New International Version
Revelation 14:4
4These 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)They have kept themselves as pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb.
Context of Revelation 14:4
2And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 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. 5No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. 6Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the 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 garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her— those brought to be with her.
- 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 7:25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
- 1 Timothy 4:3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
- Revelation 3:4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.
- Revelation 7:15Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
- Revelation 17:14They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
- Matthew 8:19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
- Luke 9:57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
- John 8:12When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
- John 10:27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
- John 12:26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
- John 13:37Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
- Revelation 5:9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
- Psalms 74:2Remember the nation you purchased long ago, the people of your inheritance, whom you redeemed— Mount Zion, where you dwelt.
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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