Revelation 7:13 kjv

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Revelation 7:13 nkjv

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

Revelation 7:13 niv

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes?who are they, and where did they come from?"

Revelation 7:13 esv

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?"

Revelation 7:13 nlt

Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, "Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?"

Revelation 7 verses

Revelation 7 13 Meaning

Revelation 7:13 records a pivotal moment where one of the 24 elders in the heavenly vision addresses John directly, posing a rhetorical question about the identity and origin of the immense multitude standing before God's throne, arrayed in white robes. This question serves not to solicit an answer from John, but to introduce a divine explanation about who these people are, highlighting their cleansed and victorious state and foreshadowing the revelation of their ultimate source of triumph. It underscores John's role as a recipient of revelation, preparing him for the deeper understanding of the multitude's identity as those who have endured the "great tribulation."

Revelation 7 13 Context

Revelation 7:13 is an integral part of an interlude chapter (Revelation 7) that strategically pauses the sequence of the seven seals. This interlude occurs between the breaking of the sixth seal (which described a cosmic upheaval and terror among humanity) and the opening of the seventh seal. Chapter 7 introduces two distinct groups: the 144,000 sealed from the tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's protected people, and the innumerable "great multitude" from every nation, tribe, people, and language. Verse 13 specifically transitions the focus to this "great multitude," described as standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches (7:9-12). The elder's question acts as a narrative device to pivot from describing the multitude's glorious appearance to revealing their origin and identifying their righteous status. This context provides a pause in judgment, highlighting God's preservation and the worship of the redeemed, serving as an encouragement to the original audience facing persecution under the Roman Empire, emphasizing God's ultimate vindication and glorification of His faithful ones.

Revelation 7 13 Word analysis

• καὶ (kai) - "And": Connective particle, linking this new event or discourse directly to the preceding scene of worship by the multitude (Rev 7:9-12). It signifies a continuation of the vision but a shift in the narrative's focus from description to inquiry.
• ἀπεκρίθη (apekrimen) - "answered": Implies that a question, though not explicitly recorded, was present in John's mind or implicitly observed by the elder. It's a natural rhetorical move in apocalyptic literature where understanding is often given through divine dialogue or interpretive interaction.
• εἷς (heis) - "one": Singular and specific, highlighting the elder's individual action as an interpreter or guide. This emphasizes divine order and precise revelation.
• ἐκ (ek) - "out of/from": Denotes source or origin, indicating this elder is drawn from the group of the 24 elders, who collectively represent the redeemed people of God.
• τῶν πρεσβυτέρων (ton presbyteron) - "the elders": Refers to the twenty-four elders consistently seen surrounding God's throne (Rev 4:4, 5:8). They hold a significant interpretive role in John's vision, often asking questions or providing explanations, representing wisdom, spiritual authority, and the leadership of the redeemed.
• λέγων (legon) - "saying": Introduces direct speech, indicating the elder's spoken inquiry to John.
• μοι (moi) - "to me": Personal pronoun in the dative case, signifying the elder addresses John directly. It draws John (and by extension, the reader) into the interpretive process, making the revelation personal and immediate.
• Οὗτοι (houtoi) - "These": Demonstrative pronoun, pointing directly to the "great multitude" that was just described in detail (Rev 7:9). It provides a clear reference for the elder's query.
• οἱ (hoi) - "the": Definite article, specifying the group already identified and seen by John.
• περιβεβλημένοι (peribeblēmenoi) - "clothed/having been clothed": A perfect passive participle, indicating a state of being clothed that has been accomplished in the past and continues in the present. It implies their robes were given to them, not earned by their own effort, signifying God's bestowal. The passive voice suggests divine agency in their clothing.
• τὰς στολὰς (tas stolas) - "the robes/garments": Refers to long, flowing, formal garments. In this context, these are garments of dignity, honor, and purity, differentiating them from ordinary clothing. They are often associated with priests or those of high status.
• τὰς λευκάς (tas leukas) - "the white ones": White signifies purity, holiness, righteousness, and victory in Revelation (Rev 3:4-5, 6:11, 19:8). The color connects their purity directly to Christ's righteousness and their victory over evil.
• τίνες εἰσὶν (tines eisin) - "who are they?": An interrogative question seeking identification or nature. The elder asks, not because he doesn't know, but to prompt John for recognition and to set up the divine revelation that follows. It also highlights John's own state of partial understanding.
• καὶ (kai) - "and": Connective, linking the two parts of the elder's inquiry.
• πόθεν (pothen) - "from where?": An interrogative adverb seeking origin or source. This part of the question addresses their journey and past circumstances, particularly significant given the tribulation to be revealed.
• ἦλθον (ēlthon) - "did they come?": Aorist active indicative verb, indicating a past action or arrival. The question isn't about their current location, but their trajectory and ultimate provenance.

