11And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and the one seated on it called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. [19:12] His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many royal diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows except himself. [19:13] And he is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. [19:14] And the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses. [19:15] And from his mouth proceeds a sharp, broad sword, so that with it he may strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron rod, and he treads the winepress of the wine of the fierce indignation of God, the Almighty. [19:16] And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
REV 19:11-16
The Rider on the White Horse
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Roman Empire, the imagery of a rider on a white horse would evoke immediate associations with military triumph and imperial power. Roman generals and emperors often rode white horses in triumphal processions, symbolizing victory and authority. The description of the rider as 'Faithful and True' contrasts sharply with the often deceitful and self-serving claims of Roman rulers, who frequently used titles like 'Savior' and 'Lord' to bolster their legitimacy. The 'diadems' on the rider’s head signify royal authority, but unlike the singular diadem of a Roman emperor, the multiple crowns suggest universal dominion. The 'sword' protruding from the rider’s mouth symbolizes not physical warfare but divine judgment through the spoken word, a concept familiar in Jewish apocalyptic literature. The 'garment dipped in blood' evokes Isaiah’s imagery of divine vengeance (Isaiah 63:1-3), resonating with Jewish listeners who longed for God’s justice against oppressive powers. The heavenly armies, clad in white linen, reflect purity and divine sanction, contrasting with the corrupt legions of Rome.
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How other translations render this
REV 19:11
- KJV
- And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
- BSB
- Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
- Koinōnos
- And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and the one seated on it called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war.
REV 19:12
- KJV
- His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
- BSB
- He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.
- Koinōnos
- His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many royal diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows except himself.
REV 19:13
- KJV
- And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
- BSB
- He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.
- Koinōnos
- And he is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.
REV 19:14
- KJV
- And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
- BSB
- The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.
- Koinōnos
- And the armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, followed him on white horses.
REV 19:15
- KJV
- And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
- BSB
- And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.
- Koinōnos
- And from his mouth proceeds a sharp, broad sword, so that with it he may strike the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron rod, and he treads the winepress of the wine of the fierce indignation of God, the Almighty.
REV 19:16
- KJV
- And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
- BSB
- And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
- Koinōnos
- And on his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 19:11
- being called:The word translated 'being called' here implies a deep trustworthiness and reliability, suggesting that the one being described is utterly dependable and true to their word.
REV 19:12
- of Him:The term used here for 'of Him' refers to a royal headband or diadem, specifically a symbol of kingship and imperial authority, rather than a general crown.
REV 19:15
- a sword:The word translated 'a sword' here refers to a large, broad, and often heavy sword, typically associated with Thracian warriors, emphasizing its formidable and destructive nature.
- of the:The word translated 'of the' here carries a sense of intense, passionate anger or indignation, often with a sudden outburst, rather than a more subdued or prolonged wrath.