1 After these things I looked, and there wastn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). a door standing open in heaven!tn Or “in the sky” (the same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky”). And the first voice I had heard speaking to metn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.” like a trumpetsn The phrase speaking to me like a trumpet refers back to Rev 1:10. said: “Come up here so thattn The conjunction καί (kai), much like the vav-consecutive in Hebrew, appears to be introducing a final/purpose clause here rather than a coordinate clause. I can show you what must happen after these things.”

2 Immediately I was in the Spirit,tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75). andtn Grk “and behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1). a throne was standingtn BDAG 537 s.v. κεῖμαι 2 gives the translation “stand” for the term in this verse. in heaven with someone seated on it!

3 And the one seated on it was like jaspertn Grk “jasper stone.”sn Jasper was a semiprecious gemstone, probably green in color (L&N 2.30). and carneliansn Carnelian was a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36). in appearance, and a rainbow looking like it was made of emeraldtn Or “a rainbow emerald-like in appearance.” encircled the throne.

4 Intn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on those thrones were twenty-four elders. They weretn Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were” to indicate the connection to the preceding material. dressed in white clothing and had golden crownssn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11. on their heads.

5 Fromtn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. the throne came out flashes of lightning and roaringtn Or “sounds,” “voices.” It is not entirely clear what this refers to. BDAG 1071 s.v. φωνή 1 states, “In Rv we have ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταί (cp. Ex 19:16) 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 (are certain other sounds in nature thought of here in addition to thunder, as e.g. the roar of the storm?…).” and crashes of thunder. Seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God,sn Some interpret the seven spirits of God as angelic beings, while others see them as a reference to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit. were burning in front of the throne

6 and in front of the throne was something like a sea of glass, like crystal.tn This could refer to rock crystal, but it is possible this refers to ice (an older meaning). See BDAG 571 s.v. κρύσταλλος.

7 Thetn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. first living creature was like a lion, thetn Both here and before the phrase “the third,” καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. second creature like an ox, the third creature had a face like a man’s, and the fourth creature looked like an eagle flying.

8 Each one of the four living creatures had six wingstn Grk “six wings apiece,” but this is redundant with “each one” in English. and was full of eyes all around and inside.tn Some translations render ἔσωθεν (eswqen) as “under [its] wings,” but the description could also mean “filled all around on the outside and on the inside with eyes.” Since the referent is not available to the interpreter, the exact force is difficult to determine. They never rest day or night, saying:tn Or “They never stop saying day and night.”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor,tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more. and thanks to the one who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever,

10 the twenty-four elders throw themselves to the groundtn Grk “the twenty-four elders fall 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 one who sits on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever, and they offer their crownssn See the note on the word crown in Rev 3:11. before histn The pronoun “his” is understood from the demonstrative force of the article τοῦ (tou) before θρόνου (qronou). throne, saying:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,