Revelation 10:2

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 10:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;
Revelation 10:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

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 he had in his hand a little book open, etc.] By which is meant not the Bible, the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament; or the book of the Gospel, the substance of which lies in a little room, and is no other than the preaching of Christ, and him crucified, as God's way of salvation; and which is now more open and manifest, and more clearly made known unto the sons of men, under the Gospel dispensation, than it was before, and especially since the time of the Reformation, to which this book, and the prophecies of it, may have respect; but the same book is here designed, which in (<660501>Revelation 5:1) is represented as in the right hand of him that sat on the throne, as shut and…”
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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
“he had--Greek, "Having." in his hand--in his left hand: as in Rev 10:5 (see on Rev 10:5), he lifts up his right hand to heaven. a little book--a roll little in comparison with the "book" (Rev 5:1) which contained the whole vast scheme of God's purposes, not to be fully read till the final consummation. This other, a less book, contained only a portion which John was now to make his own (Rev 10:9, Rev 10:11), and then to use in prophesying to others. The New Testament begins with the word "book" (Greek, "biblus"), of which "the little book" (Greek, "biblaridion") is the diminutive, "the little bible," the Bible in miniature. upon the sea . . . earth--Though the beast with seven heads is about…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he had in his hand a little book open - This is the first thing that indicated the purpose of his appearing, or that would give any distinct indication of the design of his coming from heaven. The general aspect of the angel, indeed, as represented in the former verse, was that of benignity, and his purpose, as there indicated, was light and peace. But still there was nothing which would denote the particular design for which he came, or which would designate the particular means which he would employ. Here we have, however, an emblem which will furnish an indication of what was to occur as the result of his appearing. To be able to apply this, it will be necessary, as in all similar…”
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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 he had in his hand - His left hand: he swore with his right. He stood with his right foot on the sea, toward the west; his left, on the land, toward the east: so that he looked southward. And so St. John (as Patmos lies near Asia) could conveniently take the book out of his left hand. This sealed book was first in the right hand of him that sat on the throne: thence the Lamb took it, and opened the seals. And now this little book, containing the remainder of the other, is given opened, as it was, to St. John. From this place the Revelation speaks more clearly and less figuratively than before. And he set his right foot upon the sea - Out of which the first beast was to come. And his left…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“10:2-3 Although the scroll is small, it is not unimportant. It reveals a small yet critical part of God’s purposes in events still to come before eternity begins. • he gave a great shout: Cp. Job 37:2-5; Ps 18:13; 29:3-4.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a little: Rev 10:10, Rev 5:1-5, Rev 6:1, Rev 6:3; Eze 2:9, Eze 2:10 he set: Rev 10:5, Rev 10:8; Psa 2:8, Psa 65:5; Pro 8:15, Pro 8:16; Isa 59:19; Mat 28:18; Eph 1:20-22; Phi 2:10, Phi 2:11 Revelation 10:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification