And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
15. out of his mouth ] Son 1:16, proving, if proof were needed, the identity of the “Son of Man” of that passage with “the Word of God” of this. For the meaning, see the notes there.
sharp ] Some ancient authorities insert “two-edged,” from the parallel passage in ch. 1.
smite the nations ] God is said to smite men with plagues, e.g. Zec 14:18, but nowhere else with a sword. Are we to infer from 1Ch 21:12 what this sword will be? Certainly the ascription to the Lord of the fierce struggles of a human warrior is markedly avoided.
shall rule them ] Lit. shall be their shepherd, as in Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5 Of course in all three places the reference is to Psa 2:9.
and he treadeth ] Isa 63:3. The pronoun “he” is emphatic He Himself, by Himself, as is there expressed.
the winepress ] So we are obliged to translate the single word, e.g. at Rev 14:19; while here we have the fuller phrase, “the winepress of the wine of”, &c.
fierceness and wrath ] Read, fierceness of the wrath.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword – See the notes on Rev 1:16. In that place the sword seems to be an emblem of his words or doctrines, as penetrating the hearts of people; here it is the emblem of a work of destruction worked on his foes.
That with it he should smite the nations – The nations that were opposed to him; to wit, those especially who were represented by the beast and the false prophet, Rev 19:18-20.
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron – See the notes on Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5.
And he treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God – This language is probably derived from Isa 63:1-4. See it explained in the notes on that place, and on Rev 14:19-20. It means here that his enemies would be certainly crushed before him – as grapes are crushed under the feet of him that treads in the winevat.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 15. Out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword] See Clarke on Re 1:16. This appears to mean the word of the Gospel, by which his enemies are confounded, and his friends supported and comforted.
With a rod of iron] He shall execute the severest judgment on the opposers of his truth.
He treaded the winepress] As the grapes are trodden to express the juice, so his enemies shall be bruised and beaten, so that their life’s blood shall be poured out.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword: I can easily agree that this two-edged sword is the word of Christ coming out of his mouth, but not the gospel, (the time was past for that, it was the time of the sacrifice in Bozrah), but his word of command, calling out his people to take vengeance upon the remainder of his enemies. The sword was both the sword of the Lord, commanding it to be drawn, and the sword of his people, whose hands were to wield it.
That with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: with this he now smites the remainder of his enemies, and breaks them to pieces.
And he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God: his enemies were the grapes, that now were put into the winepress of Gods watchful providence; Christ trod them there: see Isa 63:3.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. out of his mouth . . . sword(Rev 1:16; Rev 2:12;Rev 2:16). Here in its avengingpower, 2Th 2:8, “consumewith the Spirit of His mouth” (Isa11:4, to which there is allusion here); not in its convicting andconverting efficacy (Eph 6:17;Heb 4:12; Heb 4:13,where also the judicial keenness of the sword-like word is included).The Father commits the judgment to the Son.
he shall ruleThe HE isemphatic, He and none other, in contrast to the usurpers who havemisruled on earth. “Rule,” literally, “tend as ashepherd”; but here in a punitive sense. He, who would haveshepherded them with pastoral rod and with the golden scepterof His love, shall dash them in pieces, as refractory rebels, with “arod of iron.”
treadeth . . . wine-press(Isa 63:3).
of the fierceness andwrathSo ANDREASreads. But A, B, Vulgate, Coptic, and ORIGENread, “of the fierceness (or boiling indignation) of thewrath,” omitting “and.”
AlmightyThe fiercenessof Christ’s wrath against His foes will be executed with theresources of omnipotence.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword,…. The Complutensian edition, and all the Oriental versions, with the Vulture Latin, read, “a sharp twoedged sword”. The word of God, or the judiciary sentence of Christ according to it, and which he will fully execute, to the utter destruction of all his enemies;
[See comments on Re 1:16] that with it he should smite the nations; the Gentiles, the Papists, the antichristian states, those that have adhered to Babylon, and have drunk of the wine of her fornication. This is predicted in Nu 24:17 and on account of this the nations will be angry under the sounding of the seventh trumpet, with which this vision is contemporary, Re 11:18.
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; use them with the utmost severity; the phrase is taken out of Ps 2:9 a prophecy of Christ, and mentioned twice before in this book, [See comments on Re 2:27],
[See comments on Re 12:5]:
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God; the fierce wrath of God against sinners is compared to a winepress; and the wicked antichristian party are likened to clusters of grapes; who being ripe for destruction, are cast into it, and pressed, squeezed, and trodden down by the mighty power of Christ, the Word of God, whose vesture is therefore before said to be dipped in blood; the same metaphor is used in Re 14:19 the allusion seems to be to Isa 63:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
A sharp sword ( ). As in Rev 1:16; Rev 2:12; Rev 2:15.
