Revelation 14:5

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 14:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.
Revelation 14:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And in their mouth was found no lie: they are without blemish.

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 in their mouth was found no guile, etc.] Or “a lie”, as the Complutensian edition, the Alexandrian copy, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions read; by which may be meant idolatry, for idols and idolatrous practices are often called lies, and lying vanities; (see <241619> Jeremiah 16:19 Amos 1:4 Jon 1:8 <450125>Romans 1:25); and the sense is, that the superstition and idolatry of the church of Rome were not among them: or it may design false doctrine, and the meaning be, that they did not speak lies in hypocrisy, as the followers of antichrist do; nor were they given up to believe a lie, as they are: the generality of copies read, “no guile”; which is expressive of 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
“guile--So ANDREAS in one copy. But A, B, C, ORIGEN, and ANDREAS in other copies read, "falsehood." Compare with English Version reading Psa 32:2; Isa 53:9; Joh 1:47. for--So B, Syriac, Coptic, ORIGEN, and ANDREAS read. But A and C omit. without fault--Greek, "blameless": in respect to the sincerity of their fidelity to Him. Not absolutely, and in themselves blameless; but regarded as such on the ground of His righteousness in whom alone they trusted, and whom they faithfully served by His Spirit in them. The allusion seems to be to Psa 15:1-2. Compare Rev 14:1, "stood on Mount Sion." before the throne of God--A, B, C, Syriac, Coptic, ORIGEN, and ANDREAS omit these words. The oldest Vulgate…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And in their mouth was found no guile - No deceit, fraud, hypocrisy. They were sincerely and truly what they professed to be - the children of God. This is the last characteristic which is given of them as redeemed, and it is not necessary to say that this is always represented as one of the characteristics of the true children of God. See the notes on John 1:47. For they are without fault before the throne of God - The word here rendered “without fault” - ἄμωμοι amōmoi - means, properly, “spotless, without blemish,” 1 Peter 1:19. See the notes on Colossians 1:22. This cannot be construed as meaning that they were by nature pure and holy, but only that they were pure as they stood before…”
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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 in their month there was found no guile - Part for the whole. Nothing untrue, unkind, unholy. They are without fault - Having preserved inviolate a virgin purity both of soul and body. Revelation 14:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in: Psa 32:2, Psa 34:13, Psa 55:11; Pro 8:8; Isa 53:9; Zep 3:13; Mat 12:34; Joh 1:47; Pe1 3:10 without: Sol 4:7; Dan 6:4; Hos 10:2; Luk 23:4; Eph 5:27; Col 1:22; Jde 1:24 Revelation 14:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification