New English Translation
Revelation 14:4
4These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits 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
2I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, 3and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, 5and no lie was found on their lips; they are blameless. 6Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the 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 45:14In embroidered robes she is escorted to the king. Her attendants, the maidens of honor who follow her, are led before you.
- Matthew 25:1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- 1 Timothy 4:3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- Revelation 3:4But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.
- Revelation 7:15For this reason they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them.
- Revelation 17:14They will make war with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those accompanying the Lamb are the called, chosen, and faithful.”
- Matthew 8:19Then an expert in the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
- Luke 9:57As they were walking along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
- John 8:12Then Jesus spoke out again, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- John 10:27My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- John 12:26If anyone wants to serve me, he must follow me, and where I am, my servant will be too. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
- John 13:37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!”
- Revelation 5:9They were singing a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were killed, and at the cost of your own blood you have purchased for God persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.
- Psalms 74:2Remember your people whom you acquired in ancient times, whom you rescued so they could be your very own nation, as well as Mount Zion, where you dwell!
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
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