And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto me {G3427}, Thou {G4571} must {G1163} prophesy {G4395} again {G3825} before {G1909} many {G4183} peoples {G2992}, and {G2532} nations {G1484}, and {G2532} tongues {G1100}, and {G2532} kings {G935}.
Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”
And they told me, “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.
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Ezekiel 37:4
Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. -
Jeremiah 1:9
Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. -
Jeremiah 1:10
See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. -
Revelation 17:15
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. -
Revelation 11:9
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. -
Ezekiel 37:9
Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. -
Revelation 14:6
¶ And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Revelation 10:11 (KJV) delivers a powerful and renewed commission to John, the visionary of the Apocalypse, after he has consumed the little book in the preceding verses. This verse marks a pivotal moment, shifting from John's personal experience with the scroll to his mandated global responsibility.
Context
This verse immediately follows John's symbolic act of eating a "little book" (or scroll) presented by a mighty angel. The act of eating the scroll, described in Revelation 10:9-10, results in it being "sweet as honey" in his mouth but "bitter" in his stomach, symbolizing the dual nature of God's prophetic message: delightful in its reception but often difficult or painful in its proclamation and fulfillment. Having assimilated this divine word, John is then told he "must prophesy again," indicating a continuation or an intensified phase of his prophetic ministry, now with a broader, universal scope.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings" is a common apocalyptic formula found throughout the book of Revelation (e.g., Revelation 5:9, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 11:9). It powerfully communicates universality, indicating that God's message penetrates every demographic and political boundary. The inclusion of "kings" specifically highlights that even those in authority are subject to God's ultimate decree and must hear His word.
Practical Application
Revelation 10:11 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. Just as John was commissioned to "prophesy again," so too are Christians called to share God's truth with the world. The "bitter" aspect of the message reminds us that proclaiming truth, especially concerning sin and judgment, can be challenging and met with resistance, yet the "sweet" aspect of God's grace and ultimate victory makes it worthwhile. This verse encourages us to embrace our part in the global witness of the Gospel, understanding that God's message is for everyone, regardless of their background or status.