Revelation Chapter 5 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Revelation Chapter 5 (New Testament)
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation Chapter 5 (New Testament)
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| βιβλίον — biblion | Verse 1 — “a book written within…” | “Scroll,” written document. | Biblion (“scroll/book”) denotes a formal sealed document (“scroll”). It represents God’s decrees for history. The term anchors the chapter’s drama of redemption. — J. H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| σφραγίς — sphragis | Verse 1 — “…sealed with seven seals.” | “Seal,” stamped mark. | Sphragis (“seal”) symbolizes authority and secrecy (“seal”). Only the rightful heir can open it. The term magnifies Christ’s exclusive authority. — Richard C. Trench, Commentary on the Seven Churches (1861) |
| ἰσχυρός — ischyros | Verse 2 — “…a strong angel…” | “Mighty,” powerful. | Ischyros (“strong/mighty”) expresses superior angelic strength (“mighty”). Yet even this being cannot open the scroll. The term raises the majesty of the Lamb. — Westcott, The Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| ἀξιός — axios | Verse 2 — “…who is worthy…” | “Worthy,” deserving. | Axios (“worthy”) conveys moral and royal fitness (“worthy”). Only Christ meets the divine criteria. The term reinforces His supremacy. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| κλαίω — klaio | Verse 4 — “I wept much…” | “Weep,” lament intensely. | Klaio (“to weep”) expresses deep grief (“weep”). John’s sorrow highlights humanity’s helplessness without Christ. The term heightens the drama of redemption. — Schaff, History of the Christian Church (1890) |
| λέων — leōn | Verse 5 — “…the Lion of the tribe of Judah…” | “Lion,” kingly conqueror. | Leōn (“lion”) symbolizes royal might (“lion”). It evokes Messianic prophecy. The term reveals Christ’s kingly authority. — Franz Delitzsch, Old Testament Messianic Prophecies (1898) |
| ἀρνίον — arnion | Verse 6 — “…a Lamb as it had been slain…” | “Little lamb,” sacrificial lamb. | Arnion (“little lamb”) highlights meekness and sacrificial death (“lamb”). It conveys paradoxical victory through suffering. The term defines the identity of the Redeemer. — Westcott, The Epistles of St. John (1883) |
| σφάζω — sphazō | Verse 6 — “…as it had been slain…” | “Slaughter,” sacrifice. | Sphazō (“to slaughter”) points to violent sacrificial death (“slain”). It reveals the costliness of redemption. The term deepens the imagery of atonement. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ᾠδή — ōdē | Verse 9 — “…they sung a new song…” | “Song,” hymn. | Ōdē (“song/hymn”) signifies worshipful proclamation (“song”). Redemption becomes the theme of heaven’s praise. The term expresses liturgical celebration. — Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| βασιλεύω — basileuō | Verse 10 — “…we shall reign on the earth.” | “Reign,” rule as king. | Basileuō (“to reign”) marks future royal authority (“reign”). Believers share Christ’s dominion. The term projects eschatological victory. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Revelation (1882) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 5 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The Lamb symbolizes both sacrificial redemption and ultimate authority over history. |
| Adolf von Harnack (University of Berlin, Germany, 1851–1930) | History of Dogma | Harnack interprets the scroll and Lamb imagery as theological expressions of Christ’s central role in salvation. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the literary and symbolic power of the Lamb as conqueror and redeemer. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer notes the chapter communicates both hope and divine sovereignty. |
| Charles Bigg (University of Oxford, United Kingdom, 1840–1908) | The Christian Platonists of Alexandria | Bigg stresses the combination of visionary symbolism with early Christian theological thought. |
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Revelation Chapter 5
Verse: "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'" - Revelation 5:9
Lesson: In this chapter, John sees a scroll with seven seals that no one is worthy to open except for the Lamb of God, who was slain for our sins. This verse emphasizes the Lamb's worthiness to open the scroll and redeem people from all nations.
Conclusion: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the only one who is worthy to redeem us from our sin and bring us into a right relationship with God. We must place our faith in Him and acknowledge His sacrifice as the only way to salvation.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Prayer points: Let us pray that we may have a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He offers. May we share this message of redemption with others and pray for those who have yet to accept Jesus as their Savior.
What's Next? Get A Piano Lesson in Houston or Online from The Alive Christians' School of Music
