Revelation 2 · Verse 18

Revelation 2:18

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

Revelation 2:18, King James Version

Revelation 2:18 in other translations

BSB	To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.
WEB	“To the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: “The Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like burnished brass, says these things:
ASV	And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:
YLT	‘And to the messenger of the assembly of Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who is having his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet like to fine brass;
DARBY	And to the angel of the assembly in Thyatira write: These things says the Son of God, he that has his eyes as a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass:
BBE	And to the angel of the church in Thyatira say: These things says the Son of God, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, and his feet like polished brass:
Webster	And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

What does Revelation 2:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

18. Thyatira--in Lydia, south of Pergamos. Lydia, the purple-seller of this city, having been converted at Philippi, a Macedonian city (with which Thyatira, as being a Macedonian colony, had naturally much intercourse), was probably the instrument of first carrying the Gospel to her native town. John follows the geographical order here, for Thyatira lay a little to the left of the road from Pergamos to Sardis [Strabo, 13:4]. Son of God ... eyes like ... fire ... feet ... like fine brass--or "glowing brass" (see on Re 1:14,15, whence this description is resumed). Again His attributes accord with His address. The title "Son of God," is from Psa 2:7, 9, which is referred to in Re 2:27. The attribute, "eyes like a flame," &c., answers to Re 2:23, "I am He which searcheth the reins and hearts." The attribute, "feet like ... brass," answers to Re 2:27, "as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers," He treading them to pieces with His strong feet.

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 18. And unto the angel of the church. Rev 1:20.

These things saith the Son of God. This is the first time, in these epistles, that the name of the speaker is referred to. In each other instance, there is merely some attribute of the Saviour mentioned. Perhaps the severity of the rebuke contemplated here made it proper that there should be a more impressive reference to the authority of the speaker; and hence he is introduced as the "Son of God." It is not a reference to him as the "Son of man"--the common appellation which he gave to himself when on earth--for that might have suggested his humanity only, and would not have conveyed the same impression in regard to his authority; but it is to himself as sustaining the rank, and having the authority of the Son of God--one who, therefore, has a right to speak, and a right to demand that what he says shall be heard.

Who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire. Rev 1:14. Before the glance of his eye all is light, and nothing can be concealed from his view. Nothing would be better fitted to inspire awe then, as nothing should be now, than such a reference to the Son of God as being able to penetrate the secret recesses of the heart.

And his feet are like fine brass. Rev 1:15. Perhaps indicative of majesty and glory as he walked in the midst of the churches.

(a) "eyes" Rev 1:14,15

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 18 These things saith the Son of God - See the notes on Rev 1:14-15 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 2:18-29

Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better. All Christians should earnestly desire that their last works may be their best works. Yet this church connived at some wicked seducers. God is known by the judgments he executes; and by this upon seducers, he shows his certain knowledge of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper. Encouragement is given to those who kept themselves pure and undefiled. It is dangerous to despise the mystery of God, and as dangerous to receive the mysteries of Satan. Let us beware of the depths of Satan, of which those who know the least are the most happy. How tender Christ is of his faithful servants! He lays nothing upon his servants but what is for their good. There is promise of an ample reward to the persevering, victorious believer; also knowledge and wisdom, suitable to their power and dominion. Christ brings day with him into the soul, the light of grace and of glory, in the presence and enjoyment of him their Lord and Saviour. After every victory let us follow up our advantage against the enemy, that we may overcome and keep the works of Christ to the end.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Revelation 2:18 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

τῷtōto theG3588

ἀγγέλῳangelōangelG32

τῆςtēsof theG3588

ἐνeninG1722

ΘυατείροιςThuateiroisThyatiraG2363

ἐκκλησίαςekklēsiaschurchG1577

γράψον·grapsondo write:G1125

τάδεtadeThese thingsG3592

λέγειlegeisaysG3004

ὁhotheG3588

υἱὸςhuiosSonG5207

τοῦtou<the>G3588

θεοῦ,theouof God,G2316

ὁhothe [One]G3588

ἔχωνechōnhavingG2192

τοὺςtoustheG3588

ὀφθαλμοὺςophthalmouseyesG3788

αὐτοῦautouof HimG846

ὡςhōslikeG5613

φλόγαphlogaa flameG5395

πυρὸςpurosof fireG4442

καὶkaiandG2532

οἱhoitheG3588

πόδεςpodesfeetG4228

αὐτοῦautouof HimG846

ὅμοιοιhomoioilikeG3664

χαλκολιβάνῳ·chalkolibanōas burnished bronze;G5474

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

Cross references for Revelation 2:18

Revelation 1:14-15
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
John 3:35-36
The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Psalms 2:7
I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
John 5:25
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Romans 8:32
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Matthew 27:54
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Romans 1:4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

unto.
1; 1:11
the Son.
Ps 2:7; Mt 3:17; 4:3-6; 17:5; 27:54; Lu 1:35; Joh 1:14,49
Joh 3:16,18,35,36; 5:25; 10:36; Ac 8:37; Ro 1:4; 8:32
who.
1:14,15

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

Context

Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:18
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
Revelation 2:19
I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Read all of Revelation 2

Revelation 2:18 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en TIATIRA: El Hijo de Dios, que tiene sus ojos como llama de fuego, y sus pies semejantes al latón fino, dice estas cosas:
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et à l’ange de l’assemblée qui est à Thyatire, écris: Voici ce que dit le Fils de Dieu, qui a ses yeux comme une flamme de feu, et dont les pieds sont semblables à de l’airain brillant:
German Elberfelder 1871	Und dem Engel der Versammlung in Thyatira schreibe: Dieses sagt der Sohn Gottes, der seine Augen hat wie eine Feuerflamme und seine Füße gleich glänzendem Kupfer:
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et angelo Thyatiræ ecclesiæ scribe: Hæc dicit Filius Dei, qui habet oculos tamquam flammam ignis, et pedes ejus similes auricalco: