Revelation 7:13
New International Version
Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

New Living Translation
Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

English Standard Version
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?”

Berean Standard Bible
Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”

Berean Literal Bible
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These having been clothed with the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?"

King James Bible
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

New King James Version
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?”

New American Standard Bible
Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”

NASB 1995
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?”

NASB 1977
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These, clothed in the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?”

Amplified Bible
Then one of the elders responded, saying to me, “These who are dressed in the long white robes—who are they, and from where did they come?”

Christian Standard Bible
Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people in white robes, and where did they come from? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then one of the elders asked me, “Who are these people robed in white, and where did they come from?”

American Standard Version
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?

Contemporary English Version
One of the elders asked me, "Do you know who these people are that are dressed in white robes? Do you know where they come from?"

English Revised Version
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These which are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One of the leaders asked me, "Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?"

Good News Translation
One of the elders asked me, "Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?"

International Standard Version
"Who are these people wearing white robes," one of the elders asked me, "and where did they come from?"

Majority Standard Bible
Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?”

NET Bible
Then one of the elders asked me, "These dressed in long white robes--who are they and where have they come from?"

New Heart English Bible
One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, Who are these that are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

Weymouth New Testament
Then, addressing me, one of the Elders said, "Who are these people clothed in the long white robes? And where have they come from?"

World English Bible
One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These having been clothed with the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?”

Berean Literal Bible
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These having been clothed with the white robes, who are they, and from where have they come?"

Young's Literal Translation
And answer did one of the elders, saying to me, 'These, who have been arrayed with the white robes -- who are they, and whence came they?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, These having put round white robes, who are they? and whence came they.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And one of the ancients answered, and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? and whence came they?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And one of the elders responded and said to me: “These ones who are clothed in white robes, who are they? And where did they come from?”

New American Bible
Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me, “Who are these wearing white robes, and where did they come from?”

New Revised Standard Version
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And one of the elders answered and said to me, Who are these who are arrayed in white robes? And from whence did they come?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And one of The Elders responded and he said to me, “Who are these wearing white garments and from where have they come?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And one of the elders answered, and said to me: "Who are these that are clothed in white robes, and whence came they?

Godbey New Testament
And one of the elders responded, to me saying, Who are these who are clothed in white robes, and whence came they?

Haweis New Testament
And one of the presbyters addressed me, saying, Who are these persons who are clothed in white robes? and from whence came they?

Mace New Testament
Then one of the elders spake, and said to me, who are those that are arrayed in white robes? and whence do they come?

Weymouth New Testament
Then, addressing me, one of the Elders said, "Who are these people clothed in the long white robes? And where have they come from?"

Worrell New Testament
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and whence did they come?"

Worsley New Testament
And one of the elders said unto me, Who are these that are clothed in white robes, and from whence did they come?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Praise from the Great Multitude
12saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,” he asked, “who are they, and where have they come from?” 14“Sir,” I answered, “you know.” So he replied, “These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.…

Cross References
Revelation 6:11
Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

Revelation 19:8
She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.

Revelation 3:5
Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.

Revelation 22:14
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.

Matthew 5:12
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Matthew 24:21
For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.

Daniel 12:1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Zechariah 3:3-5
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. / So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.” / Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him, as the angel of the LORD stood by.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Romans 3:25
God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.

2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;


Treasury of Scripture

And one of the elders answered, saying to me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and from where came they?

one.

Revelation 4:4,10
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold…

Revelation 5:5,11
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof…

arrayed.

Revelation 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

whence.

Genesis 16:8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

Judges 13:6
Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:

John 7:28
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.

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Addressed Addressing Arrayed Clothed Elders Robes Rulers Whence White
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Addressed Addressing Arrayed Clothed Elders Robes Rulers Whence White
Revelation 7
1. An angel seals the servants of God in their foreheads.
4. The number of those who were sealed of the tribes of Israel: 144,000.
9. Of all the other nations an innumerable multitude, which stand before the throne.
14. Their robes were washed in the blood of the Lamb.














Then one of the elders addressed me
In this phrase, "one of the elders" refers to the twenty-four elders mentioned earlier in Revelation, who are often interpreted as representing the redeemed of all ages, possibly symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. The Greek word for "elders" is "presbyteros," which denotes someone of authority and wisdom. This elder takes the initiative to address John, indicating a moment of revelation and teaching. The elders' role in the heavenly vision underscores the continuity of God's covenant people throughout history, bridging the Old and New Testaments.

These in white robes
The "white robes" symbolize purity, victory, and righteousness. In the ancient world, white garments were often associated with festivity and celebration, as well as purity and holiness. The Greek word "leukos" for "white" conveys brightness and brilliance, suggesting divine approval and sanctification. In the context of Revelation, these robes are given to those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, signifying their cleansed state and their participation in the victory of Christ over sin and death.

Who are they, and where have they come from?
This question posed by the elder is rhetorical, designed to draw John's attention to the significance of the vision. It invites reflection on the identity and journey of the multitude in white robes. The inquiry emphasizes the importance of understanding the origin and destiny of God's people. Historically, this question resonates with the theme of pilgrimage and exodus found throughout Scripture, where God's people are often depicted as sojourners and exiles on a journey to the promised land. The elder's question sets the stage for the revelation of the identity and triumph of the saints.

(13) And one of the elders answered, saying unto me.--The seer had asked no question, but the elder answers the wondering thoughts and questionings which fill his mind. Perhaps this scene was in Dante's mind when he described himself in Paradise:

"Silent was I, yet desire

Was painted in my looks; and thus I spake

My wish more earnestly than language could."

--Paradiso, iv. 10-12.

The elder asks the question which he knows St. John would fain ask. These who are clothed in white robes, who are they, and whence came they? The question brings the white robes into prominence. Is it, as has been suggested, that the wonder of the seer is excited more by the emblem of holiness and innocence than anything else? He recognises the multitudes as men and women out of every nation and tribe of sinful humanity, and he sees them clothed in the garb of holiness. Who are these countless throngs of holy ones?

Verse 13. - And one of the elders answered. The elder speaks because he is typical of the Church, concerning which the exposition which he delivers is to be made (see on Revelation 4:4). Where an explanation is made of visions which refer to the Church, the active part is taken by the elders, while angels introduce visions of which the signification is unexplained (cf. Revelation 5:2; Revelation 7:1, 2; Revelation 8; Revelation 10:1, 3, etc.; and Revelation 5:5). Saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? The elder questions that he may teach (Bede).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

one
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

elders
πρεσβυτέρων (presbyterōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.

addressed
ἀπεκρίθη (apekrithē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

me:
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

“These
Οὗτοι (Houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

in
περιβεβλημένοι (peribeblēmenoi)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4016: From peri and ballo; to throw all around, i.e. Invest.

white
λευκὰς (leukas)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3022: White, bright, brilliant. From luke; white.

robes,”
στολὰς (stolas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4749: A long robe, worn by the upper classes in the East. From stello; equipment, i.e., a 'stole' or long-fitting gown.

he asked,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“who
τίνες (tines)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

are they,
εἰσὶν (eisin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

where
πόθεν (pothen)
Adverb
Strong's 4159: From the base of posis with enclitic adverb of origin; from which or what place, state, source or cause.

have they come {from}?”
ἦλθον (ēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2064: To come, go.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 7:13 One of the elders answered saying (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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