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Revelation 11:16

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 11:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,
Revelation 11:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14The second Woe is past: behold, the third Woe cometh quickly.
15And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become [the kingdom] of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,
17saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast; because thou hast taken thy great power, and didst reign.
18And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and [the time] to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.
19And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.
← Revelation 11:15Revelation 11:17 →
← Full Chapter 11 Revelation Overview

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 the four and twenty elders, etc.] The same with those in (<660404>Revelation 4:4); which sat before God on their seats; as they are also there described; and which may be expressive of their enjoyment of the divine Presence; and also of their quiet and undisturbed situation, being restored to their former places, which they now possess without molestation and interruption; for as these are the representatives of Gospel churches in all ages, they were with the church in the wilderness during the 1260 days, or years: hence we hear nothing of them from the time of the sealing of the hundred and forty and four thousand, and during the sounding of the trumpets; but now they are restored to…”
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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
“before God--B and Syriac read, "before the throne of God." But A, C, Vulgate, and Coptic read as English Version. seats--Greek, "thrones."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the four and twenty elders which sat ... - See the notes on Revelation 4:4. Fell upon their faces, and worshipped God - Prostrated themselves before him - the usual form of profound adoration. See the notes on Revelation 5:8-14. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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 the four and twenty elders - These shall reign over the earth, Rev 5:10. Who sit before God on their thrones - which we do not read of any angel. Revelation 11:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:16-18 The twenty-four elders, representing the people of God, confirm God’s victorious enthronement (see study note on 4:4). Their worship acknowledges God’s sovereign rule as the Almighty (see 4:10-11; 5:8-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10, Rev 5:5-8, Rev 5:14, Rev 7:11, Rev 19:4 Revelation 11:17”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 11 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification