Revelation 7:14
What does Revelation 7:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 7:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 7:14 means
John answers humbly, “My lord, thou knowest,” and the elder explains: these are the ones who come out of “the great tribulation.” Their robes are white because they “washed” them and “made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Suffering did not disqualify them; through the Lamb’s sacrificial death, it became the path to glory. The paradox of blood whitening garments proclaims the atoning power of Jesus Christ: his death cleanses guilt and clothes believers in righteousness. The emphasis rests not on their merit but on the Lamb’s work. Their deliverance is both from wrath and through trials, secured by Christ’s shed blood.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I said to him, My lord, you have knowledge. And he said to me, These are they who came through the great testing, and their robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I have said to him, `Sir, thou hast known;' and he said to me, `These are those who are coming out of the great tribulation, and they did wash their robes, and they made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I said to him, My lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they who come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Context
This verse provides the chapter’s interpretive key. Having identified the multitude and the means of their cleansing, the narrative will now detail the blessings that flow from this salvation. Verses 15–17 describe their nearness to God, their ceaseless service, their freedom from want and harm, and the tender care of the Lamb and of God. The explanation ties together the white robes, their worship, and their secure standing before the throne.
v.13And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?
v.14This passage
v.15Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 1:7
but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- Zechariah 13:1
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.
- Hebrews 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
- Acts 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- Revelation 1:5
and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
- Ephesians 5:26
that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
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