BibleWord.ai› Bible› Revelation› Chapter 19› Verse 16

Revelation 19:16

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And he [is] arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white [and] pure.
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.
16And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come [and] be gathered together unto the great supper of God;
18that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.
19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
← Revelation 19:15Revelation 19:17 →
← Full Chapter 19 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 he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, etc.] This name, afterwards expressed, is said to be written on his vesture, in allusion to the custom of persons of note and eminence having their names interwoven in their garments, and which was sometimes done in letters of gold, as Zeuxis had f429; and it is expressive of the conspicuousness of Christ's kingdom, which now will come with observation; his judgments, the administrations of his kingly office, will be manifest, and he will reign before his ancients gloriously: and its being said to be written on his thigh may mean either that it was upon that part of his garment which covered his thigh; or else that it was also on…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“"His name written on His vesture and on His thigh," was written partly on the vesture, partly on the thigh itself, at the part where in an equestrian figure the robe drops from the thigh. The thigh symbolizes Christ's humanity as having come, after the flesh, from the loins of David, and now appearing as the glorified "Son of man." On the other hand, His incommunicable divine name, "which no man knew," is on His head (Rev 19:12), [MENOCHIUS]. KING OF KINGS--Compare Rev 17:14, in contrast with Rev 19:17, the beast being in attempted usurpation a king of kings, the ten kings delivering their kingdom to him.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he hath on his vesture - That is, this name was conspicuously written on his garment - probably his military robe. And on his thigh - The robe or military cloak may be conceived of as open and flowing, so as to expose the limbs of the rider; and the idea is, that the name was conspicuously written not only on the flowing robe, but on the other parts of his dress, so that it must be conspicuous whether his military cloak were wrapped closely around him, or whether it was open to the breeze. Grotius supposes that this name was on the edge or hilt of the sword which depended from his thigh. A name written - Or a title descriptive of his character. King of kings, and Lord of lords - As in…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh - That is, on the part of his vesture which is upon his thigh. A name written - It was usual of old, for great personages in the eastern countries, to have magnificent titles affixed to their garments. Revelation 19:17”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:16 King . . . and Lord: See 1:5; 15:3; 17:14.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“on his vesture: Rev 19:12, Rev 19:13 KING: Rev 17:14; Psa 72:11; Pro 8:15, Pro 8:16; Dan 2:47; Phi 2:9-11; Ti1 6:15 Revelation 19:17”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Revelation 19 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification