Revelation 7:16

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 7:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:
Revelation 7:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more, etc.] The words are taken out of (<234910>Isaiah 49:10), and will be true in a literal and corporeal sense. Now the saints are often in hunger and thirst, then they shall be so no more; and in a mystical and spiritual sense, there will be no famine of the word; for though there will not be the outward ministration of the word, as now, the substance of it will be enjoyed, to full satisfaction; nor will there be any uneasy desires after spiritual things, and much less any hungerings and thirstings, or lusting after carnal, sensual, and earthly things. Neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; not the sun of persecution, (see…”
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
“(Isa 49:10). hunger no more--as they did here. thirst any more-- (Joh 4:13). the sun--literally, scorching in the East. Also, symbolically, the sun of persecution. neither . . . light--Greek, "by no means at all . . . light" (fall). heat--as the sirocco.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They shall hunger no more - A considerable portion of the redeemed who will be there, were, when on earth, subjected to the evils of famine; many who perished with hunger. In heaven they will be subjected to that evil no more, for there will be no want that will not be supplied. The bodies which the redeemed will have - spiritual bodies 1 Corinthians 15:44 - will doubtless be such as will be nourished in some other way than by food, if they require any nourishment; and whatever that nourishment may be, it will be fully supplied. The passage here is taken from Isaiah 49:10; “They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them.” See the notes on that passage. Neither…”
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
“Neither shall the sun light on them - For God is there their sun. Nor any painful heat, or inclemency of seasons. Revelation 7:17”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“7:16-17 For desert-dwellers, life-giving water and relief from the scorching sun represent paradise (see also 21:6; 22:1, 17; Ps 23:1-2; Ezek 47:1-12; John 7:37-38). • on the throne (literally on the center of the throne): The Lamb is closely identified with God. • Christ’s designation as the Shepherd of God’s people (cp. Ps 23; Matt 15:24; John 10:3, 11, 14; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25) means that he protects and provides for the sheep, bringing hope and salvation to his people (see Ezek 34:11-16, 23-24).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hunger: Psa 42:2, Psa 63:1, Psa 143:6; Isa 41:17, Isa 49:10, Isa 65:13; Mat 5:6; Luk 1:53, Luk 6:21; Joh 4:14 the sun: Rev 21:4; Psa 121:6; Sol 1:6; Isa 4:5, Isa 4:6, Isa 25:4, Isa 32:2; Jon 4:8; Mat 13:6, Mat 13:21; Mar 4:6, Mar 4:17; Jam 1:11 Revelation 7:17”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification