Revelation Chapter 6 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
Revelation Chapter 6 (New Testament)
7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Revelation Chapter 6 (New Testament)
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἄνοιξις — anoixis | Verse 1 — “The Lamb opened one of the seals…” | “Opening,” unsealing. | Anoixis (“opening”) indicates an authoritative action by the Lamb (“opening”). It reveals Christ’s right to execute divine decrees. The term stresses the sovereignty of the Redeemer. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (1889) |
| νικάω — nikaō | Verse 2 — “…went forth conquering, and to conquer.” | “Conquer,” overcome. | Nikaō (“to conquer”) expresses continual victory (“overcome”). The rider’s conquest unfolds under divine permission. The term emphasizes unstoppable progression of God’s purposes. — Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament (1896) |
| εἰρήνη — eirēnē | Verse 4 — “…to take peace from the earth…” | “Peace,” harmony. | Eirēnē (“peace”) reflects tranquility disrupted (“peace”). Its removal marks global conflict. The term underscores judgment through social upheaval. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| χοῖνιξ — choinix | Verse 6 — “A measure of wheat for a penny…” | “Measure,” ration. | Choinix (“measure”) denotes minimum daily grain allowance (“measure/ration”). It signals famine-level scarcity. The term conveys economic catastrophe in judgment. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| οἶνος — oinos | Verse 6 — “…hurt not the oil and the wine.” | “Wine,” grape beverage. | Oinos (“wine”) contrasts luxury goods with staple foods (“wine”). It implies selective economic collapse. The term highlights symbolic imbalance in judgment. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| ψυχή — psychē | Verse 9 — “…the souls under the altar…” | “Soul,” life. | Psychē (“soul/life”) identifies the conscious existence of martyrs (“soul”). Their cries reveal divine awareness of injustice. The term supports the continuity of personal identity after death. — Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (1890) |
| στολή — stolē | Verse 11 — “…white robes were given unto every one…” | “Robe,” long garment. | Stolē (“robe”) symbolizes purity and honor (“white robe”). It marks divine vindication of martyrs. The term conveys eschatological reward. — Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| ὀργή — orgē | Verse 16 — “…hide us from the wrath of the Lamb…” | “Wrath,” righteous anger. | Orgē (“wrath”) represents justifiable divine retribution (“wrath”). The Lamb’s wrath reveals moral seriousness of sin. The term intensifies the holiness of Christ. — Westcott, Commentary on the Epistles of John (1883) |
| μεγάλη ἡμέρα — megalē hēmera | Verse 17 — “…the great day of His wrath…” | “Great day,” decisive judgment. | Megalē Hēmera (“great day”) denotes climactic divine intervention (“day of judgment”). It parallels prophetic language in Joel and Zephaniah. The term frames universal accountability. — Franz Delitzsch, Old Testament Theology (1898) |
| ἵστημι — histēmi | Verse 17 — “…who shall be able to stand?” | “Stand,” endure. | Histēmi (“to stand”) means to remain firm under judgment (“stand/endure”). None can withstand divine holiness unaided. The term highlights human dependence on grace. — Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 6 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The opening of the seals signals divine judgment intertwined with human history. |
| Ferdinand Christian Baur (University of Tübingen, Germany, 1792–1860) | Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ | Baur interprets the seals as moral and historical warnings to the faithful. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson emphasizes the imagery of conquest, suffering, and eschatological warning. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer highlights the symbolic language representing divine judgment and moral accountability. |
| Charles B. Williams (Yale University, United States, 1860–1929) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Williams stresses that the seals communicate the tension between God’s justice and mercy. |
How well do you know The Bible? Find Out- Take Free Quiz
Revelation Chapter 6
Verse: "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne." - Revelation 6:9
Lesson: This chapter describes the opening of the first six seals, which bring forth various disasters and tribulations. This verse highlights the persecution that Christians will face for their faith, and the ultimate sacrifice that some will make.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: As followers of Christ, we must be prepared to face persecution and even death for our faith. We must hold fast to our confession of faith, even in the face of opposition and suffering, knowing that our reward is in heaven.
Prayer points: Let us pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who are facing persecution for their faith. May God strengthen and protect them, and may their witness inspire us to greater faithfulness and courage in our own lives.
What's Next? Get A Piano Lesson in Houston or Online from The Alive Christians' School of Music
