A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Revelation 5
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals." — Revelation 5:1 (ASV)
In the right hand (επ την δεξιαν). "Upon the right hand" (επ, not εν), the open palm. Anthropomorphic language drawn from Eze 2:9f.
A book (βιβλιον). Diminutive of βιβλος, but no longer so used, βιβλαριδιον occurring instead (10:2).
Written (γεγραμμενον). Perfect passive predicate participle of γραφω.
Within and on the back (εσωθεν κα οπισθεν). "Within and behind." Description of a roll like that in Lu 4:17, not a codex as some scholars think. Usually these papyrus rolls were written only on the inside, but this one was so full of matter that it was written also on the back side (οπισθεν), and so was an οπισθογραφον like that in Eze 2:10. There are many allegorical interpretations of this fact which are all beside the point.
Sealed (κατεσφραγισμενον). Perfect passive predicate participle of κατασφραγιζω, old compound (perfective use of κατα), to seal up (down), here only in N.T.
With seven seals (σφραγισιν επτα). Instrumental case of σφραγις, old word used in various senses, proof or authentication (1 Corinthians 9:2; Romans 4:11), signet-ring (Revelation 7:2), impression made by the seal (Revelation 9:4; 2 Timothy 2:19), the seal on books closing the book (Revelation 5:1,2,5,9; 6:1,3,5,7,9,12; 8:1). "A will in Roman law bore the seven seals of the seven witnesses" (Charles). But this sealed book of doom calls for no witnesses beyond God's own will. Alford sees in the number seven merely the completeness of God's purposes.
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" — Revelation 5:2 (ASV)
A strong angel (αγγελον ισχυρον). One needed (10:1; 18:21) "whose call could reach to the farthest limits of the universe" (Beckwith) and so "with a great voice" (εν φωνη μεγαλη, in a great voice, as in 14:7,9,15, and without εν 5:12; 6:10; 7:2,10; 8:13; 10:3, etc.). See εν ισχυρα φωνη (18:2).
Proclaiming (κηρυσσοντα). Present active predicate participle of κηρυσσω, to herald, to preach.
Worthy to open and to loose (αξιος ανοιξα κα λυσα). Worthy by rank and character (cf. John 1:27) as well as by ability (εδυνατο, verse 3), followed by two infinitives (first aorist active) of ανοιγω and λυω, though ινα and the subjunctive can be used after αξιος as in Joh 1:27. Here αξιος is like ικανος (capable, qualified) as in Mt 8:8. The articles here (το, τας) refer to the book and the seals in verse 1. It is a husteron-proteron, since the loosing of the seals precedes the opening of the book.
"And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon." — Revelation 5:3 (ASV)
Εν (in) with locative (ουρανω), επ (upon) with genitive (γης), υποκατω (under) with ablative (γης), as in verse 13, including the whole universe, as in Ex 20:4 . The MSS. vary in the negative conjunctions after ουδεις (no one) between ουδε--ουδε (continuative, and not--nor) and ουτε--ουτε (disjunctive, neither--nor).
To look thereon (βλεπειν αυτο). Into the contents of the book. The universe declines the challenge.
"And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:" — Revelation 5:4 (ASV)
I wept much (εγω εκλαιον πολυ). Imperfect active of κλαιω, picturesque, descriptive, I kept on weeping much; natural tense in these vivid visions (1:12; 2:14; 5:4,14; 6:8,9; 10:10; 19:14; 21:15). Perhaps weeping aloud.
Was found (ευρεθη). First aorist passive indicative of ευρισκω.
Worthy (αξιος). Predicative nominative after ευρεθη.
"and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof." — Revelation 5:5 (ASV)
One of the elders (εις εκ των πρεσβυτερων). "One from among the elders" of 4:4,10 (εκ with the ablative 8 times in the Apocalypse, 12 in the Fourth Gospel, 10 in rest of the N.T., in place of the mere partitive genitive). No particular reason for one elder as the agent over another (7:13).
Saith (λεγε). Dramatic vivid present.
Weep not (μη κλαιε). "Cease weeping" (prohibition with μη and the present active imperative of κλαιω.
The Lion (ο λεων). Satan is called a lion by Peter (1 Peter 5:8), but the metaphor belongs to Jesus also. Judah is called a lion in the blessing of Jacob (Genesis 49:9) and Jesus as the greatest of the tribe of Judah, "the Root of David" (η ριζα Δαυειδ, Isaiah 11:1,10) or the Branch from this root (the Messiah).
Hath overcome (ενικησεν). First aorist active indicative of νικαω, "did overcome," coming first in the sentence as "the great historical fact of the victory of the Christ" (Swete).
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