Revelation 19:16

16 On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

Revelation 19:16 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 19:16

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
&c.] This name, afterwards expressed, is said to be written on his vesture, in allusion to the custom of persons of note and eminence having their names interwoven in their garments, and which was sometimes done in letters of gold, as Zeuxis had F20; and it is expressive of the conspicuousness of Christ's kingdom, which now will come with observation; his judgments, the administrations of his kingly office, will be manifest, and he will reign before his ancients gloriously: and its being said to be written on his thigh may mean either that it was upon that part of his garment which covered his thigh; or else that it was also on his sword, which he sometimes girt upon his thigh. Mr. Daubuz has given an instance out of Victor Vitensis, of Clementianus, a monk, who had written on his thigh,

``"a manichee" disciple of Jesus Christ.''

And this being done in Africa, he supposes it to be a Phoenician custom continued. It may here denote the perpetuity of Christ's name, power, and dominion, which will continue to the latest posterity, ( Psalms 72:17 ) which spring from the thigh; and it may denote the subjection of his people to him, signified by the putting the hand under the thigh, ( Genesis 24:2 ) . And this name is

King of kings and Lord of lords;
which will well suit him now when he shall be openly King over all the earth; (See Gill on Revelation 17:14).


FOOTNOTES:

F20 Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 35. c. 9.

Revelation 19:16 In-Context

14 The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him.
15 A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong.
16 On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.
17 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, "Come to the Great Supper of God!
18 Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all - free and slave, small and great!"

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Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.