Revelation 19:15

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
Revelation 19:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.

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 out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, etc.] The Complutensian edition, and all the Oriental versions, with the Vulture Latin, read, “a sharp twoedged sword”. The word of God, or the judiciary sentence of Christ according to it, and which he will fully execute, to the utter destruction of all his enemies; (see Gill on “<660116>Revelation 1:16”) that with it he should smite the nations; the Gentiles, the Papists, the antichristian states, those that have adhered to Babylon, and have drunk of the wine of her fornication. This is predicted in (<042417>Numbers 24:17-19) and on account of this the nations will be angry under the sounding of the seventh trumpet, with which this vision is…”
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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
“out of his mouth . . . sword-- (Rev 1:16; Rev 2:12, Rev 2:16). Here in its avenging power, Th2 2:8, "consume with the Spirit of His mouth" (Isa 11:4, to which there is allusion here); not in its convicting and converting efficacy (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12-13, where also the judicial keenness of the sword-like word is included). The Father commits the judgment to the Son. he shall rule--The HE is emphatic, He and none other, in contrast to the usurpers who have misruled on earth. "Rule," literally, "tend as a shepherd"; but here in a punitive sense. He, who would have shepherded them with pastoral rod and with the golden scepter of His love, shall dash them in pieces, as refractory rebels, with "a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword - See the notes on Revelation 1:16. In that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines, as penetrating the hearts of people; here it is the emblem of a work of destruction worked on his foes. That with it he should smite the nations - The nations that were opposed to him; to wit, those especially who were represented by the beast and the false prophet, Revelation 19:18-20. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron - See the notes on Revelation 2:27; Revelation 12:5. And he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God - This language is probably derived from Isaiah 63:1-4. See it explained in the notes on…”
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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 shall rule them - Who are not slain by his sword. With a rod of iron - That is, if they will not submit to his golden sceptre. And he treadeth the wine press of the wrath of God - That is, he executes his judgments on the ungodly. This ruler of the nations was born (or appeared as such) immediately after the seventh angel began to sound. He now appears, not as a child, but as a victorious warrior. The nations have long ago felt his "iron rod," partly while the heathen Romans, after their savage persecution of the Christians, themselves groaned under numberless plagues and calamities, by his righteous vengeance; partly, while other heathens have been broken in pieces by those who bore…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:15 From his mouth . . . a sharp sword: See 1:16; Heb 4:12; see also Isa 49:2; 2 Thes 2:8. • The iron rod represents Christ’s power as ruler and as supreme shepherd (see Pss 2:9; 23:4). • God, the Almighty: See Rev 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 16:7, 14; 21:22. • His fierce wrath will crush his enemies like grapes in a winepress (Isa 63:2-4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“out: Rev 19:21, Rev 1:16, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:16; Isa 11:4, Isa 30:33; Th2 2:8 and he shall: Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5; Psa 2:9 and he treadeth: Rev 14:17-20; Isa 63:2-6 Revelation 19:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification