Revelation 22 8

Revelation 22:8 kjv

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.

Revelation 22:8 nkjv

Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

Revelation 22:8 niv

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.

Revelation 22:8 esv

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me,

Revelation 22:8 nlt

I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.

Revelation 22 verses

Revelation 22 8 Meaning

Revelation 22:8 records the Apostle John's reaction of falling down to worship the angel who revealed the prophetic visions to him, similar to an earlier instance in the book. The verse highlights John's human tendency towards reverence for divine messengers but, crucially, immediately sets the stage for the angel's swift correction, reiterating that worship belongs to God alone, not to created beings. This event serves as a clear theological statement against angel worship, emphasizing the singular object of ultimate devotion.

Revelation 22 8 Context

Revelation 22:8 is positioned at the climax of the entire Bible's prophetic narrative, immediately following the vivid description of the New Jerusalem and the eternal state (Revelation 21-22:5). John has just received extraordinary, final revelations about God's plan for eternity, delivered through a powerful angel. The immediate context of Revelation 22:6-7 stresses the trustworthiness and immediacy of these prophecies, presented as a final divine endorsement of the book's contents.

Historically and culturally, the impulse to revere powerful supernatural beings was common in the ancient world, often leading to idolatry or the worship of intermediary spirits. In early Christianity, this temptation manifested as an issue of angel worship (as seen in Colossians 2:18). John's repeated error (compare Rev 19:10) and the angel's stern correction serve as a crucial didactic moment, underscoring the absolute and exclusive right of God alone to receive worship. This passage clarifies a fundamental truth of Christian theology—worship is reserved only for the Creator, not for creation, however glorious. It stands as a powerful concluding polemic against any deviation from worshipping the triune God.

Revelation 22 8 Word analysis

• And I John: (Kai egō Iōannēs - Greek) The emphasis on "I John" confirms the human eyewitness testimony. This maintains consistency with how John identifies himself as the author of this Revelation (e.g., Rev 1:1, 4, 9). It underscores the authenticity and personal nature of the account.
• saw these things: (eblepsa tauta - Greek) "Saw" indicates direct visual perception. "These things" refers to the totality of the visions and prophecies described throughout the book, particularly those leading up to this point concerning the new heaven, new earth, and New Jerusalem. It highlights the tangible reality of the spiritual revelation.
• and heard them: (kai ēkousa - Greek) "Heard" denotes auditory reception, indicating that the revelation was conveyed through spoken words as well as visions. This dual sensory experience (seeing and hearing) provides robust verification for the validity and comprehensiveness of the divine message John received.
• And when I had heard and seen: This phrase repeats and emphasizes the previous "saw and heard them." The repetition serves to confirm the thoroughness of John's experience of receiving the revelation, making it irrefutable. It suggests a profound and overwhelming encounter.
• I fell down: This signifies an immediate, physical reaction of prostration, driven by awe, wonder, or an overwhelming sense of the sacred and majestic presence. Such an action typically denotes profound reverence or humility.
• to worship: (proskynēsai - Greek) This is the critical word here, meaning "to bow down before, to prostrate oneself," often in adoration or reverence. In Biblical context, proskynesis (the noun form) when directed to God signifies divine worship. When directed to humans or angels, it implies undue reverence or even idolatry if it assumes divine authority. Here, John's intention, though born of reverence for a divine messenger, is misplaced.
• before the feet: A posture of utmost humility, deference, and submission. It indicates John's profound awe in the presence of the angel, highlighting his recognition of the angel's authority as a divine messenger.
• of the angel: (tou angelou - Greek) An "angel" (from angelos) literally means "messenger." Angels are created beings, divine envoys of God, powerful but distinctly separate from God Himself. The angel's identity as a messenger is key to understanding why John's worship is prohibited.
• which shewed me these things: This clause specifies the particular angel who had served as John's guide and revealer throughout much of the latter part of Revelation (e.g., Rev 17:1, 21:9). It further highlights John's human tendency to mistakenly direct worship toward the highly powerful and revelatory instrument rather than the divine Source of the revelation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen,": This doubling of "saw and heard" profoundly emphasizes the sensory authenticity and complete grasp of the divine revelations. John's role as a direct eyewitness is critically validated, lending unassailable authority to the prophecies of Revelation. This establishes the revelations as truly originating from divine sources and clearly communicated.
• "I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.": This sequence powerfully demonstrates the human inclination to revere, even mistakenly worship, the messenger instead of the message-giver. John, overcome by the angel's glory and the profound revelations, defaults to a posture of worship. This immediate misdirection, though understandable from a human perspective, sets up a vital theological correction: worship belongs solely to God, the ultimate source of these profound truths.

Revelation 22 8 Bonus section

• Repetition as Teaching Tool: The repetition of John falling down to worship the angel (Rev 19:10; 22:8) is a powerful rhetorical and pedagogical device. It suggests the profundity of the temptation and the critical importance of the theological truth that worship is for God alone. If an apostle could make this error twice, it indicates how necessary it is for all believers to understand and internalize this truth.
• Contrast with Christ's Worship: Throughout Revelation, Jesus Christ receives worship from angels and elders (Rev 5:8-14; 7:9-12). This direct contrast underscores Jesus' unique divine nature. Angels explicitly refuse worship, but Christ accepts it, highlighting His distinct identity as God Incarnate, co-equal with the Father.
• Authority of Divine Messengers vs. Object of Worship: The angel possessed immense authority as a divine messenger, conveying God's ultimate revelation. John's reverence was understandable in this context. However, the angel, though glorious and powerful, was still a servant. The distinction between respecting and revering a divine messenger's role versus rendering ultimate worship is a crucial theological boundary taught here.

Revelation 22 8 Commentary

Revelation 22:8 unveils a significant spiritual principle through John's mistaken act of worship. Overwhelmed by the culminating vision of the New Jerusalem and the trustworthiness of God's final words, John prostrates himself before the revealing angel. This is the second time John makes this mistake (the first being in Revelation 19:10), which serves not to highlight John's flaw, but to underscore the paramount importance of its correction. John, a Spirit-filled apostle who spent years with Jesus, still felt the compelling urge to worship such a glorious and authoritative heavenly being. This illustrates the human susceptibility to direct ultimate reverence towards powerful created beings or divine intermediaries rather than the Creator alone.

The immediate rebuke that follows in verse 9 (not part of this specific verse, but crucial for understanding this verse) solidifies the doctrine: angels are fellow servants, created beings, and worship belongs only to God. This point is fundamental to Christian faith, protecting against idolatry, creature worship, and undue veneration of saints or angels. It emphasizes the singular, exclusive nature of biblical worship, where all glory, honor, and praise are due solely to the Triune God. Practically, this verse teaches believers to discern between reverence for those God uses and worship of God Himself, ensuring that our ultimate devotion remains rightly placed on the Divine Author of all things. It also serves as a strong warning against elevating anything or anyone—be it a religious leader, a miraculous event, or even an angel—to the level of God in our adoration and submission.