God’s Word Translation
Revelation 14:4
4These 144,000 virgins are pure. They follow the lamb wherever he goes. They were bought from among humanity as the first ones offered to God and to the lamb.
Revelation 14:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
- New International Version (NIV)These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb.
- English Standard Version (ESV)It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb,
- New King James Version (NKJV)These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.
Context of Revelation 14:4
2Then I heard a sound from heaven like the noise of raging water and the noise of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like the music played by harpists. 3They were singing a new song in front of the throne, the four living creatures, and the leaders. Only the 144,000 people who had been bought on earth could learn the song. These 144,000 virgins are pure. They follow the lamb wherever he goes. They were bought from among humanity as the first ones offered to God and to the lamb. 5They’ve never told a lie. They are blameless. 6I saw another angel flying overhead with the everlasting Good News to spread to those who live on earth—to every nation, tribe, language, and people.
Read all of Revelation 14Revelation 14:4 word by word
οὗτοί εἰσιν οἳ μετὰ γυναικῶν οὐκ ἐμολύνθησαν, παρθένοι γάρ εἰσιν· οὗτοι οἱ ἀκολουθοῦντες τῷ ἀρνίῳ ὅπου ἂν ὑπάγῃ· οὗτοι ἠγοράσθησαν ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀπαρχὴ τῷ θεῷ καὶ τῷ ἀρνίῳ·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- areεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- they whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- wereμολύνωmolunō · to defileG3435
- notοὐou · noG3756
- withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
- womenγυνήgunē · womanG1135
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- virginsπαρθένοςparthenos · virginG3933
- they whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- followἀκολουθέωakoloutheō · to followG190
- the Lambἀρνίονarnion · lambG721
- whithersoeverὅπουhopou · where(-ever)G3699
- ·ἄνan · ifG302
- he goethὑπάγωhupagō · to goG5217
- were redeemedἀγοράζωagorazō · to buyG59
- fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
- among menἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
- the firstfruitsἀπαρχήaparchē · firstfruitsG536
- unto Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- andκαίkai · andG2532
Cross-references for Revelation 14:4
- Psalms 45:14Wearing a colorful gown, she is brought to the king. Her bridesmaids follow her. They will be brought to you.
- Matthew 25:1“When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25Concerning virgins: Even though I don’t have any command from the Lord, I’ll give you my opinion. I’m a person to whom the Lord has shown mercy, so I can be trusted.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2I’m as protective of you as God is. After all, you’re a virgin whom I promised in marriage to one man—Christ.
- 1 Timothy 4:3They will try to stop others from getting married and from eating certain foods. God created food to be received with prayers of thanks by those who believe and know the truth.
- Revelation 3:4But you have a few people in Sardis who have kept their clothes clean. They will walk with me in white clothes because they deserve it.
- Revelation 7:15That is why they are in front of the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
- Revelation 17:14They will go to war against the lamb. The lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those who are called, chosen, and faithful are with him.”
- Matthew 8:19An expert in Moses’ Teachings came to him and said, “Teacher, I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
- Luke 9:57As they were walking along the road, a man said to Jesus, “I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
- John 8:12Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have a life filled with light and will never live in the dark.”
- John 10:27My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me,
- John 12:26Those who serve me must follow me. My servants will be with me wherever I will be. If people serve me, the Father will honor them.
- John 13:37Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I’ll give my life for you.”
- Revelation 5:9Then they sang a new song, “You deserve to take the scroll and open the seals on it, because you were slaughtered. You bought people with your blood to be God’s own. They are from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
- Psalms 74:2Remember your congregation. Long ago you made it your own. You bought this tribe to be your possession. This tribe is Mount Zion, where you have made your home.
Commentaries on Revelation 14:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4These are they which were not defiled with women - They are pure from idolatry, and are presented as unspotted virgins to their Lord and Savior Christ. See 2 Corinthians 11:2. There may be an allusion here to the Israelites committing idolatry, through the means of their criminal connection with the Midianitish women. See Numbers 25:1-4; Numbers 31:16. Follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth - They go through good and through evil report, bear his…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4These are they - In this verse, and in the following verse, the writer states the leading characteristics of those who are saved. The general idea is, that they are chaste; that they are the followers of the Lamb; that they are redeemed from among people; and that they are without guile. Which were not defiled with women - Who were chaste. The word “defiled” here determines the meaning of the passage, as denoting that they were not guilty of illicit…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5These warriors were ceremonially pure (not … defiled) and morally blameless. for they are virgins: Referring to men as virgins is a metaphor for the faithfulness of God’s people. The image might refer to the church as the virgin bride of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25–27). It also suggests that the church members are like soldiers in a holy war who must abstain from sexual intercourse (see Deuteronomy 23:9–10; 1 Samuel 21:5). These…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. virgins--spiritually (Mt 25:1); in contrast to the apostate Church, Babylon (Re 14:8), spiritually "a harlot" (Re 17:1-5; Is 1:21; contrast 2Co 11:2; Ep 5:25-27). Their not being defiled with women means they were not led astray from Christian faithfulness by the tempters who jointly constitute the spiritual "harlot." follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth--in glory, being especially near His person; the fitting reward of their following Him so fully…Read the comment
Topics related to Revelation 14:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Revelation 14
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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