Revelation 5:5 kjv

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Revelation 5:5 nkjv

But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."

Revelation 5:5 niv

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Revelation 5:5 esv

And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."

Revelation 5:5 nlt

But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, "Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David's throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Revelation 5 verses

Revelation 5 5 Meaning

Revelation 5:5 reveals the unique worthiness and singular authority of Jesus Christ, identified by specific Messianic titles, to execute God's ultimate plan for history and redemption, symbolized by the sealed scroll. After John witnesses the desperate search for someone worthy to open the scroll and weeps at the apparent lack, an elder announces that the Messiah has prevailed, overcoming all obstacles through His triumph, and thus possesses the necessary authority to unveil and enact the divine decrees contained within the scroll.

Revelation 5 5 Context

Revelation chapter 5 immediately follows the glorious throne room vision of chapter 4, where the elders and living creatures worship God the Creator. In chapter 5, the focus shifts to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan for humanity and creation. A divinely authoritative scroll, inscribed within and on the back, sealed with seven seals, is held by God the Father. This scroll likely contains God's judgments and His sovereign plan to bring history to its climax, to conquer evil, and to fully establish His kingdom. John's profound weeping in verse 4 highlights the desperate predicament: no one in the vast cosmic order, no angelic being, no human, living or dead, is found worthy to open the scroll. This scene sets the stage to magnify the singular worthiness of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who alone is qualified to receive and execute this divine purpose, bringing relief and hope after John's despair. Historically, Jewish expectations often focused on a powerful Messianic king from David's line who would liberate Israel from oppression, and this verse aligns Jesus with such hopes, while redefining the nature of His conquering.

Revelation 5 5 Word analysis

• And one of the elders: (Greek: heis ek tōn presbyterōn) A key figure from the 24 elders surrounding God's throne (Rev 4:4), representing either redeemed humanity or angelic beings in leadership. This elder's announcement is a divine assurance.
• said to me: Directly addresses John, shifting his despair to hope and revelation.
• “Weep no more: (Greek: Mē klaie) An imperative prohibition, meaning "stop weeping" or "do not continue to weep." This command provides immediate solace and signals a profound turning point in John's experience, from distress to revelation.
• behold, (Greek: Idou) An interjection drawing immediate attention to what follows. It signifies a dramatic revelation or the presentation of something profoundly important.
• the Lion (Greek: ho Leōn) A powerful metaphor. The lion symbolizes royalty, majesty, strength, courage, victory, and the embodiment of aggressive power and rightful dominion. In contrast to the perceived weakness of John’s weeping, the Lion embodies formidable might.
• of the tribe (Greek: tēs phylēs) Signifies the lineage and familial descent.
• of Judah, (Greek: Iouda) Direct reference to Genesis 49:9-10, where Jacob blesses his son Judah, prophesying that Judah's tribe would produce a ruler from whom the scepter would not depart until the coming of Shiloh (the Messiah). This identifies Jesus as the promised Messianic King.
• the Root (Greek: hē Rhiza) Symbolically refers to the source, origin, and life-giving foundation, rather than just a descendant. While He is a descendant (offspring) of David by birth, "Root" signifies that He is the pre-existent, divine origin from whom David's kingship and lineage itself sprung, and from whom new life and legitimate authority emerge. This implies His divine essence and ultimate authority beyond human descent.
• of David, (Greek: Dauid) Connects Jesus directly to the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7), promising an eternal dynasty and throne for David's offspring. This confirms Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, whose dominion will be everlasting.
• has conquered, (Greek: enikēsen) A single, powerful Greek verb (aorist tense) indicating a completed and decisive victory with ongoing results. This is Christ's triumph through His suffering, death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension, not through military might in the earthly sense. He overcame sin, death, and the power of Satan (John 16:33, Col 2:15, Heb 2:14).
• so that he can open (Greek: anoixai) Expresses the purpose or result of Christ's conquest: to have the authority and qualification to open.
• the scroll (Greek: to biblion) The mysterious, significant document first seen in Rev 5:1, containing God's preordained plan, likely concerning judgment and the consummation of His kingdom and new creation.
• and its seven seals. (Greek: kai tas heptā sphragidas autou) The seals signify security, authority, and mystery. Only by breaking these seals can the scroll's contents be revealed and enacted. Seven seals signify completeness and finality, underscoring the scroll's comprehensive divine purpose and that its contents are wholly concealed until opened by the Worthy One.

