Revelation 7:13

Revelation 7:13 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
• New International Version (NIV)Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

Context of Revelation 7:13

11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the [twenty-four] elders and the four living creatures; and they fell to their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and majesty and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are dressed in the long white robes—who are they, and from where did they come?” 14I said to him, “My lord, you know [the answer].” And he said to me, “These are the people who come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb [because of His atoning sacrifice]. 15For this reason, they are [standing] before the throne of God; and they serve Him [in worship] day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence].

Revelation 7:13 word by word

Καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς ἐκ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων λέγων μοι· οὗτοι οἱ περιβεβλημένοι τὰς στολὰς τὰς λευκάς, τίνες εἰσὶν καὶ πόθεν ἦλθον;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• the eldersπρεσβύτεροςpresbuteros · elder (leader)G4245
• answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• unto meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• What are theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• whichτίςtis · which?G5101
• areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• arrayedπεριβάλλωperiballō · to clotheG4016
• in whiteλευκόςleukos · whiteG3022
• robesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• robesστολήstolē · robeG4749
• whence cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
• theyπόθενpothen · whenceG4159

Cross-references for Revelation 7:13

• Revelation 4:4Twenty-four [other] thrones surrounded the throne; and seated on these thrones were twenty-four elders dressed in white clothing, with crowns of gold on their heads.
• Revelation 5:5Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.”
• Revelation 7:9After these things I looked, and this is what I saw: a vast multitude which no one could count, [gathered] from every nation and from all the tribes and peoples and languages [of the earth], standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Christ), dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands;
• Genesis 16:8And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from and where are you going?” And she said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.”
• Judges 13:6Then the woman went and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me and his appearance was like the appearance of the Angel of God, very awesome. I did not ask Him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
• John 7:28Then Jesus called out as He taught in the temple, “You know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come on my own initiative [as self-appointed], but He who sent Me is true, and Him you do not know.

Commentaries on Revelation 7:13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13One of the elders answered - A Hebraism for spoke. The question is here asked, that the proposer may have the opportunity of answering it.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13And one of the elders - See the notes on Revelation 4:4. That is, as there understood, one of the representatives of the church before the throne. Answered - The word “answer,” with us, means “to reply to something which has been said.” In the Bible, however, the word is not infrequently used in the beginning of a speech, where nothing has been said - as if it were a reply to something that might be said on the subject; or to something that is passing…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright. Those who would gain knowledge, must not be ashamed to seek instruction from any who can give it. The way to heaven is through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation makes heaven more welcome and more glorious. It is not the blood of the martyrs, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-17The second vision in the interlude shows heaven filled with a crowd so large that no one can count it. They rejoice because they are safe in Christ, and all their tears and sorrows have ended.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. answered--namely, to my thoughts; spoke, asking the question which might have been expected to arise in John's mind from what has gone before. One of the twenty-four elders, representing the Old and New Testament ministry, appropriately acts as interpreter of this vision of the glorified Church. What, &c.--Greek order, "These which are arrayed in white robes, WHO are they?"Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 7:13

• Angel (a Spirit)
• Colors
• Elder
• Heaven
• Jesus Continued
• Persecution
• Righteous
• Robe
• Throne

In the dictionaries

• Light
• Tribe
• Apocalyptic Literature
• Array
• Color; Colors
• Ethics
• Gad (1)
• Gideon
• Immortal; Immortality
• Joash (1)

Commentaries on Revelation 7

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings