Revelation 10:1

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 10:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;
Revelation 10:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I saw another mighty angel, etc.] Not any mere man, as Justin the emperor, as some have thought, who sent letters abroad in favour of the orthodox doctrine, against the Arians, which they suppose is meant by the little book open in his right hand; and still less the pope of Rome, whether in the sense of Papists or Protestants, which latter represent him as a tyrant, treading upon men both in the islands and in the continent, and holding forth the book of canons and decrees; rather, as Mr. Daubuz thinks, Luther, with the rest of the reformers, is intended, and especially since the prophecy of this chapter respects the Reformation, which began before the end of the sixth trumpet; and the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“VISION OF THE LITTLE BOOK. (Rev 10:1-11) another mighty angel--as distinguished from the mighty angel who asked as to the former and more comprehensive book (Rev 5:2), "Who is worthy to open the book?" clothed with a cloud--the emblem of God coming in judgment. a--A, B, C, and Aleph read "the"; referring to (Rev 4:3) the rainbow already mentioned. rainbow upon his head--the emblem of covenant mercy to God's people, amidst judgments on God's foes. Resumed from Rev 4:3 (see on Rev 4:3). face as . . . the sun-- (Rev 1:16; Rev 18:1). feet as pillars of fire-- (Rev 1:15; Eze 1:7). The angel, as representative of Christ, reflects His glory and bears the insignia attributed in Rev 1:15-16; Rev 4:3,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I saw - I had a vision of. The meaning is, that he saw this subsequently to the vision in the previous chapter. The attention is now arrested by a new vision - as if some new dispensation or economy was about to occur in the world. Another mighty angel - He had before seen the seven angels who were to blow the seven trumpets Revelation 8:2, he had seen six of them successively blow the trumpet, he now sees another angel, different from them, and apparently having no connection with them, coming from heaven to accomplish some important purpose before the seventh angel should give the final blast. The angel is here characterized as a “mighty” angel - ἰσχυρὸν ischuron - one of strength…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I saw another mighty angel - Another from that "mighty angel," mentioned, Rev 5:2; yet he was a created angel; for he did not swear by himself, Rev 5:6. Clothed with a cloud - In token of his high dignity. And a rainbow upon his head - A lovely token of the divine favour. And yet it is not too glorious for a creature: the woman, Rev 12:1, is described more glorious still. And his face as the sun - Nor is this too much for a creature: for all the righteous "shall shine forth as the sun," Mat 13:43. And his feet as pillars of fire - Bright as flame. Revelation 10:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:1–11:14 This interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets is divided into two parts: (1) the seven thunders and the small scroll (10:1-11), and (2) the two witnesses (11:1-13). The interlude ends with the announcement that the second terror is finished (11:14). 10:1 another mighty angel (see 5:2; 7:2; cp. 1:12-16): This angel appears similar to the huge bronze Colossus that stood as a symbol of human power in the harbor of Rhodes for several decades before it was toppled by an earthquake in the late 200s BC. The statue still lay broken at the time that John wrote Revelation. It was about 100 feet tall and represented the sun god, Helios. The angel was surrounded by a cloud, suggesting…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“another: Rev 10:5, Rev 10:6, Rev 5:2, Rev 7:1, Rev 7:2, Rev 8:2-5, Rev 8:13, Rev 9:13, Rev 9:14, Rev 14:14, Rev 14:15 clothed: Rev 1:7; Exo 16:10; Lev 16:2; Psa 97:2, Psa 104:3; Isa 19:1; Lam 3:44; Dan 7:13; Luk 21:27 a rainbow: Rev 4:3; Gen 9:11-17; Isa 54:9; Eze 1:28 his face: Rev 1:16; Dan 10:6; Mat 17:2; Act 26:13 pillars: Rev 1:15; Sol 5:15 Revelation 10:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification