Revelation / Chapter 14

Revelation 14

20 verses • SBL Greek New Testament

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Revelation 14 presents a series of contrasting visions. First, the Lamb stands on Mount Zion with 144,000 redeemed saints singing a new song. Then three angels proclaim messages in sequence: the eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon, and a warning against taking the beast's mark. A voice from heaven pronounces blessing on those who die in the Lord. Finally, two harvest visions close the chapter — one of grain reaped by the Son of Man, and one of grapes thrown into 'the great winepress of God's wrath,' producing blood as deep as a horse's bridle.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The chapter functions as an intermission between the beast visions (ch. 13) and the bowl judgments (chs. 15-16), providing heavenly perspective on earthly events. The 144,000 reappear from chapter 7, now seen in their triumphant state. The three angel messages (vv. 6-11) form a triptych of proclamation that has been extraordinarily influential in Christian history. The harvest imagery draws on Joel 3:13 and Isaiah 63:1-6, with the winepress producing blood to the depth of about 180 miles — a hyperbolically horrifying image of judgment.

Translation Friction

The 144,000 who 'have not defiled themselves with women' (v. 4) has been interpreted as literal celibacy, spiritual purity (faithfulness to God), or metaphorical virginity (not participating in idolatrous worship). We render the Greek directly and note the interpretive options. The grain harvest (vv. 14-16) and grape harvest (vv. 17-20) may represent different aspects of judgment, or grain may symbolize salvation and grapes judgment.

Connections

Mount Zion connects to Psalm 2:6 and Isaiah 24:23. The new song recalls Psalms 33:3, 96:1, and 149:1. The harvest imagery draws on Joel 3:13, Isaiah 63:1-6, and Jesus's harvest parables (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43). The winepress of God's wrath anticipates 19:15. The declaration 'Fallen is Babylon' echoes Isaiah 21:9 and anticipates chapters 17-18.

Revelation 14:1

Καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ ἀρνίον ἑστὸς ἐπὶ τὸ ὄρος Σιών, καὶ μετ' αὐτοῦ ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες ἔχουσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ γεγραμμένον ἐπὶ τῶν μετώπων αὐτῶν.

Then I looked, and there was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

KJV And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The SBLGNT includes both the Lamb's name and the Father's name on the foreheads, in contrast to the KJV which mentions only the Father's name. This double name stands in direct contrast to the beast's mark on the foreheads of its followers (13:16). Mount Zion represents God's chosen dwelling place (Psalm 2:6, 48:2), and the Lamb's standing there asserts sovereign authority over the territory the beast claims.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Psalm 2:6. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 14:2

καὶ ἤκουσα φωνὴν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν καὶ ὡς φωνὴν βροντῆς μεγάλης, καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἣν ἤκουσα ὡς κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις αὐτῶν.

I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the sound I heard was like harpists playing their harps.

KJV And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Three similes describe the heavenly sound: rushing waters (cf. Ezekiel 1:24, 43:2), thunder (associated with divine presence), and harp music (associated with worship). The combination of overwhelming power and musical beauty reflects the dual nature of the heavenly reality — both awesome and beautiful.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Ezekiel 1:24. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 14:3

καὶ ᾄδουσιν ᾠδὴν καινὴν ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου καὶ ἐνώπιον τῶν τεσσάρων ζῴων καὶ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων· καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο μαθεῖν τὴν ᾠδὴν εἰ μὴ αἱ ἑκατὸν τεσσεράκοντα τέσσαρες χιλιάδες, οἱ ἠγορασμένοι ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς.

They were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders, and no one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

KJV And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The 'new song' (ōdē kainē) is a recurring biblical motif (Psalm 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 144:9, 149:1) signaling a new act of God's deliverance. The Greek ēgorasmenoi ('redeemed, purchased') uses commercial language — these were 'bought' from the earth, the purchase price being the Lamb's blood (cf. 5:9). Only those who have experienced this redemption can sing this song — the content is inseparable from the experience.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Psalm 33:3 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 14:4

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,

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. They were redeemed from among humanity as firstfruits for God and for the Lamb.

