Devine Scripture

Revelation 6:3

What does Revelation 6:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 6:3 means

The Lamb opens the second seal, and the second living creature again commands, “Come.” The repetition underlines heaven’s control and the measured, step-by-step nature of the judgments. Nothing bursts upon the world by chance; each phase is introduced by divine permission. The involvement of the living creatures—majestic beings closest to God’s throne—adds weight to the summons. It reminds us that judgment is a holy act proceeding from God’s throne room, not an arbitrary stroke. The verse is brief, but it bridges the first horseman’s appearance to the next, preparing us for an intensification of turmoil as peace is withdrawn from the earth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the second stamp was undone, the voice of the second beast came to my ears, saying, Come and see.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, `Come and behold!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying: Come and see.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when it opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come [and see].

Context

Verse 3 functions as a hinge like verse 1 did for the first seal. It maintains the established rhythm: the Lamb opens, the creature calls, and the next vision comes. This cadence helps readers recognize a purposeful pattern rather than chaos. What follows (verse 4) is the second horseman, whose task escalates the impact of the first rider. The concise framing here ensures the focus remains on the heavenly origin of the unfolding events and primes the reader to expect a new, distinct judgment.

v.2And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon had a bow; and there was given unto him a crown: and he came forth conquering, and to conquer.

v.3This passage

v.4And anotherhorsecame forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 6:1

    And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, Come.

  • Revelation 4:7

    And the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face as of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle.

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