Revelation 7:13

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, etc.] This elder was not the Apostle Peter, as some Popish interpreters have thought; and still less Pope Silvester, who lived in the times of Constantine; be is much more likely, according to others, to be Constantine himself, the first of the elders, or the chief magistrate when the church sprung out of its troubles, and enjoyed rest and peace; though some have thought of the prophet Isaiah, since many things said by this elder are to be found in his prophecy; compare (<660714>Revelation 7:14,16,17); with (<230118>Isaiah 1:18 49:10 25:8); but it is needless to inquire who the particular person was; it is enough to say, that he was one of the…”

“answered--namely, to my thoughts; spoke, asking the question which might have been expected to arise in John's mind from what has gone before. One of the twenty-four elders, representing the Old and New Testament ministry, appropriately acts as interpreter of this vision of the glorified Church. What, &c.--Greek order, "These which are arrayed in white robes, WHO are they?"”

“And one of the elders - See the notes on Revelation 4:4. That is, as there understood, one of the representatives of the church before the throne. Answered - The word “answer,” with us, means “to reply to something which has been said.” In the Bible, however, the word is not infrequently used in the beginning of a speech, where nothing has been said - as if it were a reply to something that might be said on the subject; or to something that is passing through the mind of another; or to something in the case under consideration which suggests an inquiry. Compare Isaiah 65:24; Daniel 2:26; Acts 5:8. Thus it is used here. John was looking on the host, and reflecting on the state of things; and…”

“And one of the elders - What stands, Rev 7:13-17, might have immediately followed Rev 7:10; but that the praise of the angels, which was at the same time with that of the "great multitude," came in between. Answered - He answered St. John's desire to know, not any words that he spoke. Revelation 7:14”

“one: Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10, Rev 5:5, Rev 5:11 arrayed: Rev 7:9 whence: Gen 16:8; Jdg 13:6; Joh 7:28 Revelation 7:14”