SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:13
¶ Respondi uno de los ancianos, y me pregunt: ¿Estos que estn vestidos de luengas ropas blancas, quines son, y de dnde han venido?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 7:13
Verse 13. One of the elders answered] A Hebraism for spoke. The question is here asked, that the proposer may have the opportunity of answering it.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me , etc.] This elder was not the Apostle Peter, as some Popish interpreters have thought; and still less Pope Silvester, who lived in the times of Constantine; be is much more likely, according to others, to be Constantine himself, the first of the elders, or the chief magistrate when the church sprung out of its troubles, and enjoyed rest and peace; though some have thought of the prophet Isaiah, since many things said by this elder are to be found in his prophecy; compare ( Revelation 7:14,16,17); with ( Isaiah 1:18 49:10 25:8); but it is needless to inquire who the particular person was; it is enough to say, that he was one of the four and twenty elders about the throne, one that belonged to the church, perhaps the same as in ( Revelation 5:5); who, in a visionary way, is represented as accosting John upon the above sight. The word answered is a common Hebraism of the New Testament, which is often used when nothing goes before, to which a return is made; and only signifies here, that the elder opened his month, began to speak, and called to John, and said as follows: what are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they ?
This he said, not as being ignorant of them, or of the reason of their being clothed in this manner, nor of the place and state from whence they came, as appears by the account afterwards given of them by him; but to stir up John to take more notice of them, as being a body of men that were worthy of observation and contemplation, and were worth his while to consider well who they were, and from whence they came; and also to try him whether he knew them or not, and to bring him to a confession of his ignorance; and that he might have an opportunity of giving him some hints about them, which might be useful to him, and to the churches, and for the explanation of this vision, and other parts of this prophecy.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-17 - Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright. Those who would gain knowledge, must not be ashamed to see instruction from any who can give it. The way to heaven is through man tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate u from the love of God. Tribulation makes heaven more welcome and mor glorious. It is not the blood of the martyrs, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin, and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God; other blood stains, this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white and clean. They are happy in their employment; heaven is a state of service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of sloth; it isa praising, delightful rest They have had sorrows, and shed many tears on account of sin an affliction; but God himself, with his own gracious hand, will wip those tears away. He deals with them as a tender father. This shoul support the Christian under all his troubles. As all the redeemed ow their happiness wholly to sovereign mercy; so the work and worship of God their Saviour is their element; his presence and favour complet their happiness, nor can they conceive of any other joy. To Him may all his people come; from him they receive every needed grace; and to his let them offer all praise and glory __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 απεκριθη 611 5662 εις 1520 εκ 1537 των 3588 πρεσβυτερων 4245 λεγων 3004 5723 μοι 3427 ουτοι 3778 οι 3588 περιβεβλημενοι 4016 5772 τας 3588 στολας 4749 τας 3588 λευκας 3022 τινες 5101 εισιν 1526 5748 και 2532 ποθεν 4159 ηλθον 2064 5627
Vincent's NT Word Studies
13. Answered. In the sense of taking up speech in connection with some given occasion, as Matt. xi. 25. See also on John ii. 18.
What are these, etc. The Rev., properly, follows the Greek order, which places first "These which are arrayed in the white robes, who are they?" emphatic and indicating the natural order of the thought as it presents itself to the inquirer. For what, render who, as Rev.
