Revelation 15:6

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 15:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with [precious] stone, pure [and] bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with [precious] stone, pure [and] bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.
Revelation 15:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed with [precious] stone, pure [and] bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.

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 seven angels came out of the temple, etc.] By which it appears, that they are such who are of, or belong to the church of Christ; and are either ministers, or members of churches, who will be the executioners of God's wrath upon the beast, and his followers; some copies, and the Complutensian edition, read, “out of heaven”: having the seven plagues; that is, they were appointed to inflict them, and were preparing and furnishing for it, and quickly had orders to do it: clothed in pure and white linen; in which habit angels have been used to appear, as at our Lord's resurrection and ascension, and is by some thought to be expressive of the purity and holiness of angels; but rather…”
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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
“having--So B reads. But A and C, read "who have": not that they had them yet (compare Rev 15:7), but they are by anticipation described according to their office. linen--So B reads. But A, C, and Vulgate, "a stone." On the principle that the harder reading is the one least likely to be an interpolation, we should read, "a stone pure ('and' is omitted in A, B, C, and ANDREAS), brilliant" (so the Greek): probably the diamond. With English Version, compare Act 1:10; Act 10:30. golden girdles--resembling the Lord in this respect (Rev 1:13).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the seven angels - See the notes on Revelation 15:1. Came out of the temple - Were seen to come from the temple; that is, from the immediate presence of God. Having the seven plagues - See the notes on Revelation 15:1. Each one entrusted with a single “plague” to be executed upon the earth. The meaning here is, that they were designated or appointed to execute those plagues in judgments. The symbols of their office - the golden vials - were given to them afterward, Revelation 15:7. Clothed in pure and white linen - The emblem of holiness - the common representation in regard to the heavenly inhabitants. See the notes on Revelation 3:4; Revelation 7:13. Compare Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29;…”
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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 seven angels came out of the temple - As having received their instructions from the oracle of God himself. St. John saw them in heaven, Rev 15:1, before they went into the temple. They appeared in habits like those the high priest wore when he went into the most holy place to consult the oracle. In this was the visible testimony of God's presence. Clothed in pure white linen - Linen is the habit of service and attendance. Pure - unspotted, unsullied. White - Or bright and shining, which implies much more than bare innocence. And having their breasts girt with golden girdles - In token of their high dignity and glorious rest. Revelation 15:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the seven angels: Rev 15:1 clothed: Rev 1:13; Exo 28:5-8; Eze 44:17, Eze 44:18; Luk 24:4 Revelation 15:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification