Revelation 19 · Verse 11

Revelation 19:11

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Revelation 19:11, King James Version

Revelation 19:11 in other translations

BSB	Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war.
WEB	I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he judges and makes war.
ASV	And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
YLT	And I saw the heaven having been opened, and lo, a white horse, and he who is sitting upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness doth he judge and war,
DARBY	And I saw the heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and one sitting on it, called Faithful and True, and he judges and makes war in righteousness.
BBE	And the heaven was open; and I saw a white horse, and he who was seated on it was named Certain and True; and he is judging and making war in righteousness.
Webster	And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

What does Revelation 19:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

11. behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him--identical with Re 6:2. Here as there he comes forth "conquering and to conquer." Compare the ass-colt on which He rode into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1-7). The horse was used for war: and here He is going forth to war with the beast. The ass is for peace. His riding on it into Jerusalem is an earnest of His reign in Jerusalem over the earth, as the Prince of peace, after all hostile powers have been overthrown. When the security of the world power, and the distress of the people of God, have reached the highest point, the Lord Jesus shall appear visibly from heaven to put an end to the whole course of the world, and establish His kingdom of glory. He comes to judge with vengeance the world power, and to bring to the Church redemption, transfiguration, and power over the world. Distinguish between this coming (Mt 24:27, 29, 37, 39; Greek, "parousia") and the end, or final judgment (Mt 25:31; 1Co 15:23). Powerful natural phenomena shall accompany His advent [Auberlen].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 11. And I saw heaven opened. He saw a new vision, as if an opening were made through the sky, and he was permitted to look into heaven. Rev 4:1.

And behold, a white horse. On the white horse as a symbol, Rev 6:2. He is here the symbol of the final victory that is to be obtained over the beast and the false prophet, (Rev 19:20,) and of the final triumph of the church.

And he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. He is not designated here by his usual and real name, but by his attributes. There can be no doubt that the Messiah is intended, as he goes forth to the subjugation of the world to himself. The attributes here referred to--faithful and true--are peculiarly appropriate, for they are not only strongly marked attributes of his character, but they would be particularly manifested in the events that are described. He would thus show that he was faithful--or worthy of the confidence of his church in delivering it from all its enemies; and true to all the promises that he has made to it.

And in righteousness he doth judge. All his acts of judgment in determining the destiny of men are righteous. Isa 11:3-5.

And make war. That is, the war which he wages is not a war of ambition; it is not for the mere purpose of conquest; it is to save the righteous, and to punish the wicked.

(a) "white horse" Rev 6:2 (b) "faithful and true" Rev 3:14 (c) "righteousness" Ps 45:3,4, Isa 11:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 11 A white horse - This is an exhibition of the triumph of Christ after the destruction of his enemies. The white horse is the emblem of this, and Faithful and True are characters of Christ. See Rev 3:14. In righteousness he doth judge and make war - The wars which he wages are from no principle of ambition, lust of power, or extension of conquest and dominion; they are righteous in their principle and in their object. And this is perhaps what no earthly potentate could ever say.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 19:11-21

Christ, the glorious Head of the church, is described as on a white horse, the emblem of justice and holiness. He has many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. He is arrayed in a vesture dipped in his own blood, by which he purchased his power as Mediator; and in the blood of his enemies, over whom he always prevails. His name is "The Word of God;" a name none fully knows but himself; only this we know, that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his perfections cannot be fully understood by any creature. Angels and saints follow, and are like Christ in their armour of purity and righteousness. The threatenings of the written word he is going to execute on his enemies. The ensigns of his authority are his name; asserting his authority and power, warning the most powerful princes to submit, or they must fall before him. The powers of earth and hell make their utmost effort. These verses declare important events, foretold by the prophets. These persons were not excused because they did what their leaders bade them. How vain will be the plea of many sinners at the great day! We followed our guides; we did as we saw others do! God has given a rule to walk by, in his word; neither the example of the most, nor of the chief, must influence us contrary thereto: if we do as the most do, we must go where the most go, even into the burning lake.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Revelation 19:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532

εἶδονeidonI sawG1492

τὸνton<the>G3588

οὐρανὸνouranonheavenG3772

ἠνεῳγμένονēneōgmenonopenedG455

καὶkaiandG2532

ἰδοὺidoubeholdG2400

ἵπποςipposa horseG2462

λευκόςleukoswhiteG3022

καὶkaiandG2532

ὁhothe [One]G3588

καθήμενοςkathēmenossittingG2521

ἐπ᾽ep᾽uponG1909

αὐτὸνautonitG846

καλούμενοςkaloumenosbeing calledG2564

πιστὸςpistosFaithfulG4103

καὶkaiandG2532

ἀληθινός,alēthinosTrue,G228

καὶkaiandG2532

ἐνeninG1722

δικαιοσύνῃdikaiosunērighteousnessG1343

κρίνειkrineiHe judgesG2919

καὶkaiandG2532

πολεμεῖ·polemeimakes war;G4170

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Revelation 19:11

Psalms 96:13
Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Isaiah 11:3-5
And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Psalms 98:9
Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Psalms 50:6
And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
Revelation 6:2
And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Psalms 45:3-7
Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. …
Isaiah 32:1
Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
Jeremiah 33:15
In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land.
Isaiah 63:1-5
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. …
Revelation 3:14
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Hebrews 7:1-2
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

heaven.
4:1; 11:19; 15:5
a white.
6:2; Zec 1:8
Faithful.
1:5; 3:7,14; Joh 14:6
and in.
15:3-7; Ps 45:3-7; 50:6; 72:2-4; 96:13; 98:9; 99:4; Isa 11:3-5; 32:1
Isa 45:21; 63:1-5; Jer 23:5,6; 33:15; Zec 9:9,10; Heb 7:1,2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Revelation 19:12
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Read all of Revelation 19

Revelation 19:11 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y vi el cielo abierto; y he aquí un caballo blanco, y el que estaba sentado sobre él, era llamado Fiel y Verdadero, el cual con justicia juzga y pelea.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et je vis le ciel ouvert: et voici un cheval blanc, et celui qui est assis dessus appelé fidèle et véritable; et il juge et combat en justice.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und ich sah den Himmel geöffnet, und siehe, ein weißes Pferd, und der darauf saß, genannt Treu und Wahrhaftig, und er richtet und führt Krieg in Gerechtigkeit.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et vidi cælum apertum, et ecce equus albus, et qui sedebat super eum, vocabatur Fidelis, et Verax, et cum justitia judicat et pugnat.