Words-group analysis:

• "one of the elders answered me, saying": This phrase highlights the elder's role as a divine interpreter or intermediary. It mirrors similar interactions in prophetic books (e.g., Daniel, Zechariah) where heavenly beings guide the prophet to understanding. The elder serves as a teacher, providing insight into the mysteries of God's plan.
• "These who are clothed in white robes": This refers back to the descriptive image presented in Revelation 7:9. The white robes are not merely attire but symbols of their spiritual condition—purification through Christ's blood (Rev 7:14) and their righteous standing before God. The question draws attention to their appearance as a key to their identity.
• "Who are they, and from where did they come?": This double question is rhetorical. The elder, as an inhabitant of heaven, presumably knows the answer. Its purpose is didactic: to elicit from John his confession of ignorance, thereby preparing him (and the reader) to receive the authoritative, divinely-revealed answer in the very next verse. It directs John's attention to two crucial aspects: their identity (who) and their origin/journey (from where), setting the stage for the explanation of their tribulation and purification.

Revelation 7 13 Bonus section

The rhetorical questioning device used in Rev 7:13 is a common literary trope found in apocalyptic and prophetic literature (e.g., Dan 7:16, Zech 4:4-5), where a celestial being prompts the seer's curiosity, allowing for the subsequent delivery of divine interpretation. This method serves not only to convey information but also to engage the audience actively in the process of revelation, building anticipation for the unfolding truth.

The specific choice of "one of the elders" for this interaction is significant. These 24 elders are often seen as representatives of the entire redeemed church, Old Testament and New Testament saints, in their exalted, worshiping state before God. Thus, a question from "one of them" concerning the great multitude could symbolize the deeper understanding and recognition that the full assembly of the redeemed possesses about fellow believers. It bridges the gap between those already in glory (the elders) and those who are just now arriving, highlighting continuity in God's redemptive plan.

The "white robes" mentioned here carry significant theological weight, not just as symbols of purity but as indicators of victory over sin and persecution (Rev 6:11, 19:8). They signify that these individuals have persevered through trial and have been granted righteousness and salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Their appearance is not coincidental but reflective of their cleansed status and honored position in God's presence, signifying justification and glorification.

Revelation 7 13 Commentary

Revelation 7:13 acts as a pivotal narrative hinge, bridging the grand worship scene of the great multitude (Rev 7:9-12) and the essential revelation of their identity (Rev 7:14). The question posed by "one of the elders" is not born of ignorance but serves a pedagogical purpose. In the dramatic progression of John's vision, moments of explicit interpretation are crucial, guiding the prophet and the reader through complex apocalyptic imagery. The elder, a symbolic figure representing heavenly wisdom and possibly the redeemed church in its entirety, takes on this teaching role.

The query "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" draws immediate attention to the distinguishing feature of the multitude – their pure, victorious raiment, which hints at their spiritual state. By inviting John to respond (even if he has no direct answer, as implied by 7:14), the elder validates John's prophetic role, while simultaneously acknowledging his human limitation in comprehending the fullness of God's divine plan without divine aid. This direct interaction personalizes the revelation, making the unveiling of the multitude's identity more impactful. The dual nature of the question (identity and origin) foreshadows the depth of the explanation to come: they are not merely any people, but a specific group who emerged triumphantly from a profound struggle, purified by the blood of the Lamb. This setup underscores the divine mercy and faithfulness amidst impending global judgments, providing profound encouragement and hope to the early Christians experiencing intense persecution.