Revelation 7:14 kjv

And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 nkjv

And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 niv

I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 esv

I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Revelation 7:14 nlt

And I said to him, "Sir, you are the one who knows." Then he said to me, "These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

Revelation 7 verses

Revelation 7 14 Meaning

Revelation 7:14 identifies the vast multitude standing before God's throne as those who have emerged from the great tribulation. Their white robes symbolize their purity and righteousness, which they acquired paradoxically by washing them in the atoning blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. This verse profoundly underscores salvation, perseverance through intense suffering, and the unique efficacy of Christ's sacrifice to grant righteousness to believers, enabling them to stand in God's holy presence.

Revelation 7 14 Context

Revelation 7:14 forms a crucial part of an interlude in the Revelation narrative, appearing between the breaking of the sixth and seventh seals (Rev 6:12-17 and Rev 8:1). Following a depiction of universal cosmic upheaval and humanity's terror at God's wrath, this chapter provides reassurance. It first introduces the sealing of 144,000 Israelites for preservation during judgment (Rev 7:1-8). Immediately after, John sees a massive, innumerable multitude from "every nation, tribe, people, and language" (Rev 7:9). The identity of this second group is the subject of the elder's explanation in verse 14. Historically, for John's original audience facing Roman persecution and imperial cult demands, this vision would have offered immense hope. It affirms that true purification and righteousness come not through allegiance to Rome or its gods, but through faithful endurance and the unique, redemptive work of Jesus Christ, assuring them of divine protection and an eternal place in God's presence, despite severe contemporary pressures. The polemic is clear: worldly power and self-righteousness are fleeting; true salvation and standing come only from Christ.

Revelation 7 14 Word analysis

• Και (Kai): "And"
  • Significance: Connects the question of the elder ("who are these…?") to the direct revelation given to John. It signals the continuity of the vision and explanation.
• ελεγον (elegon): "he said"
  • Transliteration: elegon
  • Meaning: A form of legō (λέγω), meaning "to say," "to speak." Imperfect tense, suggesting an ongoing or definitive pronouncement by the elder to John. It signifies direct divine communication of truth.
• μοι (moi): "to me"
  • Significance: Emphasizes that this revelation is specifically directed to John, for the benefit of the church, highlighting the personal nature of the prophecy.
• Ουτοι (Houtoi): "These"
  • Transliteration: Houtoi
  • Meaning: Demonstrative pronoun, "these ones," "they." Refers back directly to the "great multitude" seen in Rev 7:9.
• εισιν (eisin): "are"
  • Transliteration: eisin
  • Meaning: Present indicative of eimi (εἰμί), "to be." States a definitive identity.
• οι (hoi): "those"
  • Meaning: Definite article acting as a pronoun, identifying the specific group.
• ερχομενοι (erchomenoi): "coming"
  • Transliteration: erchomenoi
  • Meaning: Present participle of erchomai (ἔρχομαι), "to come," "to go." Can denote a state of emergence, implying having endured and passed through something.
• εκ (ek): "out of"
  • Transliteration: ek
  • Meaning: Preposition. Denotes source or separation, reinforcing that this multitude has exited, survived, or been delivered from the tribulation.
• της θλιψεως (tēs thlipseōs): "the tribulation"
  • Transliteration: thlipseōs
  • Meaning: Thlipsis (θλῖψις) means "pressure," "distress," "affliction," "trouble," "persecution." It denotes a heavy burden or crushing pressure. In biblical usage, often refers to severe suffering endured by God's people (e.g., Mk 13:19).
• της μεγαλης (tēs megalēs): "the great"
  • Transliteration: megalēs
  • Meaning: Megas (μέγας) means "great," "large," "intense." Here, it intensifies thlipsis, indicating a tribulation of unparalleled intensity and scope (cf. Mt 24:21; Dan 12:1). It refers to a period of intense, unprecedented global distress or persecution of believers.
• και (kai): "and"
  • Connects the endured tribulation with the subsequent act of cleansing.
• επλυναν (eplunan): "washed"
  • Transliteration: eplunan
  • Meaning: Aorist active indicative of plunō (πλύνω), "to wash," specifically of clothes. It indicates a completed act of cleansing.
• τας στολας (tas stolas): "their robes"
  • Transliteration: stolas
  • Meaning: Stolē (στολή) refers to a long, flowing garment, often signifying dignity, special status, or festive attire (e.g., Mark 12:38 for scribes, Lk 15:22 for the prodigal son's father). Here, the white robes denote righteousness and spiritual purity bestowed upon them.
• αυτων (autōn): "their own"
  • Meaning: Possessive pronoun.
• και (kai): "and"
  • Connects washing to the result—making them white.
• ελευκαναν (eleukanan): "made them white"
  • Transliteration: eleukanan
  • Meaning: Aorist active indicative of leukainō (λευκαίνω), "to make white," "to whiten." This action emphasizes transformation—the robes became truly white. It signifies a profound internal and external purification.
• αυτας (autas): "them"
  • Referring to "their robes."
• εν (en): "in" or "by" or "with"
  • Transliteration: en
  • Meaning: Preposition indicating the means, instrument, or sphere. Crucially, it shows the means by which the purification occurs.
• τω αιματι (tō haimati): "the blood"
  • Transliteration: haimati
  • Meaning: Haima (αἷμα) refers to blood. In biblical theology, blood is intrinsically linked to life (Lev 17:11) and atonement (Heb 9:22). Here, it's the ultimate sacrificial means for expiation and cleansing of sin. The paradox of blood making robes white highlights a spiritual, miraculous transformation, contrary to natural expectation.
• του Αρνιου (tou Arniou): "of the Lamb"
  • Transliteration: Arniou
  • Meaning: Arnion (ἀρνίον), "Lamb," is Revelation's dominant title for Jesus Christ (28 times). It emphasizes His sacrificial nature, innocence, and conquering power as the slain Lamb (Rev 5:6-9), drawing parallels to the Passover lamb and the Suffering Servant of Isa 53.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "those coming out of the great tribulation" (οι ερχομενοι εκ της θλιψεως της μεγαλης): This phrase describes their origin and defining experience. They are not merely those experiencing tribulation, but those who emerge victorious from it. This suggests divine preservation or faithful endurance through the severest period of trial before the coming of the Lamb's reign. It signifies survivors, conquerors by faith, who have passed through intense persecution, probably including martyrdom for some, without renouncing Christ.
• "and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (και επλυναν τας στολας αυτων και ελευκαναν αυτας εν τω αιματι του Αρνιου): This is the central theological paradox. Blood typically defiles, but Christ's blood cleanses and purifies, making robes—symbolizing their identity and righteousness—radiantly white. This imagery signifies complete atonement, forgiveness, and imputation of Christ's righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). It points not to human merit or self-cleansing but to the sole efficacy of Jesus's substitutionary sacrifice on the cross. The action is of their own participation ("washed their robes") but the power and means (en tō haimati tou Arniou) are solely from Christ. Their enduring faith led them to claim Christ's work for their salvation, making them fit for God's presence.