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.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ἀπαρχή aparchē
"firstfruits" — firstfruits, first portion, beginning of a harvest

In the Levitical system, firstfruits were the initial portion of the harvest offered to God, consecrating the entire crop. The 144,000 as firstfruits implies a larger harvest to follow.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek parthenoi ('virgins') applied to males is unusual. Three main interpretations exist: (1) literal celibacy as a form of military consecration (cf. Deuteronomy 23:9-10, 1 Samuel 21:4-5); (2) metaphorical sexual purity representing spiritual faithfulness — not participating in the 'fornication' of idolatrous Babylon (cf. 17:2, 18:3); (3) a broader metaphor for covenant faithfulness, since the Old Testament often portrays idolatry as sexual unfaithfulness. The term 'firstfruits' (aparchē) comes from Israel's agricultural offering system (Leviticus 23:10) — the first portion, dedicated to God, that consecrates the whole harvest.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Deuteronomy 23:9-10. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes 1 Samuel 21:4-5. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
  4. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Leviticus 23:10. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 14:5

καὶ ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτῶν οὐχ εὑρέθη ψεῦδος· ἄμωμοί εἰσιν.

No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

KJV And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek pseudos ('lie, falsehood') connects to the dragon's identity as deceiver (12:9) and to the exclusion of liars from the New Jerusalem (21:27, 22:15). The word amōmoi ('blameless, without blemish') is sacrificial language — it describes unblemished animals fit for offering (cf. Leviticus 1:3, 1 Peter 1:19). The SBLGNT omits 'before the throne of God' found in some manuscripts and the KJV.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Leviticus 1:3 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 14:6

Καὶ εἶδον ἄλλον ἄγγελον πετόμενον ἐν μεσουρανήματι, ἔχοντα εὐαγγέλιον αἰώνιον εὐαγγελίσαι ἐπὶ τοὺς καθημένους ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶν ἔθνος καὶ φυλὴν καὶ γλῶσσαν καὶ λαόν,

Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, carrying an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation and tribe and language and people.

KJV And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

εὐαγγέλιον αἰώνιον euangelion aiōnion
"eternal gospel" — eternal good news, everlasting glad tidings

The only occurrence of 'eternal gospel' in the New Testament. The adjective aiōnion indicates this message transcends all time — it was true before creation and will remain true forever.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek euangelion aiōnion ('eternal gospel/good news') is striking — even at the hour of judgment, the message remains 'good news.' The angel flies in mesouranēma ('midheaven,' the zenith of the sky), ensuring maximum visibility and audibility. The fourfold universal formula (nation, tribe, language, people) appears in a different order from 13:7, perhaps emphasizing universality through variation.
Revelation 14:7

λέγων ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Φοβήθητε τὸν θεὸν καὶ δότε αὐτῷ δόξαν, ὅτι ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα τῆς κρίσεως αὐτοῦ, καὶ προσκυνήσατε τῷ ποιήσαντι τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ θάλασσαν καὶ πηγὰς ὑδάτων.

He said with a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water."

KJV Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The angel's proclamation is essentially a call to creation-worship — worship the Creator, not the creature. The fourfold creation catalogue (heaven, earth, sea, springs) echoes Exodus 20:11 and Psalm 146:6. In the context of beast-worship (ch. 13), this is a radical counter-claim: the only one worthy of worship is the Maker of all things. The 'hour of judgment' (hōra tēs kriseōs) recalls Jesus's language in John 12:31.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Exodus 20:11. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Psalm 146:6. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 14:8

Καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος δεύτερος ἠκολούθησεν λέγων· Ἔπεσεν ἔπεσεν Βαβυλὼν ἡ μεγάλη, ἣ ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς πορνείας αὐτῆς πεπότικεν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη.

A second angel followed, saying, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great — she who made all the nations drink the wine of the fury of her sexual immorality."

KJV And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The doubled 'fallen, fallen' (epesen epesen) quotes Isaiah 21:9, where it announces historical Babylon's fall. The metaphor is layered: Babylon's 'wine' represents both the intoxicating allure of her idolatry and empire, and the wrath (thymos) that results from drinking it. The Greek porneia ('sexual immorality, fornication') is used throughout Revelation as a metaphor for idolatrous allegiance — spiritual unfaithfulness to God. This brief announcement anticipates the extended Babylon oracle in chapters 17-18.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References Isaiah 21:9 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 14:9

Καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος τρίτος ἠκολούθησεν αὐτοῖς λέγων ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ· Εἴ τις προσκυνεῖ τὸ θηρίον καὶ τὴν εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ, καὶ λαμβάνει χάραγμα ἐπὶ τοῦ μετώπου αὐτοῦ ἢ ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ,

A third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on their forehead or on their hand,

KJV And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The third angel's message is the most severe warning in Revelation, extending through verse 11. The three conditions — worshiping the beast, worshiping its image, receiving its mark — are parallel expressions of the same allegiance. This directly answers the economic coercion of 13:16-17 by declaring the eternal consequences of compliance.
Revelation 14:10

καὶ αὐτὸς πίεται ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ κεκερασμένου ἀκράτου ἐν τῷ ποτηρίῳ τῆς ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ βασανισθήσεται ἐν πυρὶ καὶ θείῳ ἐνώπιον ἀγγέλων ἁγίων καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ ἀρνίου.