Words-group analysis

• “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David: This powerful phrase transitions from John's despondency to a revelation of overwhelming hope. The combination of "Lion" (a warrior-king symbol) and "Root" (the divine source and foundation) describes Jesus' two-fold authority: His power and majesty to reign, and His divine origin as the sustainer and progenitor of all legitimate authority, including David's. The title "Lion of Judah" confirms His Messianic role according to Old Testament prophecy, rooting Him in human history and covenant promises.
• has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”: This segment presents the core message of worthiness. Christ's decisive victory, achieved through His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection, is the qualification and basis for His unique authority to unravel and enact God's ultimate plan for redemption and judgment. It shows His conquest was not for self-gain but for the fulfillment of God's sovereign purpose, culminating in the complete disclosure and execution of the sealed divine decree. This contrasts with John's weeping (worthless and despairing) with Christ's victorious ability.

Revelation 5 5 Bonus section

The titles "Lion of Judah" and "Root of David" not only point to Christ's earthly lineage and kingly authority but also cleverly bridge the gap between human Messianic expectation (a conquering king from David's line) and Christ's divine nature and pre-existence as the ultimate source of life and royalty. The paradox often explored by commentators is the immediate transition in Revelation 5:6 where the "Lion" turns out to be a "Lamb as though it had been slain." This immediate juxtaposition underscores that the Christ's conquering power (Lion) was paradoxically achieved through sacrificial weakness and suffering (Lamb). His triumph came not through worldly might, but through vicarious suffering and resurrection, making His worthiness and authority incomparable. The fact that "one of the elders" announces this speaks to the unified testimony of heaven concerning Christ's singular position and work. The profound weeping of John is critical; it underlines the desperation and ultimate need for such a Savior, setting the stage for the dramatic relief brought by the revelation of the Victorious Lamb.

Revelation 5 5 Commentary

Revelation 5:5 stands as a pivotal point, offering profound reassurance amidst despair. John's lament that no one in all creation could open the sealed scroll of divine destiny highlights a cosmic crisis. Humanity and even the heavenly hosts are inadequate. Then, the elder's pronouncement brings revelation and solace. Jesus Christ is uniquely worthy, identified by two potent Messianic titles derived from the Old Testament: "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "the Root of David."

The "Lion of Judah" refers to Christ as the fulfillment of Jacob's prophecy concerning Judah's royal dominance (Gen 49:9-10). It signifies His regal power, unyielding might, and judicial authority as the King. The "Root of David" (Isa 11:1, 10) emphasizes His dual nature: He is not merely a descendant of David but the very source and ultimate foundation from which David and his kingdom derived their existence and legitimacy. This highlights Christ's divine pre-existence and absolute sovereignty as the true originator and sustainer of the Davidic line, a concept reaffirmed by Jesus Himself (Rev 22:16).

The culmination of these titles is His action: He "has conquered." This past tense triumph (Greek: enikēsen) refers to His victory achieved primarily through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Through His sacrificial death, Jesus triumphed over sin, death, and the devil (John 16:33; Col 2:15; Heb 2:14). This victory, not an earthly military conquest but a redemptive, spiritual, and cosmic one, uniquely qualifies Him to receive the scroll and break its seven seals. His conquest demonstrates His inherent worthiness and absolute authority to execute God’s will, which encompasses the final judgments and the ultimate establishment of His glorious kingdom. Thus, this verse transforms John's, and by extension, our, weeping of despair into confident expectation because of Christ’s unparalleled triumph and authority.

Practical application: When faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges or moments of despair where human effort falls short, we are reminded that Jesus has already conquered. Our hope is not in human ability but in His finished work. He alone holds the power to unfold God's ultimate plan, even when it appears hidden or sealed from us.