REV 4:1-4

The Throne in Heaven

1After these things I looked, and behold — an opened door in heaven. And the first voice that I heard, which was like a trumpet speaking with me, said: 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.'

2Immediately I was in the Spirit. And behold — a throne was set in heaven, and one seated upon the throne.

3And the one seated was in appearance like jasper and carnelian stone, and around the throne was a rainbow in appearance like emerald.

4And around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated upon the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, and on their heads were golden crowns.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st century, visions of heavenly thrones were deeply rooted in Jewish apocalyptic literature, such as Daniel and Ezekiel, which depicted God’s sovereignty over earthly powers. The imagery of a throne surrounded by 24 elders would evoke the 24 priestly divisions of the Jerusalem Temple (1 Chronicles 24:7-18), suggesting divine order and worship. The description of the One seated on the throne with jasper and sardius stones recalls the high priest’s breastplate (Exodus 28:17-20), symbolizing divine authority and covenant faithfulness. The rainbow, reminiscent of Noah’s covenant (Genesis 9:13-17), signifies God’s enduring mercy. The elders, dressed in white and crowned, reflect Greco-Roman honorific practices, where crowns symbolized victory and status, while white garments often denoted purity or heavenly beings. The trumpet-like voice aligns with Jewish tradition, where trumpets signaled divine revelation or judgment (Exodus 19:16, Joel 2:1). For early readers, this vision affirmed God’s ultimate authority amidst Roman imperial claims and Jewish Temple-centered worship.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

REV 4:1

KJV: After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
BSB: After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things.”
Koinōnos: After these things I looked, and behold — an opened door in heaven. And the first voice that I heard, which was like a trumpet speaking with me, said: 'Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.

REV 4:2

KJV: And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
BSB: At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
Koinōnos: Immediately I was in the Spirit. And behold — a throne was set in heaven, and one seated upon the throne.

REV 4:3

KJV: And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
BSB: The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne.
Koinōnos: And the one seated was in appearance like jasper and carnelian stone, and around the throne was a rainbow in appearance like emerald.

REV 4:4

KJV: And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
BSB: Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.
Koinōnos: And around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated upon the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, and on their heads were golden crowns.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

REV 4:1

was speaking:The word translated 'was speaking' often implies an ongoing, informal conversation or utterance, rather than a formal speech or declaration. It suggests a continuous sound or voice.

REV 4:2

in:The term translated 'in' here refers to being under the influence or control of the Spirit, indicating a state of spiritual inspiration or ecstasy, not merely a physical location.
a throne:The word translated 'a throne' literally means 'to lie' or 'to be placed,' emphasizing the established and fixed nature of the throne, rather than just its existence.

REV 4:4

<the>:The word translated 'elders' refers to mature, respected leaders within a community, often holding positions of authority and wisdom, similar to a council of respected figures.