That he should smite ( ). Purpose clause with and the first aorist active subjunctive of , old verb already in 11:6 and like Isa 11:4, a figure here for forensic and judicial condemnation.
And he shall rule them ( ). Emphatic use of twice (he himself). Future active of , to shepherd as in Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5 “with a rod of iron” ( ) as there. See 1Pet 2:25; Heb 13:20 for Christ as Shepherd.
And he treadeth ( ). Change to present tense of , to tread (here transitive), with solemn repetition of .
The winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God ( ). Literally, “the winepress of the wine of the wrath of the anger of God the Almighty” (four genitives dependent on one another and on ). These images are here combined from Rev 14:8; Rev 14:10; Rev 14:19; Rev 16:19. The fact is already in 19:13 after Isa 63:1ff.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Sword. See on ch. Rev 1:16.
Smite [] . See on ch. Rev 11:6.
Shall rule [] . See on ch. Rev 2:27.
Wine – press. See on ch. Rev 14:19.
Of the fierceness and wrath [ ] . Omit and, and render, as Rev., the fierceness of the wrath. See on Joh 3:36. Of Almighty God [ ] . Lit., of God the all – ruler. See on ch. Rev 1:8.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And out of his mouth,” (kai ek tou stomatos autou) “And out of (going forth from) his mouth, by his word, order or Divine command, as a conqueror moving in wrath.
2) “Goeth a sharp sword,” (ekporeuetai hroma okseia) “Proceeds a sharp sword;” The sharp sword is His word of judgment with which he threatened Pergamos etc., Rev 2:12; Psa 7:11-13; Isa 11:4; 2Th 2:8; Heb 4:12; Rev 1:16; Rev 19:21.
3) “That with it he should smite the nations,” (hina en aute patakse ta ethne) “In order that (so that) with it he may smite the nations or races; This refers to pagan Gentile unbelievers yet remaining on earth, under the beastly antichrist, at that final hour of earthly judgment.
4) “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron,” (kai autos poimanei autous en hrabdo sidera) “And he will rule them like a shepherd, with an iron staff;” Mat 22:44; Rev 2:27; Psa 2:9; Dan 2:35; Dan 2:44-45; Rev 12:5. As surely as Jesus was caught up to heaven, raptured in a cloud, he shall return to rule, with a rod of iron, a strong hand, Heb 10:36-37; Luk 1:31-34.
5)“And he treadeth the winepress,” (kai autos patei ten lenon) “And he treads the winepress;” pictured as in wrath, Isa 63:3; Described further Rev 14:19-20.
6) “Of the fierceness,” (tou oinou tou thumou) “Of the wine dregs of impassioned anger,” which the wicked are given to drink in all their bitterness. Psa 75:8.
7) “And wrath of Almighty God,” (tes orges tou theou tou pantokratopos) “Of the wrath of Almighty God; 2Th 1:7-10; Rev 6:17.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) And out of his mouth . . .Translate, And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with (literally, in) it He may smite the nations: and He (Himself) shall shepherd them with (literally, in) a rod of iron: and He (Himself) treadeth the winepress of the wine of the wrath of the anger of God the All ruler. The sharp sword is the same that we have read of before (Rev. 1:16); there it was called the two-edged sword. The omission of the epithet in this passage, which describes the Word of God as the conqueror and the judge, is not without significance. The sword is now wielded for but one workthe word that Christ spoke will judge men at the last day (Joh. 12:48). The power of this word found an illustration in the falling back of the hostile band which came to take Him in the day of His humiliation (Joh. 18:5); yet more gloriously will the power of His word be felt (comp. Isa. 11:4; Jer. 23:29; 2Th. 2:8) when He will slay the wicked with the word of His mouth. The passage in Psa. 2:9 must be borne in mind. Christ comes as King; His is a rule in righteousness; those who oppose this kingdom of righteousness find the shepherds staff as a rod of iron; the stone rejected falls upon the builders, and grinds them to powder. It is thus that the winepress of Gods wrath is set up, and the righteous King appears as one who treads it out. (Comp. Isa. 63:1-3.) He Himself (the emphasis lies here) treads it. We have again the figure of the vintage made use of. (Comp. Rev. 14:20.) It is the harvest of retribution; the wicked are filled with the fruit of their own doings; so is the work seen to be the work of the All-Ruler.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. There is but one sword in the armies, and that belongs to the leader. And it brandishes not from his hand, but from his mouth. The image blends the double thought of conversion and destruction. See note on Rev 1:16.
