Revelation 22 · Verse 18

Revelation 22:18

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Revelation 22:18, King James Version

Revelation 22:18 in other translations

BSBI testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
WEBI testify 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.
ASVI testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:
YLT‘For I testify to every one hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll, if any one may add unto these, God shall add to him the plagues that have been written in this scroll,
DARBYI testify to every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any one shall add to these things,God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book.
BBEFor I say to every man to whose ears have come the words of this prophet's book, If any man makes an addition to them, God will put on him the punishments which are in this book:
WebsterFor I testify to every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book:

What does Revelation 22:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
18. For I testify--None of our manuscripts have this. A, B, Vulgate, and Andreas read, "I" emphatic in the Greek. "I testify." unto these things--A, B, and Andreas read, "unto them." add ... add--just retribution in kind.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 18. For I testify. The writer does not specify who is meant by the word "I" in this place. The most natural construction is to refer it to the writer himself, and not to the angel, or the Saviour. The meaning is, "I bear this solemn witness, or make this solemn affirmation, in conclusion." The object is to guard his book against being corrupted by any interpolation or change. It would seem not improbable, from this, that as early as the time of John books were liable to be corrupted by additions or omissions, or that at least there was felt to be great danger that mistakes might be made by the carelessness of transcribers. Against this danger, John would guard this book in the most solemn manner. Perhaps he felt, too, that as this book would be necessarily regarded as obscure from the fact that symbols were so much used, there was great danger that changes would be made by well-meaning persons with a view to make it appear more plain.

Unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. The word "heareth" seems here to be used in a very general sense. Perhaps in most cases persons would be made acquainted with the contents of the book by hearing it read in the churches; but still the spirit of the declaration must include all methods of becoming acquainted with it.

If any man shall add unto these things. With a view to furnish a more full and complete revelation; or with a profession that new truth had been communicated by inspiration. The reference here is to the book of Revelation only--for at that time the books that now constitute what we call the Bible were not collected into a single volume. This passage, therefore, should not be adduced as referring to the whole of the sacred Scriptures. Still, the principle is one that is thus applicable; for it is obvious that no one has a right to change any part of a revelation which God makes to man; to presume to add to it, or to take from it, or in any way to modify it. Compare Barnes on "2Ti 3:16".

God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. Th se "plagues" refer to the numerous methods described in this book as those in which God would bring severe judgment upon the persecutors of the church, and the corrupters of religion. The meaning is, that such a person would be regarded as an enemy of his religion, and would share the fearful doom of all such enemies.

(d) "add" Prov 30:6

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 22:6-19

The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Christ will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to…

Read the full comment on Revelation 22:6-19 →

Revelation 22:18 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.

ΜαρτυρῶMarturōTestifyG3140
ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
παντὶpantito everyoneG3956
τῷtōwhoG3588
ἀκούοντιakouontiis hearingG191
τοὺςtoustheG3588
λόγουςlogouswordsG3056
τῆςtēsof theG3588
προφητείαςprophēteiasprophecyG4394
τοῦtouof theG3588
βιβλίουbiblioubookG975
τούτου·toutouthis:G3778
ἐάνeanIfG1437
τιςtisanyoneG5100
ἐπιθῇepithēashall addG2007
ἐπ᾽ep᾽toG1909
αὐτά,autathese things,G846
ἐπιθήσειepithēseiwill addG2007
ὁho<the>G3588
θεὸςtheosGodG2316
ἐπ᾽ep᾽untoG1909
αὐτὸνautonhimG846
τὰςtastheG3588
πληγὰςplēgasplaguesG4127
τὰςtaswhichG3588
γεγραμμέναςgegrammenaswrittenG1125
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtō<the>G3588
βιβλίῳbibliōbookG975
τούτῳ.toutōthis.G3778

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

Cross references for Revelation 22:18

  • Deuteronomy 12:32

    What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

  • Deuteronomy 4:2

    Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

  • Proverbs 30:6

    Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

  • Revelation 1:3

    Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

  • Revelation 22:7

    Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

  • Matthew 15:6-9

    And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

  • Leviticus 26:18

    And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.

  • Leviticus 26:24-25

    Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

  • Leviticus 26:28

    Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

  • Matthew 15:13

    But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

  • Revelation 15:1

    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:6

    That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
testify.
16; 3:14; Eph 4:17; 1Th 4:6
heareth.
1:3
If.
De 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6; Mt 15:6-9,13
God.
14:10,11; 15:1; 16:1; 19:20; 20:10,15; Le 26:18,24,25,28,37

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

Context

  • Revelation 22:17

    And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

  • Revelation 22:18

    For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

  • 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.

Read all of Revelation 22

Revelation 22:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque yo protesto á cualquiera que oye las palabras de la profecía de este libro: Si alguno añadiere á estas cosas, Dios pondrá sobre él las plagas que están escritas en este libro.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Moi, je rends témoignage à quiconque entend les paroles de la prophétie de ce livre, que si quelqu’un ajoute à ces choses, Dieu lui ajoutera les plaies écrites dans ce livre;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Ich bezeuge jedem, der die Worte der Weissagung dieses Buches hört: Wenn jemand zu diesen Dingen hinzufügt, so wird Gott ihm die Plagen hinzufügen, die in diesem Buche geschrieben sind;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Contestor enim omni audienti verba prophetiæ libri hujus: si quis apposuerit ad hæc, apponet Deus super illum plagas scriptas in libro isto.