Revelation 20:5

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 20:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
Revelation 20:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 20

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the rest of the dead, etc.] Meaning not the dead saints, for they will be all raised together, but the wicked dead; and not them as morally or spiritually, but as corporeally dead: these lived not again until the thousand years were finished; so that there will be such an exact term of years between the resurrection of the saints and the resurrection of the wicked; nor will there be any wicked living upon earth, or in bodies, during that time; for the wicked dead will not be raised with the saints at Christ's coming, and the wicked living will be destroyed in the conflagration of the world, and neither of them shall live again until the end of these years. This clause is left out in the…”
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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
“But--B, Coptic, and ANDREAS read, "and." A and Vulgate omit it. again--A, B, Vulgate, Coptic, and ANDREAS omit it. "Lived" is used for lived again, as in Rev 2:8. John saw them not only when restored to life, but when in the act of reviving [BENGEL]. first resurrection--"the resurrection of the just." Earth is not yet transfigured, and cannot therefore be the meet locality for the transfigured Church; but from heaven the transfigured saints with Christ rule the earth, there being a much freer communion of the heavenly and earthly churches (a type of which state may be seen in the forty days of the risen Saviour during which He appeared to His disciples), and they know no higher joy than to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But the rest of the dead - In contradistinction from the beheaded martyrs, and from those who had kept themselves pure in the times of great temptation. The phrase “rest of the dead” here would most naturally refer to the “same general class” which was before mentioned - the pious dead. The meaning is, that the martyrs would be honored as if they were raised up and the others not - that is, that special respect would be shown to their principles, their memory, and their character. In other words, “special” honor would be shown “to a spirit of eminent piety” during that period above the “common and ordinary” piety which has been manifested in the church. The “rest of the dead” - the pious…”
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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 rest of the dead lived not till the thousand years - Mentioned, Rev 20:4. Were ended - The thousand years during which Satan is bound both begin and end much sooner. The small time, and the second thousand years, begin at the same point, immediately after the first thousand. But neither the beginning of the first nor of the second thousand will be known to the men upon earth, as both the imprisonment of Satan and his loosing are transacted in the invisible world. By observing these two distinct thousand years, many difficulties are avoided. There is room enough for the fulfilling of all the prophecies, and those which before seemed to clash are reconciled; particularly those which speak,…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“20:5-6 John contrasts the first resurrection with the second death (see 20:12-15; cp. John 5:29).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the rest: Rev 20:8, Rev 20:9, Rev 19:20, Rev 19:21 This: Rev 11:11, Rev 11:15; Eze 37:2-14; Rom 11:15 Revelation 20:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification