Revelation 19:13

13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:13 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 19:13

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood
Either in his own, by which he became the Saviour of his church and people; or else in the blood of his saints, he now comes to avenge; or rather in the blood of his enemies, with which he appears as stained, before the battle is fought, the victory being sure, and their slaughter unavoidable: the metaphor is taken from persons treading in a winepress, whose garments are stained with blood of grapes; see ( Revelation 19:15 ) ( Genesis 49:11 ) ( Isaiah 63:1-3 ) . Here may be also an allusion to the Roman general's vesture, which was sometimes purple or scarlet, in which he fought, as did Lucullus F19.

And his name is called the Word of God;
the name of Christ, often used by John in his Gospel, epistles, and in this book, ( John 1:1 John 1:14 ) ( 1 John 1:1 ) ( 5:7 ) ( Revelation 1:2 Revelation 1:9 ) . Of the signification, reason, and import of this name, (See Gill on John 1:1). The reason why he is called by it here may be partly to express his greatness, glory, and majesty, this being a name which principally belongs to him, is a person, as the Creator of all things, and as previous to his incarnation; and partly because all the promises of God in his word, and which are all yea, and amen in Christ, will be now shortly fulfilled.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 1. c. 20.

Revelation 19:13 In-Context

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself.
13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Other ancient authorities read [sprinkled with]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.