Here is verified the truth of our note on St. Paul’s (2Th 2:8) “whom the Lord shall destroy with the spirit of his mouth.” Here it is the spiritual power going forth from the lips of the Word of God that overthrows the power of antichrist. At Rev 20:9-10, that same antichrist will be not only overthrown but destroyed “by the brightness of his coming.”
Smite the nations But not destroy. On the extent of these nations see note, Rev 17:16.
Rule them Literally, shall shepherd them. He guards and controls them as the sheep of his pasture.
But his crook is a powerful, or benevolently despotic, one. It is a rod (or sceptre) of iron It rules with exactness, and those unyielding to its sway receive its destroying stroke.
Treadeth the wine-press The ruddy image of carnage and destruction.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And out of his mouth proceeds a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations. And he will rule them with a rod of iron, and he treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God Almighty.’
The sword here is ‘romphaia’ as in Rev 1:16; Rev 2:12; Rev 2:16; Rev 6:8. Only elsewhere used in Luk 2:35. But this last reference shows that the difference between this and machaira is not to be pressed. If anything it means a longer, more powerful sword.
In Rev 1:16 the sword is a sharp two-edged sword. It cuts both ways and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (see Heb 4:11 where it is connected with the word of God, compare also Eph 6:17 where the sword (machaira) of the Spirit is the word of God). Nothing can evade it. That it comes from His mouth stresses firmly that it is not to be taken literally but refers to His powerful word (Heb 1:3). With it He will smite the nations, bringing them into judgment and meting out to them their fate. He will smite the earth with the rod of His mouth and by the breath of His lips He will slay the Wicked One (Isa 11:4; 2Th 2:8).
‘He will rule (or judge, or destroy) them with a rod of iron.’ The rod of iron (compare Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5), when defined, is a rod of punishment and refers to expressing rule in judgment, not to a continual reign. In Isa 11:4 His words are such a rod. Psa 2:9 describes Him as breaking with a rod of iron and dashing in pieces like a potter’s vessel and Rev 2:27 also has this in mind. He expresses His Rule by judgment. The word translated ‘rule’ here is regularly used in LXX (the Greek Old Testament) for ‘destroy’, which suggests we should translate in that way here. This meaning is confirmed by the next words, ‘He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God Almighty’. The Bible never tries to hide from the fact of God’s wrath. It is never uncontrolled but always a determined attitude taken towards sin and sinners. It is never excessive. He gives only what they have earned and deserve.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Ver. 15. A sharp sword ] The word, Eph 6:17 ; the rod wherewith he smiteth the earth, Isa 11:4 ; the breath of his mouth, whereby Antichrist shall be overthrown, as by force of arms, so also of arguments.
The nations ] The paganish pa-pagans. See the book entitled Paganopapismus; wherein is proved that papism is flat paganism, and that the Papists do resemble the very pagans in above seven score individual things.
And he treadeth the winepress ] At Armageddon, Rev 16:16 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 19:15 . The victory of the messiah is single-handed (“I have trodden the wine-press alone”); cf. on Rev 19:13 , an d Sap. 18:22, P s. Sol. 17:24 27, where the word of messiah’s mouth is the sole weapon of his victory (an Iranian touch as in S. B. E. iv. p. lxxvii. f., the distinguishing excellence of Zoroaster is that his chief weapon is spiritual, i.e. , the word or prayer). This fine idea, taken originally from Isaiah, was reproduced, naturally in a more or less realistic shape, by the rabbis who applied it to Moses at Exo 2:11 (Clem. Alex. Stron. i. 23), and by apocalyptists (2Th 2:8 ; Ap. Bar. xxxvi. f., liii. f.; 4 Esd. 10:60 f., and here) who assigned an active rle to the messiah in the latter days. The meaning of the sword-symbol is that “the whole counsel of God is accomplished by Jesus as a stern judgment with resistless power” (Baur). Thus the final rout of the devil, anticipated in Rev 12:12 , is carried out (1.) by the overthrow of his subordinates (mentioned in ch. 13) here, and then (2) by his own defeat (Rev 20:10 ), although in finishing the torso of ch. 12. (Bousset) the prophet characteristically has recourse to materials drawn from very different cycles of current messianic tradition.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
This verse contains references to Psa 2:9. Isa 11:4; Isa 49:2; Isa 63:3.
