Revelation 22:18-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 22:6-19

We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the can on of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 22:18-19

22:18,19 I give this warning to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book. And, if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. There are certain things to note about this solemn warning. (i) It is not to be interpreted with absolute literalness. It does not refer... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 22:18

For I testify to every man ,.... These are not the words of a scribe, who having wrote out a copy of this book, added the following adjuration to it, to deter persons from adding to it, or diminishing it; for the book is not yet finished, and both Christ and John speak after this; and to insert such a passage into the text would be a bold and daring action; nor are they even the words of John, the inspired writer of it, but of the Lord Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, as appears from ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 22:19

And if any man shall take away from the prophecy of this book ,.... As he may be said to do, who denies the authority of this book, which has been done by some, and which the Holy Ghost foresaw; or takes it away from, or denies the reading of it to the people, as the Papists do with respect to the whole Scripture; and who wilfully pervert the sense of it, and will not have the things in it, relating to antichrist, to belong to him. God shall take away his part out of the book of life ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 22:18

If any man shall add - Shall give any other meaning to these prophecies, or any other application of them than God intends, he, though not originally intended, shall have the plagues threatened in this book for his portion. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 22:19

If any man shall take away - If any man shall lessen this meaning, curtail the sense, explain away the spirit and design, of these prophecies, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, etc. Thus Jesus Christ warns all those who consider this book to beware of indulging their own conjectures concerning it. I confess that this warning has its own powerful influence upon my mind, and has prevented me from indulging my own conjectures concerning its meaning, or of adopting the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book . Omit "for." The pronoun "I" is emphatic. Here is the solemn appendix or seal of the veracity of the book, somewhat similar to the prefatory words in Revelation 1:1-3 . This is the fulfilment of the duty laid upon St. John in Revelation 1:1 , not an announcement of our Lord himself (cf. the wording of Revelation 1:3 ). If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 22:18-19

Closing words of warning. It would be deemed an unpardonable offence for an ambassador to add words to, or to subtract them from, any royal mandate which he was commissioned to deliverse And if any one in dispensing a physician's prescription, when the life or death of a patient trembled in the balance, were wantonly to tamper with it, what condemnation could be too severe? Yet we fear that the tendency of many in our day is to treat a message in this book far more lightly than they would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 22:18-19

The possibility and penalty of a great crime. "I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man," etc. In these very remarkable words we have two things—the possibility and the penalty of a great crime. The great crime is adding to and taking from the Word. I. THE POSSIBILITY OF A GREAT CRIME . What is the possible crime so solemnly addressed to all who peruse this Apocalypse—this Apocalypse of unseen and eternal truths? 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 22:19

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book; from the tree of life; i.e. that mentioned in Revelation 22:2 and in Revelation 22:14 , where also the city is mentioned. Even from the things written in this book seems to be the real meaning of the last clause; not merely the tree and city which are written, etc. Just as... read more

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