Revelation 12:1

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 12:1-17

St. Michael and All Angels Revelation 12:7 Tradition says that the Feast of St. Michael and all Angels was first celebrated in the fourth century; but history states that its general observance did not occur until the eighth century, when it became an annual festival. Since then the Eastern Church has observed it on 8th November; the Anglican Church on 29th September. The belief in angelic creatures has been a favourite article in the universal creed, but the most unequivocal and direct... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

CHAPTER IX.THE FIRST GREAT ENEMY OF THE CHURCH.Revelation 12:1-17.THE twelfth chapter of the Revelation of St John has been felt by every commentator to be one more than usually difficult to interpret, and that whether we look at it in relation to its special purpose, or to its position in the structure of the book. If we can satisfy ourselves as to the first of these two points, we shall be better able to form correct notions as to the second. Turning then for a moment to chap. 13, we find it... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 12:1

12:1 And {1} there appeared a great wonder in heaven; {2} a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:(1) Until now it has been the general prophecy, comprehended in two parts, as I showed in Revelation 11:1-19 . Now will be declared the first part of this prophecy, in this and the next chapter and the latter part in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth chapters. To the first part, which is about the conflicting or militant Church... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

A Woman Clothed with the Sun: Israel A great sign now appears in heaven. We thus are looking at things from heaven's viewpoint, and the vision goes back in time to connect the past with the future so that we may have a clearer view of connected events. The woman (v. 1) is manifestly Israel of whom the Man-child (Christ) is born. "Clothed with the sun" intimates God's counsels as to her when in the Millennium she is clothed with the glory of "The Sun of Righteousness," the blessed Christ of... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

THE SEVEN PERSONAGES INTRODUCTION: THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON (Revelation 12:0 ) The seven personages of this division as identified by Erdman, include the woman, the child, the dragon, the archangel, the remnant (of Israel), the ten-horned beast, and the two-horned beast or false prophet, the first four being found in this chapter. The woman represents Israel it is believed, and the man-child to whom she gave birth, the Messiah. The dragon is Satan, whose ten horns represent the 10 kingdoms... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 12:1

CONTENTS This Chapter opens with the History of the Church, from the Beginning. Here is represented by Figure, that Church, brought forth, and immediately persecuted. A Dragon stands ready to devour. She is preserved in the Wilderness. To these follow an Account of War in Heaven, with the Consequences. read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Revelation 12:1-6

(1) And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (2) And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. (3) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1

A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet. By this woman, interpreters commonly understand the Church of Christ, shining with the light of faith, under the protection of the sun of justice, Jesus Christ. The moon, the Church, hath all changeable things of this world under her feet, the affections of the faithful being raised above them all. --- A woman: the Church of God. It may also, by allusion, be applied to our blessed Lady [the Virgin Mary]. The Church is clothed with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1-6

1-6 The church, under the emblem of a woman, the mother of believers, was seen by the apostle in vision, in heaven. She was clothed with the sun, justified, sanctified, and shining by union with Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. The moon was under her feet; she was superior to the reflected and feebler light of the revelation made by Moses. Having on her head a crown of twelve stars; the doctrine of the gospel, preached by the twelve apostles, is a crown of glory to all true believers. As in... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Revelation 12:1-99

Revelation 12 IN VERSES Rev_12:1 and 3 of chapter 12 we should substitute “sign” for “wonder.” Two signs appeared in heaven, but that which they signified transpired on earth. The woman we judge to be Israel. She is invested with sun, moon and twelve stars, symbols of authority, for it is through Israel that the Divine authority will at last be made effective on earth. Clearly then we view Israel ideally, according to that which is in the purpose of God, and therefore in a light which up to... read more