Revelation 16:8

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 16:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with fire.
Revelation 16:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And the fourth poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given unto it to scorch men with 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 the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun, etc.] Not literally; and so designs not a violent heat, which shall go before, and be a preparation for the burning of the world; nor any sore famine arising from it, which would be common to all, good and bad; but mystically: some understand this of Christ, the sun of righteousness, not of any wrath that shall be poured forth on him again, being now justified in the Spirit; but either of that clear shining of Christ in the ministry of the word, in those times this vial refers to; when Zion's light will be come, and the light of the sun will be seven fold, and Christ alone will be exalted; which clear ministration of Christ, though it…”
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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
“angel--so Coptic and ANDREAS. But A, B, C, Vulgate, and Syriac omit it. upon--not as in Rev 16:2-3, "into." sun--Whereas by the fourth trumpet the sun is darkened (Rev 8:12) in a third part, here by the fourth vial the sun's bright scorching power is intensified. power was given unto him--rather, "unto it," the sun. men--Greek, "the men," namely, those who had the mark of the beast (Rev 16:2).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun - Toward the sun, or so as to reach the sun. The effect was as if it had been poured upon the sun, giving it an intense heat, and thus inflicting a severe judgment upon people. This corresponds also with the fourth trumpet Revelation 8:12, where it is said, that the “third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars.” For the general meaning of this symbol see the notes on that place. The idea is, that a scene of calamity and woe would occur as if the sun should be made to pour forth such intense heat that people would be “scorched.” It cannot be supposed that the sun would be literally…”
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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
“The fourth poured out his phial upon the sun - Which was likewise affected by the fourth trumpet. There is also a plain resemblance between the first, second, and third phials, and the first, second, and third trumpet. And it was given him - The angel. To scorch the men - Who had the mark of the beast. With fire - As well as with the beams of the sun. So these four phials affected earth, water, fire, and air. Revelation 16:9”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:8-9 The fourth . . . bowl is unlike any of the plagues of Egypt or the earlier seals or trumpets. • Everyone was burned: Contrast 7:16. Yet the recipients of this judgment refused to repent or give God glory (see 9:20-21; 16:11; cp. 14:6-7); they even cursed the name of God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“upon: Rev 6:12, Rev 8:12, Rev 9:2; Isa 24:23; Luk 21:25; Act 2:20 and power: Rev 7:16, Rev 9:17, Rev 9:18, Rev 14:18; Jon 4:8; Mat 13:6 Revelation 16:9”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification