Revelation 22:18

Revelation 22:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
• New International Version (NIV)I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

Context of Revelation 22:18

16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.” 17The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost. I testify and warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book [its predictions, consolations, and admonitions]: if anyone adds [anything] to them, God will add to him the plagues (afflictions, calamities) which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from or distorts the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away [from that one] his share from the tree of life and from the holy city (new Jerusalem), which are written in this book. 20He who testifies and affirms these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:18 word by word

Μαρτυρῶ ἐγὼ παντὶ τῷ ἀκούοντι τοὺς λόγους τῆς προφητείας τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου· ἐάν τις ἐπιθῇ ἐπ᾽ αὐτά, ἐπιθήσει ὁ θεὸς ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν τὰς πληγὰς τὰς γεγραμμένας ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τούτῳ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• I testifyσυμμαρτυρέωsummartureō · to testify withG4828
• unto every manπᾶςpas · allG3956
• that hearethἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• the wordsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the wordsλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• of the prophecyπροφητείαprophēteia · prophecyG4394
• of thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• bookβιβλίονbiblion · scrollG975
• Ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• shall addἐπιτίθημιepitithēmi · to put/lay onG2007
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• untoἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• the plaguesπληγήplēgē · plague/blow/woundG4127
• that are writtenγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722

Cross-references for Revelation 22:18

• Revelation 22:16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.”
• Revelation 3:14“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:
• Ephesians 4:17So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls],
• 1 Thessalonians 4:6and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you.
• Revelation 1:3Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near.
• Deuteronomy 4:2You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you.
• Deuteronomy 12:32“Everything I command you, you shall be careful to do it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words, Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.
• Matthew 15:6he is not to honor his father or his mother [by helping them with their need].’ So by this you have invalidated the word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect] for the sake of your tradition [handed down by the elders].
• Revelation 14:10he too will [have to] drink of the wine of the wrath of God, mixed undiluted into the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone (flaming sulfur) in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb (Christ).
• Revelation 15:1Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and wonderful [a warning of terrifying and horrible events]: seven angels who had seven plagues (afflictions, calamities), which are the last, because with them the wrath of God is finished [that is, it is completely expressed and reaches its zenith].
• Revelation 16:1Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath and indignation of God.”
• Revelation 19:20And the beast (Antichrist) was seized and overpowered, and with him the false prophet who, in his presence, had performed [amazing] signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were hurled alive into the lake of fire which blazes with brimstone.
• Revelation 20:10And the devil who had deceived them was hurled into the lake of fire and burning brimstone (sulfur), where the beast (Antichrist) and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever.
• Leviticus 26:18If in spite of all this you still will not listen to Me and be obedient, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

Commentaries on Revelation 22:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18If any man shall add - Shall give any other meaning to these prophecies, or any other application of them than God intends, he, though not originally intended, shall have the plagues threatened in this book for his portion.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18For I testify - The writer does not specify who is meant by the word “I” in this place. The most natural construction is to refer it to the writer himself, and not to the angel, or the Saviour. The meaning is, “I bear this solemn witness, or make this solemn affirmation, in conclusion.” The object is to guard his book against being corrupted by any interpolation or change. It would seem not improbable, from this, that as early as the time of John, books…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-19Verses 6-19 The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-19I testify: John swears to protect the integrity of the Book of Revelation. He curses anyone who changes the book's content or message (compare Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32). This curse contrasts with the blessing for those who read aloud, listen to, and follow the prophecy (Revelation 1:3). When Revelation was written, scribes sometimes changed books to fit their views. Early Christians quickly developed ways to verify messages and messengers (see John 21:24; 1…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. For I testify--None of our manuscripts have this. A, B, Vulgate, and Andreas read, "I" emphatic in the Greek. "I testify." unto these things--A, B, and Andreas read, "unto them." add ... add--just retribution in kind.Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 22:18

• Plague
• Readings, Select
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Either
• Filthy
• Offspring
• Star
• Whosoever
• Works, Good
• Add
• Assemblies, Masters of

Commentaries on Revelation 22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings