1 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative. I saw in the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne a scroll written on the front and backtn Grk “written on the inside and the outside” (an idiom for having writing on both sides). and sealed with seven seals.tn L&N 6.55 states, “From the immediate context of Re 5:1 it is not possible to determine whether the scroll in question had seven seals on the outside or whether the scroll was sealed at seven different points. However, since according to chapter six of Revelation the seals were broken one after another, it would appear as though the scroll had been sealed at seven different places as it had been rolled up.”

2 And I saw a powerful angel proclaiming in a loud voice: “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?”

3 Buttn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context. no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it.

4 Sotn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of no one being found worthy to open the scroll. I began weeping bitterlytn Grk “much.” because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.

5 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative. one of the elders saidtn Grk “says” (a historical present). to me, “Stop weeping!tn The present imperative with μή (mh) is used here to command cessation of an action in progress (ExSyn 724 lists this verse as an example). Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered;tn Or “has been victorious”; traditionally, “has overcome.” thus he can opentn The infinitive has been translated as an infinitive of result here. the scroll and its seven seals.”

6 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative. I saw standing in the middle of the thronetn Perhaps, “in the middle of the throne area” (see L&N 83.10). and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb that appeared to have been killed.tn Or “slaughtered”; traditionally, “slain.” The phrase behind this translation is ὡς ἐσφαγμένον (Jw" ejsfagmenon). The particle ὡς is used in Greek generally for comparison, and in Revelation it is used often to describe the appearance of what the author saw. This phrase does not imply that the Lamb “appeared to have been killed” but in reality was not, because the wider context of the NT shows that in fact the Lamb, i.e., Jesus, was killed. See 13:3 for the only other occurrence of this phrase in the NT. He hadtn Grk “killed, having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “he.” seven horns and seven eyes, whichsn The relative pronoun which is masculine, referring back to the eyes rather than to the horns. are the seventc There is good ms evidence for the inclusion of “seven” (ἑπτά, Jepta; Ì24 א 2053 2351 ÏK). There is equally good ms support for the omission of the term (A 1006 1611 ÏA pc). It may have been accidentally added due to its repeated presence in the immediately preceding phrases, or it may have been intentionally added to maintain the symmetry of the phrases or more likely to harmonize the phrase with 1:4; 3:1; 4:5. Or it may have been accidentally deleted by way of homoioteleuton (τὰ ἑπτά, ta Jepta). A decision is difficult in this instance. NA27 also does not find the problem easy to solve, placing the word in brackets to indicate doubts as to its authenticity. spirits of Godsn See the note on the phrase the seven spirits of God in Rev 4:5. sent out into all the earth.

7 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision. he came and took the scrolltn The words “the scroll” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context. from the right hand of the one who was seated on the throne,

8 and when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders threw themselves to the groundtn Grk “fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.” before the Lamb. Eachtn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. of them had a harp and golden bowls full of incense (which are the prayers of the saints).sn This interpretive comment by the author forms a parenthesis in the narrative.

9 They were singing a new song:tn The redundant participle λέγοντες (legontes) has not been translated here.

10 You have appointedtn The verb ἐποίησας (epoihsas) is understood to mean “appointed” here. For an example of this use, see Mark 3:14. themtc The vast majority of witnesses have αὐτούς (autous, “them”) here, while the Textus Receptus reads ἡμᾶς (Jhmas, “us”) with insignificant support (pc gig vgcl sa Prim Bea). There is no question that the original text read αὐτούς here. as a kingdom and prieststn The reference to “kingdom and priests” may be a hendiadys: “priestly kingdom.” to servetn The words “to serve” are not in the Greek text, but are implied by the word “priests.” our God, and they will reigntc The textual problem here between the present tense βασιλεύουσιν (basileuousin, “they are reigning”; so A 1006 1611 ÏK pc) and the future βασιλεύσουσιν (basileusousin, “they will reign”; so א 1854 2053 ÏA pc lat co) is a difficult one. Both readings have excellent support. On the one hand, the present tense seems to be the harder reading in this context. On the other hand, codex A elsewhere mistakes the future for the present (20:6). Further, the lunar sigma in uncial script could have been overlooked by some scribes, resulting in the present tense. All things considered, there is a slight preference for the future. on the earth.”

11 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision. I looked and heard the voice of many angels in a circle around the throne, as well as the living creatures and the elders. Theirtn Grk “elders, and the number of them was.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. number was ten thousand times ten thousandtn Or “myriads of myriads.” Although μυριάς (murias) literally means “10,000,” the point of the combination here may simply be to indicate an incalculably huge number. See L&N 60.9. – thousands times thousands –

12 all of whomtn The words “all of whom” are not in the Greek text, but have been supplied to indicate the resumption of the phrase “the voice of many angels” at the beginning of the verse. were singingtn Grk “saying.” in a loud voice:

13 Thentn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision. I heard every creature – in heaven, on earth, under the earth, in the sea, and all that is in them – singing:tn Grk “saying.”

14 And the four living creatures were saying “Amen,” and the elders threw themselves to the groundtn Grk “fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.” and worshiped.