Revelation 12:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 12:1-5

Revelation 12:1-5. And there appeared a woman clothed with the sun “It was a well-known custom,” says Lowman, “at the time of this prophecy, to represent the several virtues, and public societies, by the figure of a woman in some peculiar dress, many of which are to be seen in the Roman coins; in particular, Salus, the emblem of security and protection, is represented as a woman standing upon a globe, to represent the safety and security of the world under the emperor’s care. The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 12:1-17

12:1-14:20 PICTURES OF CONFLICT AND TRIUMPHThe woman, the child and the dragon (12:1-17)In this vision the woman who gives birth to a son seems to symbolize Israel who produced the Messiah, Jesus. But it is the true Israel, the true people of God, who are pictured here. The faithful of old Israel were those who began the Christian church, and in the church there is no distinction on the basis of nationality. All Christians are now God’s people (12:1-2).Then appears a dragon (identified in verse... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 12:4

And his, &c. Refers to Satan's first rebellion and to those who followed him. drew = draggeth. See John 21:8 . did. Read "he". earth. App-129 . stood = is standing. Perf. tense, indicating abiding action. was . . . delivered = is about to bring forth. for = in order. Greek. hina. devour. Same word as Revelation 10:9 , Revelation 10:10 (eat up); Revelation 20:9 . From Genesis 3:15 till now Satan stands ready to devour the promised "seed", child. App-108 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 12:4

And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon standeth before the woman that is about to be delivered, that when she is delivered he may devour her child.And his tail draweth the third part of the stars of heaven ... Pieters and many other present-day commentators decline to find any meaning here except that of emphasizing the dragon's size;[23] but, "ancient interpreters took the passage as referring to the fall of Satan, who took... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 12:4

4. drew—Greek, present tense, "draweth," "drags down." His dragging down the stars with his tail (lashed back and forward in his fury) implies his persuading to apostatize, like himself, and to become earthy, those angels and also once eminent human teachers who had formerly been heavenly (compare Revelation 12:1; Revelation 1:20; Isaiah 14:12). stood—"stands" [ALFORD]: perfect tense, Greek, "hesteken." ready to be delivered—"about to bring forth." for to devour, &c.—"that when she brought... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 12:1-6

The dragon’s hostility toward the male child 12:1-6This pericope furnishes the plot for the drama that unfolds in the rest of the chapter. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 12:4

The "stars" probably represent the angels Satan led in rebellion against God (cf. Revelation 12:8-9; Revelation 9:1; Daniel 8:10; Judges 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4). [Note: Lenski, p. 356; Thomas, Revelation 8-22, p. 124.] Satan has extensive authority, which this description reflects. God cast Satan and these angels out of heaven to earth. [Note: Govett, 2:21-23; William H. Simcox, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, p. 126; Charles, 1:320.] That is, they no longer had access to God’s presence,... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 12:1-17

The Woman and the Man-Child. The DragonThe persecution which the Church had already suffered, and which was about to burst forth again, is the great fact which underlies the whole ’Revelation.’ The sufferings of the Church and its members have been referred to again and again, particularly in Revelation 11:1-13. In the ’seals’ and the ’trumpets’ the Church has been assured, in a broad and general manner, that God’s judgments will fall upon the world of wickedness, and that the ungodly will bow... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 12:4

(4) And his tail . . .—Translate, And his tail drags (or, sweeps) away the third part of the stars of the heaven, and casts them to the earth. The stars are the light- bearers, the illustrious of earth, who were given by God high place that they might be burning and shining lights for Him. A large proportion of these are drawn away in the train of evil; they are cast down from their high position of noble opportunities of good work and great work; they are dragged down from the height of the... read more

William Nicoll

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

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