Revelation 7 14 Bonus section

The paradoxical imagery of blood making white draws from Old Testament ideas of sacrificial cleansing (e.g., Lev 17:11 where "life is in the blood" and Isa 1:18, where scarlet sins are made "white as snow"). However, it's profoundly fulfilled in Christ. This "washing" is not a once-for-all passive act received by the redeemed but an ongoing appropriation by faith. Though salvation is a gift, their "washing" implies an active surrender and application of Christ's work to their lives, demonstrating faithful perseverance unto the end. The white robes themselves are a consistent symbol in Revelation for victory, purity, and readiness for eternal service, especially associated with those who overcome and remain faithful (e.g., Rev 3:4-5, 18). This multitude stands ready to serve and worship God day and night in His temple (Rev 7:15), emphasizing their priestly status through Christ.

Revelation 7 14 Commentary

Revelation 7:14 is a profound answer identifying the triumphant, white-robed multitude. They are survivors of "the great tribulation," a period of intense suffering and persecution unique in scope and severity. This "coming out" indicates their steadfastness, enduring through unprecedented pressure without forsaking their faith.

The imagery of "washing their robes and making them white in the blood of the Lamb" is a powerful paradox. Blood, typically defiling, becomes the instrument of ultimate cleansing and purification. This underscores that their righteousness and purity are not self-achieved but are entirely derived from the atoning work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. It signifies justification and sanctification through His shed blood. Their clean robes, often associated with spiritual purity, indicate that despite passing through the fires of tribulation, their spiritual state is perfected and fit to stand before a holy God. Their enduring suffering merely reveals and authenticates the deep reality of their reliance on Christ’s work. This verse offers immense comfort and assurance, especially to those enduring persecution, reminding them that through Christ, they can emerge from trial refined and righteous, ready for eternal worship.

• Examples:
  • For believers enduring suffering: This verse provides assurance that physical hardship and tribulation are not ultimate obstacles to eternal fellowship with God but pathways through which the Lamb's cleansing power is profoundly revealed.
  • For those questioning their purity: It underscores that access to God and righteousness come not through perfect personal performance, but through radical reliance on Christ's completed work on the cross.
  • For understanding evangelism: The multi-ethnic origin of the multitude and their common path through the blood of the Lamb highlights God's universal redemptive plan and call to salvation for all peoples.