Revelation 16:15

Rev 16:15-16. Behold, I come as a thief — Suddenly and unexpectedly. Observe the beautiful abruptness; I, Jesus Christ. Hear him! Thus, when it is foretold that these evil agents will use great art and address in support of their bad cause, the Spirit of wisdom adds a useful caution, warning the faithful servants of Christ to be on their guard against the emissaries of hell, lest they should be deceived to their own destruction. Blessed is he that watcheth — That looks continually for him that comes quickly; and keepeth his garments on him — Which men usually put off when they sleep; that is, that keepeth himself clothed with the robe of righteousness, the garment of salvation; lest he walk naked, and they see his shame — Lest he lose the graces which he takes no care to keep, and others see his sin and punishment. And he gathered them together — The true construction is, And they gathered them together; that is, the evil spirits and agents, before mentioned, gather all the forces of the Popish princes together; into a place called, in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon — That is, the mountain of destruction. Mageddon, or Megiddo, is a place frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, well known in ancient times for many memorable occurrences; in particular, the slaughter of the kings of Canaan, related Jdg 5:19. Here the narrative appears to break off, but is resumed again chap. Rev 19:19.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

16:15 Readers are warned to look because the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief (see also 3:3; Matt 24:43; 25:13; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10). Being ready for his coming requires preparation; those who are not prepared will not have the proper clothing and will find themselves naked (see Matt 22:11-13). This imagery recalls the two failing churches: lifeless Sardis, which is told to “wake up” (Rev 3:2), and lukewarm Laodicea, which is advised to obtain proper clothing (3:18).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Rev 16:15. Τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην) ערוה, the LXX. generally render ἀσχημοσύνη.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

A parenthesis for admonition in which God warneth his holy servants who rest in the expectation of Christ, always to address their minds unto his coming, and to look unto themselves, that they be not shamefully made naked and circumvented of these unclean spirits, and so they be miserable unprepared at the coming of their Lord.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

The gathering of the world kings with the beast against the Lamb is the signal for Christ's coming; therefore He here gives the charge to be watching for His coming and clothed in the garments of justification and sanctification, so as to be accepted.

thief-- (Mat 24:43; Pe2 3:10).

they--saints and angels.

shame--literally, "unseemliness" (Greek, "aschemosunee"): Greek, Co1 13:5 : a different word from the Greek in Rev 3:18 (Greek, "aischunee").

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 15. Behold, I come as a thief.] Here is a sudden but timely warning to put every man on his guard, when this sudden and generally unexpected tribulation should take place.

Keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked] Here is a plain allusion to the office of him who was called the prefect or overseer, of the mountain of the temple. His custom was to go his rounds during the watches of the night; and if he found any of the Levites sleeping on his watch, he had authority to beat him with a stick, and burn his vestments. See Middoth, fol. 34, 1, and Tamid. fol. 27, 2; 28, 1. Such a person being found on his return home naked, it was at once known that he had been found asleep at his post, had been beaten, and his clothes burnt; thus his shame was seen-he was reproached for his infidelity and irreligion.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(15) Behold, I come . . .—Translate, Behold, I come as a thief. It is the oft-repeated Scripture warning (Rev_3:3; 1Th_5:2-3; 2Pe_3:10. Comp. Luk_12:35-40). It reminds us not only that our Lord may come unexpectedly, but that He may even come and we be unaware. There is one day when He will come, and every eye will behold Him; but He comes in various ways and forms to bless and to test man. Blessed are they who are ready, watching. But vigilance is not enough: the garments must be kept. The powers of evil are abroad. Sloth and pleasure may counsel ease, and tempt the watcher to lay aside his garments and take rest and sleep. The earnest watcher desires, like St. Paul, to be found in Christ, clad in the true righteousness of faith (Php_3:9).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. Behold, I come] St John apparently hears, and writes down as he hears, the words of Christ spoken in the midst of his vision.

as a thief] See Rev_3:3 and references.

Blessed is he that watcheth] The image is that of St Mat_24:43, though in the phrase there may be a reminiscence of the different image of St Luk_12:37.

and keepeth his garments] The forewarned householder sits up with his clothes on, and the thief will decamp as soon as he sees him. If he were not forewarned, he might hear the thief at work, and start naked out of bed, but would be too late for anything but a fruitless chase in unseemly and ridiculous guise. It seems quite irrelevant to fancy an allusion to the curious Jewish custom, that if a priest fell asleep on night duty in the Temple, his clothes were set on fire—which of course would have the effect of making him throw them off, and run away naked.

