Devine Scripture

Revelation 7:13

What does Revelation 7:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 7:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 7:13 means

One of the elders turns to John with a probing question: “These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?” The elder acts as a guide, directing John—and us—to consider the identity and story of the worshipers. The question is not a test but an invitation to revelation. By focusing on their robes and origin, the elder prepares to explain both their cleansing and their path to glory. Heaven’s worship is not vague; it is rooted in the narrative of redemption—who these people are and how God brought them there.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And one of the rulers made answer, saying to me, These who have on white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And answer did one of the elders, saying to me, `These, who have been arrayed with the white robes--who are they, and whence came they?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And one of the ancients answered and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? And whence came they?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These who are clothed with white robes, who are they, and whence came they?

Context

After the swelling doxology, the scene becomes intimate and instructional. The elder’s question sets up an authoritative interpretation to follow. John’s reply in the next verse will defer to the elder’s knowledge, opening the door for the crucial explanation that the multitude has come out of the great tribulation and has been washed in the Lamb’s blood. This interpretive turn clarifies the relationship between suffering, salvation, and the blessings just celebrated.

v.12saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

v.13This passage

v.14And I say unto him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Cross references

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

  • Judges 13:6

    Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of the angel of God, very terrible; and I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

  • Revelation 5:11

    And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels round about the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

  • Revelation 7:9

    After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and ofalltribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;

  • Revelation 4:10

    the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

  • 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.

  • John 7:28

    Jesus therefore cried in the temple, teaching and saying, Ye both know me, and know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

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