Revelation 16:3-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 16:1-7

We had in the foregoing chapter the great and solemn preparation that was made for the pouring out of the vials; now we have the performance of that work. Here observe, I. That, though every thing was made ready before, yet nothing was to be put in execution without an immediate positive order from God; and this he gave out of the temple, answering the prayers of his people, and avenging their quarrel. II. No sooner was the word of command given than it was immediately obeyed; no delay, no... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 16:1-21

It will be better to read through the whole chapter before we study it in detail, 16:1-21 1 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying to the seven angels: Go, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God 2 upon the earth. The first angel went away and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and there came an outbreak of evil and malignant ulcerous sores on the men who had the mark of the beast and who worshipped his image. 3 The second poured out his bowl upon the sea; and it became... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:3

And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea ,.... Not literally; and so does not design the stagnation of it, which it is thought will be before the general conflagration; see Amos 7:4 nor is it to be understood of the sea of this world, and the men of it, who are like a troubled sea; but rather of Popish doctrines and councils, which are a sea of errors, and will now be confuted and put an end to. Brightman applies it to the council of Trent, and makes this angel to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:4

And the third angel poured his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters ,.... Which also is not to be literally understood of a stagnation of them, before the burning of the world; nor of the destruction of Popish fleets and navies, such as the Spanish armada in 1588, and others since; but rather of Popish writings, of the most learned and subtle men among them, who like rivers and fountains, which supply and fill the sea, support and keep up the Romish jurisdiction and hierarchy; and of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:5

And I heard the angel of the waters say ,.... So we read in Jewish writings F20 T. Bab. Gittin, fol. 68. 3. of an angel that was שרא דימא , "the prince of the sea", and of angels that were over the waters, and others over fire F21 Yalkut Simeoni, par. 2. fol. 58. 4. par. 2. fol. 167. 4. ; though here is designed not one of the מלאכי מים "angels of the water", that presided ove the waters, as another over fire; See Gill on Revelation 14:18 , but the third angel that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets ,.... Which shows that rivers and fountains cannot be literally understood, but men are designed, wicked and bloody men; and it is notorious to all, how much of the blood of the saints, of the preachers of the Gospel, of the prophets and witnesses, have been shed in Italy, Savoy, and other places near Rome, as well as in Rome itself; see Revelation 17:6 . And thou hast given them blood to drink ; sent the sword among them, making... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 16:7

And I heard another out of the altar say ,.... That is, another angel that came out of the altar; see Revelation 14:18 and who represents the souls under the altar, whose blood had been shed by the above persons; compare with this Revelation 6:9 though, there, such whose blood had been shed by Rome Pagan are described; the Ethiopic version calls this angel as before, "the angel of the fountains of water"; and the Alexandrian copy, and Syriac and Arabic versions, read, "I heard the altar... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:3

As the blood of a dead man - Either meaning blood in a state of putrescency, or an effusion of blood in naval conflicts; even the sea was tinged with the blood of those who were slain in these wars. This is most probably the meaning of this vial. These engagements were so sanguinary that both the conquerors and the conquered were nearly destroyed; every living soul died in the sea. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:4

Upon the rivers and fountains of waters - This is an allusion to the first Egyptian plague, Exodus 7:20 ; and to those plagues in general there are allusions throughout this chapter. It is a sentiment of the rabbins that "whatever plagues God inflicted on the Egyptians in former times, he will inflict on the enemies of his people in all later times." See a long quotation on this subject from Rabbi Tanchum in Schoettgen. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 16:5

The angel of the waters - The rabbins attribute angels, not only to the four elements so called, but to almost every thing besides. We have already seen the angel of the bottomless pit, Revelation 9:11 , and the angel of the fire, Revelation 14:18 . The angel of the earth is spoken of in Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 13, 2, and is called Admael. They have also an angel that presides over the grass; another that presides over the cattle which feed upon the grass. They say that God employed the... read more

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