Revelation 6:16 kjv

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Revelation 6:16 nkjv

and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

Revelation 6:16 niv

They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

Revelation 6:16 esv

calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,

Revelation 6:16 nlt

And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.

Revelation 6 verses

Revelation 6 16 Meaning

Revelation 6:16 depicts a universal cry of terror and desperation from all societal strata—kings to slaves—in the face of divine judgment. Overwhelmed by the escalating manifestations of God's wrath during the opening of the sixth seal, they beg the inanimate creation, the mountains and rocks, to fall upon them and provide oblivion rather than confront the terrifying presence of the sovereign God, who sits on the throne, and the fierce wrath of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. This desperate plea underscores the utter inescapability and terrifying intensity of divine judgment for the unrepentant.

Revelation 6 16 Context

Revelation chapter 6 describes the breaking of the first six seals of the seven-sealed scroll, signifying stages of divine judgment being poured out upon the earth. The initial seals bring conquest, war, famine, and death (seals 1-4). The fifth seal reveals the martyrs' cry for vengeance, showing God's remembrance of His persecuted saints. The breaking of the sixth seal in verses 12-14 unleashes cataclysmic cosmic disturbances: the sun turns black, the moon becomes blood, stars fall, and the sky vanishes. This verse, Revelation 6:16, immediately follows these terrifying events and introduces the reaction of humanity. The verse stands as the ultimate demonstration of terror, illustrating that earthly power, wealth, and strength offer no refuge from the unleashed judgment of God and the Lamb. It sets the stage for the interlude before the seventh seal, revealing the universal dread of those who have rejected God. Historically, John’s audience was experiencing persecution, likely under Roman Emperor Domitian, who demanded worship. This vision serves as a divine assurance that the persecutors will face ultimate judgment, while also being a stark warning against defying the true King of kings.

Revelation 6 16 Word analysis

• and said (εἶπον - eipon): This simple past tense verb introduces the unified voice of humanity, indicating a collective and immediate reaction to the unfolding cosmic judgment. It highlights the directness of their desperate plea.

• to the mountains (ὄρεσι - oresi): Dative plural, signifying the recipients of their appeal. "Mountains" denote massive, permanent geological features, emphasizing the scale of the physical oblivion they desire.

• and rocks (πέτραις - petrais): Dative plural, likewise addressed as entities that might offer refuge. "Rocks", specifically cliffs and large stone formations, complement "mountains" to convey an intense longing for burial and disappearance.

• ‘Fall on us (πέσατε ἐφ’ ἡμᾶς - pesate eph' hēmas): A desperate imperative command. They wish for instant obliteration, preferring a swift, violent end to enduring the "face" and "wrath" of God. This plea for death is ironic, as death itself is typically feared, but here, it's sought as escape.

• and hide us (κρύψατε ἡμᾶς - krypsate hēmas): Another imperative. The act of hiding signifies an attempt to escape recognition or confrontation. However, the futility of hiding from an omniscient God is a consistent biblical theme.

• from the face (ἀπὸ προσώπου - apo prosōpou): This phrase points to the direct presence and immediate gaze of God. To "see God's face" is often associated with judgment or confrontation in Scripture, implying no veil or mediation. The unrepentant cannot bear this direct encounter.

• of Him who sits on the throne (τοῦ καθημένου ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου - tou kathēmenou epi tou thronou): This is a specific divine title consistently used in Revelation to refer to God the Father, the supreme Sovereign, Judge, and Controller of all things. It underscores His absolute authority and righteous governance.

• and from the wrath (ἀπὸ τῆς ὀργῆς - apo tēs orgēs): Refers to divine indignation, a powerful, righteous expression of God’s judgment against sin. This wrath is not an impulsive human emotion, but a settled, just, and determined reaction to rebellion.

• of the Lamb (τοῦ ἀρνίου - tou arniou): This title for Jesus Christ, prominent in Revelation, initially depicts Him as the innocent sacrifice (Rev 5:6-10). The revelation of the "wrath of the Lamb" is profoundly shocking; the once-gentle sacrifice is now revealed as the powerful and fearsome divine judge, underscoring His full divinity and co-equality with God in judgment.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us’": This entire phrase conveys the absolute depth of terror. It represents a desperate, futile attempt by humanity to escape divine judgment through self-destruction or oblivion, demonstrating the unbearable nature of God's holy presence for the unrighteous.
  • "from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!": This dual reference identifies the source of terror: both the direct presence of God the Father and the active, furious judgment executed by the Lamb, Jesus Christ. It highlights the unified nature of divine judgment and the inescapable authority of both the Father and the Son in judgment. The "face" suggests exposure and full revelation, while "wrath" suggests active punitive measures.

Revelation 6 16 Bonus section

The profound irony in Revelation 6:16 is that these people, who throughout their lives likely boasted in their strength, wealth, or power, are reduced to begging inanimate objects for deliverance. Their plea is not for salvation or mercy from God or the Lamb, but for obliteration—a testament to the unbearable weight of facing ultimate truth without redemption. This verse also implicitly contrasts with the cries of the righteous in Revelation, who confidently proclaim "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Rev 7:10). For the unrepentant, God's face is a consuming fire; for the redeemed, it is a glorious vision.

Revelation 6 16 Commentary

Revelation 6:16 is a climactic declaration of existential terror, a desperate and futile attempt by humanity to escape the visible and inescapable outpouring of divine judgment. The cosmic disturbances of the sixth seal force a confession of identity from those who once defied God—they now acknowledge "Him who sits on the throne" and "the Lamb" as their terrifying judges. The plea for mountains and rocks to fall upon them signifies a preference for physical annihilation over confronting the unholy nature of their lives against the holiness of God.

The most striking aspect is the "wrath of the Lamb." This paradoxical phrase radically reshapes the image of Jesus, who is traditionally viewed as the meek and suffering sacrifice. Here, He is revealed not only as redeemer but also as sovereign judge, the one who initiates and executes divine retribution alongside the Father. His wrath is a terrifying prospect because it is righteous, just, and final, revealing that the very Lamb whose sacrifice offered salvation now holds ultimate authority to condemn those who rejected Him.

This scene highlights the universal and unavoidable nature of this final judgment. From the highest political and economic powers (kings, commanders, rich) to the lowliest in society (slaves), no one is exempt, and no earthly power or hiding place can offer refuge. Their desperate cry acknowledges their lost standing before the Almighty. This powerful imagery serves as a dire warning for those who resist God and reject His saving grace, emphasizing that the time for repentance is finite and that the coming judgment will be terrifyingly real and absolute for the unrepentant.