Revelation 12:1-2

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 12:1

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: I see no reason to doubt, but that John was all this while in heaven, whither he was taken up, Revelation 4:2, where he saw in a vision a great wonder, or a most remarkable thing. A woman clothed with the sun; I find all valuable interpreters agreeing, that this woman represented the church, well enough compared to a woman; 1. As she is the spouse of Christ (though here expressed as his mother). 2. As the woman is the weaker sex, and the church hath... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 12:2

Being with child; not with Christ considered personally, who was long before brought forth by the virgin Mary, but with the truth, and gospel of Christ, or with Christ mystical. Cried; desiring to bring many children to the kingdom of Christ; or to bring forth Christ in the souls of others: of this burden and labour she desired to be delivered. The phrase is judged to signify both the primitive church’s desire to propagate the gospel, and also her many sufferings for that endeavour. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

THE MISSION OF CHRIST’S CHURCH AND ITS GREAT HINDERERCRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES“IN the set of visions now before us, the Apocalypse unveils the spiritual aspects of the conflict, that we may know that the issue is not between Christianity and un-Christianity alone, but between Christianity and anti-Christianity. Hitherto we have seen the more outward aspects of the great war. Now we are to see its secret, hidden, spiritual—yes, supernatural—aspects, that we may understand what immeasurably... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

Chapter 12And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head [the sun and the moon under her feet, and on her head] a crown of twelve stars ( Revelation 12:1 ):The identity of the woman is found in Genesis as we read of the dream of Joseph, how the sun and the moon and the eleven stars bowed down to him and so the same figure here. We have the identity of the woman as the nation of Israel, those twelve tribes that came out... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 12:1-17

Revelation 12:1 . There appeared a great wonder in heaven; that is, in the church or kingdom of heaven below; for the church has long been called a woman, and a fruitful mother, the bride, and the Lamb’s wife; a lovely metaphor to designate her graces, her glory and beauty. Revelation 12:2 . And she being with child cried out through pain, and was labouring to be delivered. Revelation 12:3 . Behold, a great red dragon. Dr. Peter Allix, a learned biblical writer, has some valuable... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Revelation 12:1-2

Revelation 12:1-2A great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun.The sign of the woman in heavenLet us consider the scene. There is a woman clothed with the sun, crowned with stars, and having the moon under her feet. A woman has ever been the chief symbol of the Church. The relation between the Lord and the Church is most correctly represented by the relation between a true husband and a faithful wife. The husband is delighted to supply his wife with every comfort; his counsel guides,... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Revelation 12:1

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: Ver. 1. And there appeared ] This and the two next following chapters are an exposition of the former vision. A great wonder ] As shadowing out and showing great wonders. In heaven ] That is, in the Church, or (according to some) in the visible heaven, where sun, moon, and stars are. A woman ] Alma mater Ecclesia. The Church is called a... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Revelation 12:2

2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Ver. 2. And she being with child ] And so soon smelt out by the bears of the world. Ursa praegnantem mulierem non solum uteri gravitate notam, sed eam etiam quae pridie conceperit, solam ex omni turba consectatur. (Bodin. Theatr. Nat.) Cried travailing ] Being hard beset with cruel persecutors, she longs to be delivered of a Christian emperor, that might put her out of her pain and misery. She cried ] viz.... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Revelation 12:1

there: Revelation 12:3, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 15:1, 2 Chronicles 32:31, Mark 13:25, Acts 2:19 wonder: or, sign, Matthew 12:38, Matthew 24:30, Luke 21:11, Luke 21:25 a woman: Isaiah 49:14-:, Isaiah 54:5-Judges :, Isaiah 60:1-Numbers :, Hosea 2:19, Hosea 2:20, John 3:29, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-Daniel :, Ephesians 5:32 clothed: Revelation 21:23, Psalms 84:11, Isaiah 60:19, Isaiah 60:20, Isaiah 61:10, Malachi 4:2, Romans 3:22, Romans 13:14, Galatians 3:27 and the: Galatians... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Revelation 12:2

travailing: Revelation 12:4, Isaiah 53:11, Isaiah 54:1, Isaiah 66:7, Isaiah 66:8, Micah 5:3, John 16:21, Galatians 4:19, Galatians 4:27 Reciprocal: Daniel 11:34 - they shall be Romans 8:22 - groaneth Revelation 12:5 - she read more