his shame] Lit. uncomeliness, as 1Co_12:23.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And he gathered them together,.... Or rather "they gathered them together", as the Syriac version renders it; for though the verb is singular, a noun plural goes before it, as in Rev 16:14 and the same spirits that are there said to go forth, to gather the kings gether, these will gather them together; will persuade the Papal, Pagan, and Mahometan powers, the remains of them in the several parts of the world, to join together, and make one effort for the reviving of their declining, and almost ruined interests: for which purpose they will be brought together,

into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon; which may be the same with Har-megiddo, the mountain of Megiddo; for the Hebrew word is read "Ar" by the Greeks; so the city Argarize is interpreted the mountain of the most High (d): and this refers either to the slaying of Josiah in the valley of Megiddo, which occasioned such mourning, that it became proverbial for any great sorrow; see Ch2 35:22 where it is called the valley of Megiddon; or rather to the slaughter of Sisera's army at the waters of Megiddo, by Barak, Jdg 5:19 suggesting that the same would be the fate of these united powers. Some derive the word from and which signify "the destruction of their troops", or "armies"; and so designs not any place, that has been or is, but which will be so called from the issue of this battle; and since it is an Hebrew name that will be given it, it may lead us to conclude it will be somewhere in Judea, and very likely no other than the valley of Jehoshaphat, where all nations will be gathered; and which is called the valley of decision, where will be the day of the Lord, and multitudes will be slain, Joe 3:2 though the name will suit any place where there will be a defeat of these enemies; but this vial only brings them together; the utter destruction of them is reserved for the next.

(d) Euseb, Prepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 17. p. 419.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Ver. 15. I come as a thief] Who gives no warning. {See Trapp on "Mat 24:44"} I come suddenly, secretly, yea, and also violently and terribly. See Rev 3:3; Luk 12:34; 1Th 5:2.

Blessed is he that watcheth] The prophecy is here interrupted {as Gen 49:18} to forewarn and forearm the saints; Luk 12:37-38; Luk 12:43, they are three times said to be blessed that watch.

And keepeth his garments] Keepeth himself unspotted of the world, undefiled in the way.

Lest he walk naked, &c.] See Rev 3:18.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Behold, I come as a thief - That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. See the Mat 24:43 note; 1Th 5:2 note. This is designed evidently to admonish people to watch, or to be in readiness for his coming, since, whenever it would occur, it would be at a time when people were not expecting him.

Blessed is he that watcheth - Compare Mat 24:42-44. The meaning here is, that he who watches for these events, who marks the indications of their approach, and who is conscious of a preparation for them, is in a better and happier state of mind than he on whom they come suddenly and unexpectedly.

And keepeth his garments - The allusion here seems to be to one who, regardless of danger, or of the approach of an enemy, should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep. Then the thief might come and take away his garments, leaving him naked. The essential idea, therefore, here, is the duty of vigilance. We are to be awake to duty and to danger; we are not to be found sleeping at our post; we are to be ready for death - ready for the coming of the Son of man.

Lest he walk naked - His raiment being carried away while he is asleep.

And they see his shame - Compare the notes on Rev 3:18. The meaning here is, that, as Christians are clothed with the garments of righteousness, they should not lay them aside, so that their spiritual nakedness should be seen. They are to be always clothed with the robes of salvation; always ready for any event, however soon or suddenly it may come upon them.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

I come as a thief; that is, I come suddenly and unexpectedly: see Mat 24:43,44; Lu 12:39; 1Th 5:2; Rev 3:3. It may be understood either of Christ’s coming to the last judgment, or of his coming in his vindicative providence to be revenged on his enemies.

Blessed is he that watcheth, he is a happy man that maketh it his business to keep himself from sin, in prospect of any such coming,

and keepeth his garments, and that persevereth in my ways and truth;

lest he walk naked, and they see his shame; for if he doth not, he will be found one of those that are not clothed with my righteousness, and his hypocrisy will appear to all men.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

15. Behold—A solemn warning to watchfulness against being seduced by the spirits of devils into the antichristic army. He who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” steals upon us in the midst of these vain shows “as a thief;”—”a thief,” not in his hostile purpose, but in his difficulty of recognition. Yet unless one watcheth and keepeth his garments he will be left to nakedness and shame. The loose garments of the oriental sleeper are easily purloined, and the victim is liable, when he wakes, to walk naked. His safeguard is vigilance.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Behold, I come as a thief. The very words addressed to the Church at Sardis, (Rev_3:3) and similar to those connected by our blessed Lord with the great day (see ver. 14). The mention of that day, and perhaps the knowledge that the battle is a daily one (see on ver. 14), naturally leads to the solemn warning given here. It is worth notice how St. John adopts this idea; and this of itself should suffice to demonstrate the incorrectness of endeavoring to compute the times and seasons, as has been done by so many Apocalyptic writers. (cf. also Mat_24:43 Luk_12:39 1Th_5:2, 4 2Pe_3:10) Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. The same figure again as in Rev_3:17. Isaac Williams correctly points out that these words seem to indicate that the battle of ver. 14 is a daily one, in which Christians are themselves engaged (see on ver. 14). The garment is the garment of righteousness, the fervent love of God. (see on Rev_3:17)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Behold, I come as a thief - Suddenly, unexpectedly. Observe the beautiful abruptness. I - Jesus Christ. Hear him. Happy is he that watcheth. - Looking continually for him that "cometh quickly." And keepeth on his garments - Which men use to put off when they sleep. Lest he walk naked, and they see his shame - Lest he lose the graces which he takes no care to keep, and others see his sin and punishment.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

These consolatory words of Christ seem to be inserted here for the support of the faithful servants of God, against those great preparations of the enemy in the day of battle.

