Revelation 1:16 kjv

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Revelation 1:16 nkjv

He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

Revelation 1:16 niv

In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Revelation 1:16 esv

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

Revelation 1:16 nlt

He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 16 Meaning

Revelation 1:16 describes three key features of the glorified Christ that signify His power, authority, and divine essence in a vision to John. The seven stars held in His right hand represent His sovereign control and protective oversight over His churches. The sharp two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth symbolizes the penetrating, discerning, and judgmental power of His divine word and pronouncements. Finally, His face shining like the sun in its full strength portrays His overwhelming divine glory, purity, unapproachable light, and righteous majesty. This combined imagery establishes His absolute dominion and prepares the reader for the messages He delivers to the churches and the future unfolding prophecies.

Revelation 1 16 Context

Revelation chapter 1 sets the stage for the entire book. It begins with John's commission to write what he sees (Rev 1:11), and then transitions to a vivid, symbolic description of the resurrected and glorified Jesus Christ (Rev 1:12-16) amidst seven golden lampstands, representing the seven churches of Asia Minor. This grand vision serves to introduce the divine authority of the one speaking to the churches. Chapter 1, verse 16 is part of this initial unveiling, emphasizing Christ's majestic and formidable presence.

Historically, the churches were facing persecution, compromise, and false teaching during the Roman imperial cult of Domitian. John, writing from exile on Patmos, reveals Christ's sovereignty to bolster believers' faith, warn against apostasy, and give hope in Christ's ultimate victory. The powerful imagery of Rev 1:16 directly counters the claims of Roman emperors and pagan deities by presenting the true, divine King, who holds all power and authority over His creation and His Church.

Revelation 1 16 Word analysis

• He: Refers to the figure "like a Son of Man" (Rev 1:13), definitively identified as Jesus Christ in His resurrected, glorified form (Rev 1:17-18).
• had in His right hand: The dexia (Greek) or right hand signifies power, authority, strength, possession, control, and blessing. It emphasizes Christ's active and decisive dominion.
• seven stars: Hepta asteras (Greek). "Seven" denotes completeness or divine perfection in biblical numerology. "Stars" are explained in Rev 1:20 as the "angels" (Greek: angeloi, messengers, possibly referring to the leaders/pastors or the spiritual representatives) of the seven churches. This signifies Christ's absolute ownership, care, and superintendence over all His churches.
• from His mouth: ek tou stomatos autou (Greek). The sword emanates directly from His verbal pronouncement, not from physical action. This indicates that His words carry inherent authority, power, and effect.
• came a sharp two-edged sword: rhomphaia distomos oxeia (Greek).
  • Rhomphaia: A large, often broad, broadsword or javelin; not a small dagger. It implies lethal power and effective judgment.
  • Distomos: "Two-mouthed," meaning "two-edged." It signifies that His word is powerful to penetrate in all directions—exposing truth and falsehood, convicting of sin, cutting through human arguments, dividing spirit from soul (Heb 4:12), bringing salvation, and executing judgment.
  • Oxeia: "Sharp," emphasizing its effectiveness, precision, and penetrating capability. This sword represents the power of Christ's Word—both in revelation and in judgment.
• and His face: kai to prosopon autou (Greek). The face is the most expressive part of a person, revealing character and intent.
• was like the sun: os ho helios (Greek). This imagery directly correlates with visions of divine glory (e.g., Transfiguration, Matt 17:2; Acts 26:13). The sun is a source of life, light, and power. It points to Christ's divine, unapproachable glory, holiness, purity, and absolute splendor.
• shining in its strength: phainei en te dynamei autou (Greek). "Strength" or "power" (dynamei) implies the sun's full, dazzling, and intense power at midday. It signifies overwhelming majesty, an undeniable presence that radiates absolute divine authority and is also indicative of His power in judgment.

Words-group analysis:

• "He had in His right hand seven stars": This phrase conveys Christ's ultimate protective care and complete sovereign control over the church. He is actively upholding and overseeing His people, indicating both intimate involvement and supreme power. No earthly power can contend with His grip on His own.
• "from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword": This depicts Christ's word as the supreme instrument of power, truth, and judgment. It is not merely wisdom but a dynamic force that discerns all things, bringing both conviction and condemnation, separating truth from error. His divine utterances carry absolute authority and effectiveness.
• "and His face was like the sun shining in its strength": This conveys Christ's transcendent glory and unblemished holiness. It signifies His divine nature, His absolute purity, and an overwhelming radiance that speaks to His identity as the ultimate light and life-giver, but also to His formidable, awe-inspiring presence before which all impurity recoils.

Revelation 1 16 Bonus section

The imagery in Revelation 1:16 draws deeply from Old Testament prophetic visions (e.g., Ezekiel's description of the glory of the Lord in Eze 1:26-28; Daniel's vision of the "Ancient of Days" and the "Son of Man" in Dan 7:9-10 and Dan 10:5-6), indicating that the glorious figure John sees is none other than the God of Israel in the person of Jesus Christ. This vision functions as a new theophany, explicitly identifying Jesus with Yahweh Himself. The collective attributes – control over the church, powerful divine word, and glorious divine presence – solidify Christ's position as supreme Lord. John's immediate reaction (falling down as dead in Rev 1:17) upon seeing this overwhelming glory further attests to its incredible intensity and Christ's supreme divinity.

Revelation 1 16 Commentary

Revelation 1:16 climaxes John's introductory vision of the glorified Christ, painting a vivid portrait of His sovereign majesty and formidable power. The "seven stars in His right hand" serve as a profound reassurance to the early church, facing persecution and doctrinal challenges, that Christ Himself actively holds, guides, and protects His people. This underscores His ultimate authority over His own.

The "sharp two-edged sword from His mouth" reveals that Christ's power is fundamentally rooted in His word. It is not a physical weapon but a divine utterance, powerful to expose sin, discern truth from error, execute righteous judgment, and ultimately establish His will. This speaks to both the convicting power of the Gospel and the decisive nature of divine judgment.

Finally, "His face was like the sun shining in its strength" depicts His inherent divinity and overwhelming glory. This radiant image highlights His pure, holy, and utterly majestic nature, before which human frailty pales. It declares that He is the ultimate source of light, life, and power, far surpassing any earthly authority or created glory. The brilliance also carries the implication of judgment, as impurity cannot stand before such unblemished light. Together, these attributes confirm Christ's absolute control over His churches, His powerful rule over creation, and His righteous authority to judge the world, offering both comfort and solemn warning to those who would heed or disregard His voice.