Indeed, the same will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. Then he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:.

KJV The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek akratou ('unmixed, full strength') refers to wine not diluted with water — in the ancient world, wine was normally mixed. Unmixed wine meant maximum intensity. The combination of thymos ('fury, passion') and orgē ('wrath, settled anger') in the same phrase is unique and emphatic. Fire and sulfur (theion, 'brimstone/sulfur') recall the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24). The judgment occurs 'in the presence of' (enōpion) the Lamb — the one who offered mercy that was refused now witnesses the consequences of refusal.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Genesis 19:24 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 14:11

καὶ ὁ καπνὸς τοῦ βασανισμοῦ αὐτῶν εἰς αἰῶνας αἰώνων ἀναβαίνει, καὶ οὐκ ἔχουσιν ἀνάπαυσιν ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς οἱ προσκυνοῦντες τὸ θηρίον καὶ τὴν εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἴ τις λαμβάνει τὸ χάραγμα τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ.

The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night — those who worship the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."

KJV And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase eis aiōnas aiōnōn ('to the ages of ages, forever and ever') is the strongest expression of unending duration in Greek. The image of smoke ascending echoes Isaiah 34:10 (the destruction of Edom). The 'no rest day or night' contrasts sharply with the four living creatures who worship God 'day and night' (4:8) — perpetual torment mirrors perpetual worship in tragic inversion.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Isaiah 34:10. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 14:12

Ὧδε ἡ ὑπομονὴ τῶν ἁγίων ἐστίν, οἱ τηροῦντες τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τὴν πίστιν Ἰησοῦ.

Here is the endurance of the saints — those who keep God's commands and their faith in Jesus.

KJV Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This echoes the same double identification from 12:17: keeping God's commands and holding faith in Jesus. The Greek pistin Iēsou could be 'faith in Jesus' (objective genitive) or 'the faithfulness of Jesus' (subjective genitive). Both readings are theologically valid — the saints endure because they trust Jesus and because they share in his pattern of faithfulness.
Revelation 14:13

Καὶ ἤκουσα φωνῆς ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ λεγούσης· Γράψον· Μακάριοι οἱ νεκροὶ οἱ ἐν κυρίῳ ἀποθνῄσκοντες ἀπ' ἄρτι. ναί, λέγει τὸ πνεῦμα, ἵνα ἀναπαήσονται ἐκ τῶν κόπων αὐτῶν· τὰ γὰρ ἔργα αὐτῶν ἀκολουθεῖ μετ' αὐτῶν.

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them."

KJV And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This is the second of seven beatitudes in Revelation (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14). The phrase 'from now on' (ap' arti) may mean 'from this point in the visionary narrative' or 'from this eschatological moment.' The Spirit confirms and expands the heavenly voice — a rare dialogue between heaven and the Spirit. The 'rest' (anapausontai) directly contrasts with the 'no rest' of beast-worshipers in verse 11. Their 'deeds follow them' — good works are not left behind at death but accompany the faithful into God's presence.
Revelation 14:14

Καὶ εἶδον, καὶ ἰδοὺ νεφέλη λευκή, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν νεφέλην καθήμενον ὅμοιον υἱὸν ἀνθρώπου, ἔχων ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ στέφανον χρυσοῦν καὶ ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ δρέπανον ὀξύ.

Then I looked, and there was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man, with a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.

KJV And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase 'one like a son of man' (homoion huion anthrōpou) comes from Daniel 7:13, where a human-like figure receives dominion from the Ancient of Days. This same phrase opens Revelation in 1:13. The golden crown (stephanos) is a victor's wreath, not a royal diadem. The sickle (drepanon) introduces the harvest metaphor that will dominate the rest of the chapter, drawing on Joel 3:13.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Daniel 7:13. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Joel 3:13. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 14:15

καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ, κράζων ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ τῷ καθημένῳ ἐπὶ τῆς νεφέλης· Πέμψον τὸ δρέπανόν σου καὶ θέρισον, ὅτι ἦλθεν ἡ ὥρα θερίσαι, ὅτι ἐξηράνθη ὁ θερισμὸς τῆς γῆς.

