Devine Scripture

Revelation 5:3

What does Revelation 5:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 5:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 5:3 means

Heaven, earth, and the realm of the dead are canvassed, and no one is able even to look into the scroll, much less open it. This universal inability underscores that no created being—however exalted—possesses the authority or purity required to unlock and administer God’s final purposes. The silence is not mere suspense; it is a theological verdict on human and angelic insufficiency. All creation stands outside the counsels of God unless invited in by God Himself. The scene insists that the unfolding of history’s consummation cannot be achieved by human ingenuity or angelic might, but only by the One uniquely suited to God’s will.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to get the book open, or to see what was in it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and no one was able in the heaven, nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, to open the scroll, nor to behold it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And no man was able, neither in heaven nor on earth nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And no one was able in the heaven, or upon the earth, or underneath the earth, to open the book, or to regard it.

Context

The angel’s question has been asked; now the search returns empty. This prepares the emotional valley into which John descends in the next verse. The failure to find anyone fits to open the scroll spotlights the magnitude of the problem and the stakes for the church suffering on earth. Only after the weight of this “no one” is felt will the announcement of the worthy One come with its full relief and glory. The stage is cleared of every competitor so that the Lamb’s worthiness stands alone.

v.2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

v.3This passage

v.4And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 41:28

    And when I look, there is no man: even among them there is no counsellor, that, when I ask of them, can answer a word.

  • Romans 11:34

    For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

  • Revelation 5:13

    And every created thing which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and on the sea, and all things that are in them, heard I saying, Unto him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honor, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever.

  • Isaiah 40:13

    Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him?

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