out of. App-104.
rule. Literally “shepherd”. Greek. poimaino. See Rev 2:27; Rev 2:7. Rev 2:17; Rev 12:5.
rod = sceptre. See Psa 2:9.
and. The texts read here “of the Almighty” (Rev 19:6).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 19:15. , rompha [a javelin or sword]) for slaughter.-, with a rod) for subduing.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
out: Rev 19:21, Rev 1:16, Rev 2:12, Rev 2:16, Isa 11:4, Isa 30:33, 2Th 2:8
and he shall: Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5, Psa 2:9
and he treadeth: Rev 14:17-20, Isa 63:2-6
Reciprocal: Job 15:30 – by the breath Job 21:20 – drink Psa 2:5 – Then Psa 9:5 – rebuked Psa 9:19 – let the Psa 21:8 – General Psa 21:9 – in his Psa 45:3 – Gird Psa 57:4 – tongue Psa 60:12 – tread Psa 145:12 – make known Isa 10:26 – his rod Isa 34:2 – the indignation Isa 49:2 – he hath made Isa 59:18 – fury Jer 25:30 – give Jer 50:26 – cast her up Lam 1:15 – as in Dan 2:44 – break Zec 9:13 – made Luk 14:21 – being Joh 8:7 – and said Rom 4:15 – Because Eph 6:17 – the sword Heb 4:12 – sharper Rev 1:8 – the Almighty Rev 4:8 – Lord God Almighty Rev 6:16 – and from Rev 11:18 – and thy Rev 14:19 – and cast Rev 15:1 – is filled Rev 17:8 – go Rev 17:14 – shall make Rev 21:22 – the Lord
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 19:15. The sharp sword is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12). Smite the nations with this Word by the work of the Reformation. Rule with a rod of iron. Iron is both firm and severe, and it will be used in the latter sense against the wicked nations who have been supporting Babylon. Treadeth the winepress is explained at chapter 14:10.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 15.
The psalm prophecy is quoted by the apostle Peter in Act 4:25-26 with this application of the effect of preaching Christ to the heathen world. The ruling with a rod of iron referred to the inexorable character of the law of Christ–the invincible word of God. The treading of the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of God was the symbol of the execution of the inflexible judgment of retribution. And in Revelation it was Almighty God, the supreme Judge of all men, who should formulate the sentence and render the judgment against the heathen nations.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 19:15. On the sharp sword mentioned in this verse comp. chaps. Rev 1:16, Rev 2:12; Rev 2:16. On the tending as a shepherd comp. Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5. The heaping up of words of judgment in the last clause is very striking, the winepress of the wine of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. For the winepress comp. chap. Rev 14:19-20.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The sword coming out of Christ’s mouth ( Rev 1:16 ; Rev 2:12 ; Rev 2:16 ) must be the word of God ( Heb 4:12-13 ; Eph 6:17 ), however, it will no longer be used to convert sinners but to judge the wicked. ( Joh 12:48-50 ) Hinds says, “Ruling with a rod of iron means in strict justice whether in imparting favors or in inflicting punishment.” ( Psa 2:7-9 ; Isa 11:4 ; Isa 12:5 ; Rev 2:27 ; Rev 12:5 ) The winepress of God’s wrath is used in the judgment of the wicked. ( Rev 14:19-20 ) Jesus is now reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords. ( 1Ti 6:15 ) All the world will recognize him as such when he comes in judgment. (Compare 17:14; Php 2:9-11 )
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
19:15 {15} And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
(15) The effects of Christ prepared to fight, that with his mouth he strikes the Gentiles, rules and destroys.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Christ will strike down His enemies with a word that His long, tongue-shaped sword (Gr. hromphaia) symbolized (cf. Rev 1:16; Isa 11:4; Isa 49:2). He will destroy His enemies with inflexible righteousness that the iron shepherd’s rod that will serve as His scepter pictures (cf. Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5; Psa 2:9; Psalms 45). Ruling includes destroying as well as reigning over (Psa 2:9). He will execute the fierce wrath of God Almighty that these enemies must drink (cf. Rev 19:13; Rev 14:8; Rev 14:10; Rev 14:19-20; Rev 16:19; Isa 63:1-6). God will judge Israel, namely, Jews living when He returns (Eze 20:33-38), and the Gentiles living then (Mat 25:31-46).