Behold, says Christ, I then come as a thief, secretly, suddenly, and unexpectedly, to destroy these enemies when they least expect me; and then I am at hand to take vengeance on them, and to deliver my church when they least think of me: Blessed is he that watcheth, namely, against those temptations which he will be then exposed to: and keepeth his garments, that is, his profession unspotted from sin, and the defilements of antichrist; lest he walk naked, that is, appear as a man destitute of uprightness and sincerity; and they see his shame, which ever follows upon a sinful course.

Note here, 1. That when Christ comes, he comes suddenly, even as a thief cometh.

2. That although Christ comes suddenly, and as a thief; yet he is pleased to give us warning of his coming: Behold, I come.

3. That when Christ’s coming is near at hand, there is danger that many for want of watchfulness will lose their garments.

4. That is, to such as through negligence shall lose their garments, this misery will befall them; they shall walk naked, and men shall see their shame.

5. That those few who watch and keep their garments, are certainly in a happy and blessed condition: Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments.

William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

15. Behold, I come as a thief. This is interposed in order to give a place for exhortation to be always ready. The Lamb comes when men do not see him.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

General Information:

Verse 15 is a break from the main story line of John's vision. These are words spoken by Jesus. The story line continues in verse 16.

Look! I am coming ... his shameful condition

This is in parentheses to show that it is not part of the story line in the vision. Rather, this is something that the Lord Jesus said. It can be stated clearly that the Lord Jesus said this, as in the UDB. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

I am coming as a thief

Jesus will come at a time when people do not expect him, just as a thief comes when not expected. See how you translated a similar phrase in Revelation 3:3. (See: Simile)

keeping his garments on

Living the right way is spoken of as keeping one's clothes on. AT: "doing what is right, like keeping his clothes on" (See: Metaphor)

keeping his garments on

Some versions translate, "keeping his garments with him."

they see his shameful condition

Here the word "they" refers to other people.

They brought them together

"The spirits of the demons brought the kings and their armies together"

the place that is called

This can be stated in active form. AT: "the place that people call" (See: Active or Passive)

Armageddon

This is the name of a place. (See: How to Translate Names)

translationWords

bless

watch

shame

Hebrew

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

15. ἔρχομαι. א* Primas[563] read ἔρχεται.

[563] Primasius, edited by Haussleiter.

15. ἰδοὺ ἔρχομαι. St John, or another prophet, apparently hears, and writes down as he hears, the words of Christ spoken in the midst of the vision.

ὡς κλέπτης. See Rev 3:3 and references.

μακάριος ὁ γρηγορῶν. This may refer again, as in St Mat 24:43, to a watchful householder ready for the secret and sudden coming of the thief, or, as in St Luk 12:37, to a watchful servant, ready for the coming as sudden and as secret of his Lord.

καὶ τηρῶν. The forewarned householder, if the figure be taken from him, sits up with his clothes on, and the thief will decamp as soon as he sees him. If he were not forewarned, he might hear the thief at work and start naked out of bed, but would be too late for anything but a fruitless chase in unseemly and ridiculous guise. If this be the sense, ὁ γρηγορῶν καὶ τηρῶν must mean, who watches and does not lose: there is no more authority for this sense of τηρεῖν than for the sense of λιβανωτόν in Rev 8:3. If the figure be taken from servants waiting for their Lord, possibly we are to understand that the garments are kept not from loss but from defilement, as in Rev 3:4. The slothful servant is careless too, and either dares not shew himself in the raiment he has defiled, or is stripped of it. As primitive Christianity had many points of contact with Essenism it is not impossible that there may be something like an allusion to the sacred white dress the Essenes reserved for their meals, which were a daily sacrifice and sacrament. This is less irrelevant than the allusion some suggest to the curious Jewish custom that if a priest fell asleep on night duty in the Temple, his clothes were set on fire—which of course would have the effect of making him throw them off and run away naked.

βλέπωσιν. Impersonal, as Rev 12:6.

ἀσχημοσύνην. Lit. “uncomeliness,” cf. τὰ ἀσχήμονα 1Co 12:23.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Behold - shame. These words are parenthetical.

As a thief. Compare Mt 24:43; Luk 12:39; 1Th 5:2, 4; 2Pe 3:10.

Watcheth [γρηρορων] . See on Mr 13:35; 1Pe 5:8 Keepeth his garments. "During the night the captain of the Temple made his rounds. On his approach the guards had to rise and salute him in a particular manner. Any guard found asleep when on duty was beaten, or his garments were set on fire. The confession of one of the Rabbins is on record that, on a certain occasion, his own maternal uncle had actually undergone the punishment of having his clothes set on fire by the captain of the Temple" (Edersheim, "The Temple," etc.).

Shame [ασχημοσυνην] . Only here and Rom 1:27. From aj not and schma fashion. Deformity, unseemliness; nearly answering to the phrase not in good form.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.