does Revelation 5:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 5:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 5:2 means

A mighty angel cries out with a commanding voice, not asking who is strong enough, but who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. The emphasis is moral and royal fitness, not mere power. Heaven pauses under this summons because opening the scroll is more than reading; it is enacting the purposes of God in judgment and salvation. The challenge exposes the gap between creaturely ability and divine authority. The question invites the whole created order to consider whether anyone has the right to bring God’s plan to pass, and it prepares the way for the only One who does.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw a strong angel saying in a loud voice, Who is able to make the book open, and to undo its stamps?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I saw a strong messenger crying with a great voice, `Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose the seals of it?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw a strong angel, proclaiming with a loud voice: Who is worthy to open the book and to loose the seals thereof?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who [is] worthy to open the book, and to break its seals?

Context

After the scroll’s introduction, this call throws the spotlight on worthiness. The question functions like a trumpet blast, drawing attention to the gravity of the task. It sets up the dramatic tension that will be answered in the next verses. First, the search will yield only silence and inability, deepening the sense of crisis. Then, an elder will direct John’s eyes to the victorious Messiah. This verse is therefore the hinge between the presentation of the scroll and the revelation of the One who can open it.

v.1And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.

v.2This passage

v.3And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 103:20

    Bless Jehovah, ye his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfil his word, Hearkening unto the voice of his word.

  • Isaiah 29:11

    And all vision is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot, for it is sealed:

  • Revelation 18:21

    And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all.

  • Revelation 5:5

    and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

  • Revelation 10:1

    And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

  • Isaiah 41:22

    Let them bring forth, and declare unto us what shall happen: declare ye the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or show us things to come.

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