Revelation 4:10

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 4:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Revelation 4:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, etc.] The ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and lead in it, who are the four living creatures; when the members of churches, who are the four and twenty elders, follow, and approach the divine Being in a most humble manner: and worship him that liveth for ever and ever: in Spirit, and in truth, with faith and fervency, in every part of duty they are directed to: and cast their crowns before the throne; signifying, that they received them, from him that sits upon it, being by the grace of God what they are; and that they are unworthy to wear them in his presence, being but unprofitable servants in all they…”
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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
“fall--immediately. Greek, "shall fall down": implying that this ascription of praise shall be repeated onward to eternity. So also, "shall worship . . . shall cast their crowns," namely, in acknowledgment that all the merit of their crowns (not kingly diadems, but the crowns of conquerors) is due to Him.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The four and twenty elders fall down before him ... - The representatives of the redeemed church in heaven (see the notes at Revelation 4:4) also unite in the praise. The meaning, if the explanation of the symbol be correct, is, that the church universal unites in praise to God for all that characterizes his administration. In the connection in which this stands here, the sense would be, that as often as there is any new manifestation of the principles of the divine government, the church ascribes new praise to God. Whatever may be thought of this explanation of the meaning of the symbols, of the fact here stated there can be no doubt. The church of God always rejoices when there is any new…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fall: Rev 5:8, Rev 5:14, Rev 19:4; Job 1:20; Psa 72:11; Mat 2:11 worship: Rev 4:9, Rev 7:11, Rev 15:4, Rev 22:8, Rev 22:9; Ch1 29:20; Ch2 7:3; Psa 95:6; Mat 4:9, Mat 4:10; Luk 24:52 cast: Rev 4:4; Ch1 29:11-16; Psa 115:1; Co1 15:10 Revelation 4:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification