Revelation 12:1-2

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

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Revelation 12:1-6

The Battle of Michael with the Dragon. The woman clothed with the sun: v. 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; v. 2. and she, being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. v. 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. v. 4. And his tail drew... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Revelation 12:1-12

Revelation 12:1-12b. The Theocracy. Christ. The Churches of the Wilderness, or Church of the Cross1And there appeared [om. there appeared] a great wonder [sign (σημεῖον)—ins. was seen] in [ins. the] heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2And she being with child cried [crieth]1, travailing in birth [om. in birth], and pained [tormented] to be delivered 3[bring forth]. And there appeared [was seen] another wonder [sign] in... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Revelation 12:1-6

“He Shall Reign For Ever and Ever” Revelation 11:14-19 ; Revelation 12:1-6 The kingdom is even now Christ’s, but it is hidden, even as He is. One day it will be manifested. For a long time David was the anointed king of Israel, but Saul sat on the throne until the predestined hour came when the tribes of Israel made David their chosen monarch. This surely is a type of that which will one day become apparent to the whole creation. The kingdom of the world will wholly and permanently become... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

In this and two subsequent chapters we have an interpolation in the account of the actual procedure. Two signs are described, a woman and a dragon, between whom is antagonism. Symbolically, it covers the story of the ages. The ultimate conflict between the dragon and the woman and the final defeat of the dragon will be shown presently. A description is given of a conflict between principalities and powers, fallen and unfallen. Perfect victory is gained through the blood of the Lamb and His... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

The War in Heaven Revelation 12:1-17 and Revelation 13:1-18 INTRODUCTORY WORDS It almost seems folly to try to speak on two chapters in Revelation, at one time. We realize we cannot do either one justice. Our purpose, however, is to present merely the mountain peaks of truth as we move along. 1. We have before us a great wonder in Heaven, John saw this wonder of a woman clothed with the sun, and upon her head a crown filled with stars. That the woman is Israel, there can be little, if any... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1

The Fourth Vision. The Woman Clothed with the Sun and the Beasts. The Woman Clothed With the Sun and the Great Red Monster (Revelation 12:1 to Revelation 13:1 a). ‘And a great sign was seen in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.’ Now we are to have unveiled before us even more details of what has previously been described, going back in history and going forward to the end. These few verses are setting the scene for the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:2

‘And she was with child and cries out, travailing in birth and in pain to be delivered.’ This description of Israel in birth pains comes from Isaiah 66:8; Micah 4:9-10. God has destined his people to suffer in carrying forward the history of salvation. He has chosen them as His means of salvation, but it was to be through much tribulation and anguish that it would be accomplished. The seed of the woman will smite the Serpent’s head, but He will be born through the woman’s travail (Genesis... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

Revelation 12. The Vision of the Woman, the Child, and the Dragon.— This chapter has always presented difficulties to the student of Revelation. Two questions present themselves: ( a) What is the connexion of this chapter with the previous part of the book? ( b) What interpretation did the writer intend his readers to put upon the vision? The first question has been answered in many ways. Some scholars regard this passage as a fresh interlude, and think that it is unconnected with the main... read more