Revelation 5:14 kjv

And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:14 nkjv

Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

Revelation 5:14 niv

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:14 esv

And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:14 nlt

And the four living beings said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.

Revelation 5 verses

Revelation 5 14 Meaning

Revelation 5:14 describes the culminating response of universal assent and adoration in the heavenly throne room to the praise and worthiness of God on the throne and the Lamb who took the scroll. It signifies complete agreement with the profound declaration of their sovereign authority and redemptive work, demonstrated through spoken affirmation and prostrate worship.

Revelation 5 14 Context

Revelation 5:14 serves as the conclusion of an intense heavenly worship scene initiated in chapter 4, where God the Father is worshipped as Creator. In chapter 5, the focus shifts to the search for one worthy to open a scroll. The Lamb (Christ) is found worthy due to His sacrificial atonement, leading to a new song of praise to Him from the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, followed by an immense multitude of angels, and then all creation. Verse 14 culminates this escalating chorus, showing the unified and final assent of the core heavenly worshipers – the four living creatures and the elders – to all the preceding declarations of worthiness and praise for God and the Lamb. This verse contrasts implicitly with the surrounding Roman imperial cult of John's time, where emperors demanded worship. Here, true worship is directed only to the Creator and the Redeemer, emphasizing their unique divine authority and worth.

Revelation 5 14 Word analysis

• And (Greek: kai): A conjunction used frequently in Revelation, connecting this action directly to the preceding worship and demonstrating the continuous, dynamic nature of the heavenly scene.
• the four living creatures (Greek: ta tessara zōa): Described in Rev 4:6-8, representing redeemed creation or aspects of God's sovereign presence. They are key participants in heavenly worship, ceaselessly praising God and serving as intercessors or heralds. Their agreement validates the universal scope of the worship.
• said (Greek: eipon): Signifies an audible, deliberate vocalization. It indicates their active participation and firm declaration.
• Amen (Greek: Amēn): A transliterated Hebrew word meaning "so be it," "truly," "it is certain," or "I agree." Here, it expresses a profound and solemn affirmation of the praise and declarations of worthiness rendered to God and the Lamb (Rev 5:9-13). It acts as a stamp of truth and agreement from these heavenly beings, endorsing all that has been proclaimed. It carries the weight of ultimate assent and unwavering belief.
• And (Greek: kai): Again, connects the two responses, showing parallel and complementary actions.
• the elders (Greek: hoi presbyteroi): The twenty-four elders (Rev 4:4), often interpreted as representing the redeemed Church (Old and New Testament saints) or heavenly beings holding a specific priestly/royal function. They are prominent in heavenly worship, perpetually casting their crowns before the throne (Rev 4:10). Their act of worship signifies humanity's highest honor and submission.
• fell down (Greek: epesan): From piptō, meaning "to fall" or "to prostrate oneself." This is a profound posture of reverence, submission, and humility. It denotes utter lowliness before supreme authority and worth, typical in biblical worship when confronted with divine glory.
• and worshipped (Greek: kai prosekynēsan): From proskyneō, meaning "to prostrate oneself in adoration" or "to pay homage." This is the highest act of reverence and devotion. It signifies giving supreme honor and devotion to God and the Lamb. It encapsulates the complete yielding of oneself in acknowledgement of the divine being's supremacy.

• "the four living creatures said, Amen": This phrase highlights the unanimous and strong endorsement from the living creatures. Their "Amen" is a resounding agreement to the prior worship and a solemn oath of fidelity. It indicates that the worship directed towards God and the Lamb is recognized and affirmed by beings closest to the throne, often seen as representing creation itself.
• "And the elders fell down and worshipped": This group's response underscores ultimate humility and adoration from what many consider the representatives of redeemed humanity. Their physical act of falling down demonstrates complete submission and acknowledgement of the supreme authority and holiness of God and the Lamb. It's a non-verbal echo of the living creatures' verbal "Amen," collectively confirming the worship and worthiness. The combination of verbal "Amen" and physical "worship" signifies total consent and adoration from the highest echelons of heavenly beings.

Revelation 5 14 Bonus section

This verse solidifies the unified nature of worship in heaven, where diverse beings (representing creation and possibly redeemed humanity) converge in absolute adoration. The sequential crescendo of worship throughout Revelation 5—from the creatures and elders, to countless angels, and finally to every creature—culminates here in this firm and resolute affirmation. It underscores the profound theological truth that all heavenly and earthly glory ultimately converges upon the triune God and His Son, the Lamb, as the sole recipients of worship. This also foreshadows the future universal acknowledgement of Christ's sovereignty described in Philippians 2:9-11. The absence of any dissenting voice speaks to the uncontested and absolute authority of God and the Lamb within the divine order.

Revelation 5 14 Commentary

Revelation 5:14 provides the climatic conclusion to the intense heavenly throne-room worship described in chapters 4 and 5. Following the glorious anthems to the Father as Creator and the Lamb as Redeemer, this verse describes the final, unifying response of two key groups of heavenly worshipers: the four living creatures and the elders. The "Amen" from the four living creatures acts as a cosmic ratification of all the preceding praise and declarations of the Lamb's worthiness; it's a solemn, absolute affirmation, signaling universal agreement and truth. Simultaneously, the elders, representative of either humanity or the celestial council, engage in the ultimate posture of humility and reverence—falling down and worshipping. This combined verbal and physical act of adoration encapsulates the proper response to divine revelation and salvation. It underscores that God and the Lamb are supremely worthy of all worship, honor, glory, and blessing, inviting all creation to share in this absolute recognition of their unique authority and redemptive work.