Revelation 19:21

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, [even the sword] which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, [even the sword] which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 19:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, [even the sword] which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

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 remnant were slain, etc.] Not only the kings of the earth, and their armies, that will now be gathered together, but all the remains of Papists, Pagans, and Mahometans, in the several parts of the world, even all the enemies of Christ: these will be slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse; upon the white horse, as the Ethiopic version reads; the Arabic version reads, that sat upon the throne, which sword proceedeth out of his mouth, (<661915>Revelation 19:15) and is the word of God, or the judiciary sentence of Christ according to it; and the meaning is, either that these shall be subdued, conquered, and converted by the word; and so are fitly called a “remnant”, a…”
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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
“the remnant--Greek, "the rest," that is, "the kings and their armies" (Rev 19:19) classed together in one indiscriminate mass. A solemn confirmation of the warning in Psa 2:10. Next: Revelation Chapter 20”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the remnant - The remainder of the assembled hosts - the army at large, in contradistinction from the leaders. Were slain with the sword - Cut down with the sword; not rescued for protracted torment. A proper distinction is thus made between the deceived multitudes and the leaders who had deceived them. Of him that sat upon the horse - The Messiah, Revelation 19:11. Which sword proceeded out of his mouth - notes on Revelation 19:15. That is, they were cut down by a word. They fell before him as he spake, as if they were slain by the sword. Perhaps this indicates that the effect that is to be produced when these great powers shall be destroyed is a moral effect; that is, that they will be…”
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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
“Here is a most magnificent description of the overthrow of the beast and his adherents. It has, in particular, one exquisite beauty; that, after exhibiting the two opposite armies, and all the apparatus for a battle, Rev 19:11-19; then follows immediately, Rev 19:20, the account of the victory, without one word of an engagement or fighting. Here is the most exact propriety; for what struggle can there be between omnipotence, and the power of all the creation united against it! Every description must have fallen short of this admirable silence. Next: Revelation Chapter 20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“19:21 The entire army of enemies is dispatched by the sword from Christ’s mouth (see 1:16; 2:12, 16; see also Isa 11:4; 49:2; 2 Thes 2:8). While one side of God’s word (grace) leads to repentance, the other side (judgment) carries out the death sentence.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the remnant: Rev 19:11-15, Rev 1:16 and all: Rev 19:17, Rev 19:18, Rev 17:16 Next: Revelation Chapter 20”
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Sources and verification