A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 10:9

"And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he saith unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey." — Revelation 10:9 (ASV)

I went (απηλθα). Second aorist active indicative (-α form), "I went away" (απ-) to the angel. John left his position by the door of heaven (4:1).

That he should give (δουνα). Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμ, indirect command after λεγων (bidding) for δος in the direct discourse (second aorist active imperative second person singular). This use of λεγω to bid occurs in 13:14; Acts 21:21.

He saith (λεγε). Dramatic vivid present active indicative of λεγω.

Take it and eat it up (λαβε κα καταφαγε αυτο). Second aorist (effective) active imperatives of λαμβανω and κατεσθιω (perfective use of κατα, "eat down," we say "eat up"). See the same metaphor in Eze 3:1-3; Jeremiah 15:6f. The book was already open and was not to be read aloud, but to be digested mentally by John.

It shall make thy belly bitter (πικρανε σου την κοιλιαν). Future active of πικραινω, for which verb see 8:11; 10:10; Colossians 3:19. There is no reference in Ezekiel or Jeremiah to the bitterness here mentioned.

Sweet as honey (γλυκυ ως μελ). For the sweetness of the roll see Ps 19:10f.; 119:103. "Every revelation of God's purposes, even though a mere fragment, a βιβλαριδιον, is 'bittersweet,' disclosing judgement as well as mercy" (Swete). Deep and bitter sorrows confront John as he comes to understand God's will and way.