Another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is fully ripe."

KJV And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The angel comes from the temple (naos), indicating the command originates with God. The Greek exēranthē ('is dried, is fully ripe') literally means 'has dried out' — grain is harvested when it dries on the stalk. Whether this grain harvest represents salvation (gathering the elect) or judgment (or both) is debated. The distinction between the grain harvest (vv. 14-16) and grape harvest (vv. 17-20) may parallel Jesus's parable of wheat and tares (Matthew 13:24-30).
Revelation 14:16

καὶ ἔβαλεν ὁ καθήμενος ἐπὶ τῆς νεφέλης τὸ δρέπανον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἐθερίσθη ἡ γῆ.

So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

KJV And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The brevity of this verse is striking — no details are given about the harvest's outcome or destination. The passive 'was harvested' (etheristhē) leaves the result unstated, creating a deliberate pause before the far more graphic grape harvest that follows.
Revelation 14:17

Καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ ναοῦ τοῦ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, ἔχων καὶ αὐτὸς δρέπανον ὀξύ.

Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.

KJV And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This angel carries a sickle like the Son of Man figure, but the harvest he will perform is explicitly one of wrath. The specification 'the temple in heaven' (tou naou tou en tō ouranō) emphasizes the heavenly origin of this judgment.
Revelation 14:18

καὶ ἄλλος ἄγγελος ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου, ὁ ἔχων ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρός, καὶ ἐφώνησεν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ τῷ ἔχοντι τὸ δρέπανον τὸ ὀξὺ λέγων· Πέμψον σου τὸ δρέπανον τὸ ὀξὺ καὶ τρύγησον τοὺς βότρυας τῆς ἀμπέλου τῆς γῆς, ὅτι ἤκμασαν αἱ σταφυλαὶ αὐτῆς.

Still another angel came from the altar — the one who has authority over fire — and he called with a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, "Put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe."

KJV And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The angel from the altar connects to 6:9-10, where the souls under the altar cry for justice, and to 8:3-5, where fire from the altar is hurled to earth. The altar-angel's authority over fire links judgment to the prayers of the martyrs. The verb ēkmasan ('are ripe') literally means 'have reached their peak' — the grapes are at maximum ripeness, meaning the wickedness of the earth has reached its full measure.
Revelation 14:19

καὶ ἔβαλεν ὁ ἄγγελος τὸ δρέπανον αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν γῆν, καὶ ἐτρύγησεν τὴν ἄμπελον τῆς γῆς καὶ ἔβαλεν εἰς τὴν ληνὸν τοῦ θυμοῦ τοῦ θεοῦ τὸν μέγαν.

So the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of God's wrath.

KJV And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The winepress (lēnos) as a metaphor for divine judgment comes from Isaiah 63:1-6, where God treads the winepress alone and the nations' lifeblood spatters his garments. The phrase 'the great winepress of God's wrath' (tēn lēnon tou thymou tou theou ton megan) uses thymos ('fury, passionate wrath'), emphasizing the intensity of divine judgment. This image returns in 19:15.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Isaiah 63:1-6. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 14:20

καὶ ἐπατήθη ἡ ληνὸς ἔξωθεν τῆς πόλεως, καὶ ἐξῆλθεν αἷμα ἐκ τῆς ληνοῦ ἄχρι τῶν χαλινῶν τῶν ἵππων, ἀπὸ σταδίων χιλίων ἑξακοσίων.

The winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress as high as a horse's bridle for a distance of one thousand six hundred stadia.

KJV And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The location 'outside the city' may echo the tradition that Jesus suffered 'outside the gate' (Hebrews 13:12) or the Joel 3 judgment in the Valley of Jehoshaphat outside Jerusalem. The scale is deliberately apocalyptic and hyperbolic: blood reaching horse-bridle depth (about four and a half feet) for 1,600 stadia (approximately 184 miles, or roughly the length of Palestine). The number 1,600 may be symbolic: 4 x 4 x 100, representing the four corners of the earth squared and multiplied — totality of judgment. A stadion is approximately 607 feet (185 meters).
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Joel 3 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
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