A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 14
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 14
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 14
"And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads." — Revelation 14:1 (ASV)
The Lamb (το αρνιον). See 5:6; 7:17; 12:11; 13:8 and is in contrast with the anarthrous αρνιον in 13:11. This proleptic vision of the Lamb "standing on the mount Zion" (εστος επ το ορος Σιων, second perfect active participle neuter of ιστημ with επ and accusative) is reasoning after the visions of the two beasts. Mount Zion is the site of the new city of God (Hebrews 12:22), the Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26), the seat of the Messianic Kingdom whether heaven or the new earth (Revelation 21; 22). These victors have the name of the Lamb and God upon their foreheads as in 3:12; 22:4, in place of the mark of the beast above (13:16; 14:11). This seal protects them (9:4).
A hundred and forty and four thousand (εκατον τεσσερακοντα τεσσαρες χιλιαδες). "Thousands" literally (χιλιας feminine word for a thousand and so εχουσα feminine plural). For the 144,000 see 7:5,8, though some scholars seek a distinction somehow.
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and the voice which I heard [was] as [the voice] of harpers harping with their harps:" — Revelation 14:2 (ASV)
As a voice of many waters (ως φωνην υδατων πολλων). For which see 1:15.Of a great thunder (βροντης μεγαλης). For which see 6:1; 19:6. For this voice out of heaven see 10:4; 14:15; 18:4 and note accusative with ηκουσα.
As the voice of harpers harping with their harps (ως κιθαρωιδων κιθαριζοντων εν ταις κιθαραις αυτων). Triple use of κιθαρα (5:8), κιθαρωιδων (18:22), κιθαριζοντων (old verb κιθαριζω, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 14:7). Wonderful melody in this chorus by the angels, not by the 144,000.
"and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, [even] they that had been purchased out of the earth." — Revelation 14:3 (ASV)
They sing as it were a new song (αιδουσιν ως ωιδην καινην). See 5:9 for this phrase (cognate accusative) save that here ως (as if) is added. There the new song was sung by the four living creatures and the elders, but here "before" (ενωπιον) them and so apparently by the throng who were themselves redeemed by the Lamb.
No man could learn the song save (ουδεις εδυνατο μαθειν την ωιδην ε μη). Imperfect (εδυνατο) of δυναμα and second aorist (ingressive) active infinitive of μανθανω. In 5:9-12 the angels join in the song. In 15:3 it is the Song of Moses and the Lamb.
Even they that had been purchased out of the earth (ο ηγορασμενο απο της γης). Perfect passive articular participle of αγοραζω, purchased by the blood of the Lamb (5:9), masculine plural in apposition with χιλιαδες (thousands) feminine plural (7:5,8; 14:1). Απο (from) here, though εκ (out of) in 5:9. The 144,000 are not yet separated from the earth (John 17:15). Whether the 144,000 here are identical with that number in 7:4-8 or not, they must embrace both men and women.
"These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These [are] they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, [to be] the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb." — Revelation 14:4 (ASV)
Were not defiled with women (μετα γυναικων ουκ εμολυνθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of μολυνω, old verb, to stain, already in 3:4, which see. The use of this word rules out marriage, which was not considered sinful.
For they are virgins (παρθενο γαρ εισιν). Παρθενος can be applied to men as well as women. Swete takes this language "metaphorically, as the symbolical character of the Book suggests." Charles considers it an interpolation in the interest of celibacy for both men and women. If taken literally, the words can refer only to adultery or fornication (Beckwith). Jesus recognised abstinence only for those able to receive it (Matthew 19:12), as did Paul (1 Corinthians 7:1,8,32,36). Marriage is approved by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:3 and by Heb 13:4. The New Testament exalts marriage and this passage should not be construed as degrading it.
Whithersoever he goeth (οπου αν υπαγε). Indefinite local clause with modal αν and the present active indicative of υπαγω. The Christian life is following the Lamb of God as Jesus taught (10:21; Luke 9:59; John 1:43; 21:19, etc.) and as Peter taught (1 Peter 2:21) and John (1 John 2:6).
Were purchased from among men (ηγορασθησαν απο των ανθρωπων). First aorist passive indicative of αγοραζω, repeating the close of verse 3.
First fruits (απαρχη). See for this word 1 Corinthians 16:15; Romans 11:16; 16:5. This seems to mean that the 144,000 represent not the whole, but only a portion of the great harvest to come (Matthew 9:37), not only the first installment, but those marked by high spiritual service to God and the Lamb (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5).
"And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish." — Revelation 14:5 (ASV)
Was found no lie (ουχ ευρεθη ψευδος). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω. In 1 Peter 2:23 this passage (Isaiah 53:9) is quoted with δολος (deceit, guile) instead of ψευδος (lie), but the difference is not great.
Without blemish (αμωμο). Alpha privative and μωμος (blemish, spot). As Christ the Paschal Lamb is (1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:14), so the followers of the Lamb are to be in the end .
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