TRV
Translation
King James Version
And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
KJV (with Strong's)
And G2532 when G3753 the seven G2033 thunders G1027 had uttered G2980 their G1438 voices G5456, I was about G3195 to write G1125: and G2532 I heard G191 a voice G5456 from G1537 heaven G3772 saying G3004 unto me G3427, Seal up G4972 those things which G3739 the seven G2033 thunders G1027 uttered G2980, and G2532 write G1125 them G5023 not G3361.
Complete Jewish Bible
When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say,
“Seal up the things the seven thunders said,
do not write them down!”
“Seal up the things the seven thunders said,
do not write them down!”
Berean Standard Bible
When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to put it in writing. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”
American Standard Version
And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
World English Bible Messianic
When the seven thunders sounded, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from the sky saying, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders said, and don’t write them.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And whe the seuen thunders had vttered their voyces, I was about to write: but I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me, Seale vp those things which the seuen thunders haue spoken, and write them not.
Young's Literal Translation
and when the seven thunders spake their voices, I was about to write, and I heard a voice out of the heaven saying to me, `Seal the things that the seven thunders spake,' and, `Thou mayest not write these things.'
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 30,866 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Revelation 10 verses 1–7
1 ¶ And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:
2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,
3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.
5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:
7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Here we have an account of another vision the apostle was favoured with, between the sounding of the sixth trumpet and that of the seventh. And we observe,
I. The person who was principally concerned in communicating this discovery to John - an angel from heaven, another mighty angel, who is so set forth as would induce one to think it could be no other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 1. He was clothed with a cloud: he veils his glory, which is too great for mortality to behold; and he throws a veil upon his dispensations. Clouds and darkness are round about him. 2. A rainbow was upon his head; he is always mindful of his covenant, and, when his conduct is most mysterious, yet it is perfectly just and faithful. 3. His face was as the sun, all bright, and full of lustre and majesty, Rev 1:16. 4. His feet were as pillars of fire; all his ways, both of grace and providence, are pure and steady.
II. His station and posture: He set his right foot upon the sea and his left foot upon the earth, to show the absolute power and dominion he had over the world. And he held in his hand a little book opened, probably the same that was before sealed, but was now opened, and gradually fulfilled by him.
III. His awful voice: He cried aloud, as when a lion roareth (Rev 10:3), and his awful voice was echoed by seven thunders, seven solemn and terrible ways of discovering the mind of God.
IV. The prohibition given to the apostle, that he should not publish, but conceal what he had learned from the seven thunders, Rev 10:4. The apostle was for preserving and publishing every thing he saw and heard in these visions, but the time had not yet come.
V. The solemn oath taken by this mighty angel. 1. The manner of his swearing: He lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth for ever, by himself, as God often has done, or by God as God, to whom he, as Lord, Redeemer, and ruler of the world, now appeals. 2. The matter of the oath: that there shall be time no longer; either, (1.) That there shall be now no longer delay in fulfilling the predictions of this book than till the last angel should sound; then every thing should be put into speedy execution: the mystery of God shall be finished, Rev 10:7. Or, (2.) That when this mystery of God is finished time itself shall be no more, as being the measure of things that are in a mutable changing state; but all things shall be at length for ever fixed, and so time itself swallowed up in eternity.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
Copy as
Victorinus of PettauAD 304
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
"Seven thunders uttered their voices." The seven thunders uttering their voices signify, the Holy Spirit of sevenfold power, who through the prophets announced all things to come, and by His voice John gave his testimony in the world; but because he says that he was about to write the things which the thunders had uttered, that is, whatever things had been obscure in the announcements of the Old Testament; he is forbidden to write them, but he was charged to leave them sealed, because he is an apostle, nor was it fitting that the grace of the subsequent stage should be given in the first. "The time," says he, "is at hand."45 For the apostles, by powers, by signs, by portents, and by mighty works, have overcome unbelief. After them there is now given to the same completed Churches the comfort of having the prophetic Scriptures subsequently interpreted, for I said that after the apostles there would be interpreting prophets.
For the apostle says: "And he placed in the Church indeed, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers,"46 and the rest. And in another place he says: "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge."47 And he says: "Every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoureth her head"48 And when he says, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge," he is not speaking in respect of the Catholic prophecy of things unheard and unknown, but of things both announced and known. But let them judge whether or not the interpretation is consistent with the testimonies of the prophetic utterance.49 It is plain, therefore, that to John, armed as he was with superior virtue, this was not necessary, although the body of Christ, which is the Church, adorned with His members, ought to respond to its position.
TiconiusAD 390
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:4
It was said to him, “Do not write” that which you have heard, so that what is in mystery and is reserved to the church would not be revealed to those who are unworthy and faithless.… [Elsewhere] he says, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.” He shows that there are those to whom the mystery ought to be sealed and those to whom it ought to be opened. As the Lord himself said, “To you”—he is speaking to his disciples—“it has been given to know the secret of the kingdom of God, but for others it is in parables.” It says, “Let him who continues to do evil, do evil still, and him who is filthy, be filthy still, and let him who is righteous still perform more righteous deeds, and likewise the holy more holy deeds.” This is to say, “This is why I speak to them in parables, that they who do not see may see and they who see might become blind.” And again, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.” Daniel likewise said, “Seal the book until the time of the consummation.” And [John] explains why he was commanded to seal the book in the following words, “Let the unrighteous transgress so that all the wicked and the sinners might not know, but let those who understand understand.”
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 10:4
This shows that what is now undisclosed is to be explained through experience and the course of the events themselves. And from the heavenly voice the Evangelist learned that the voices are to be imprinted on the mind but that the final understanding and the clear interpretation of them is reserved for the last times.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And when the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write. For earlier he heard: What you see, write in a book (Revelation I).
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, and do not write it down. The mysteries of the Christian faith are neither to be shown to all indiscriminately, lest they become cheap, nor hidden from the worthy, lest they be entirely unknown. Hence, later he heard: Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation XXII). Both are comprehended in one verse in Daniel, where it is said to him through the angel: Seal the book and shut up the words until the appointed time (Daniel XII).
Alcuin of YorkAD 804
COMMENTARY ON REVELATION
And he cried with a loud voice as when a lion roareth. Just as the lion's cry inspires beasts with fear, so does Christ inspire beastlike men with fear by threatening through the holy preachers, according to this: The lion roareth, who will not fear? [Variant of Amos 3:8] And when he had cried, the seven thunders spoke their voices. The seven thunders signify the same thing as the lion's voice, namely the preaching of the Word, as in The voice of thy thunder in a wheel. [Ps. 76:19] Note also that the seven thunders are said to have spoken after the lion's voice because the sevenfold Spirit also taught the apostles to preach what the Lord taught, whence they are called the sons of thunder. [Mark 3:17] They spoke their voices because the holy doctrine does not receive the fables of the Jews or the rubbish of philosophers into its dogmas. However, a very complicated question arises for us in what is said after that: And I was about to write the things which the seven thunders spoke: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying: Seal up the things which the seven thunders have spoken; and write them not. If the holy preaching had not been written, how would it have come to us? It seems therefore that we should understand in this place only a specific kind of writing; for one should know that the reason why we shut something under seal is in order that it should not be open to all, but that it may be loosed in due time for those we trust; whereas what we write openly, we bring to the knowledge of all. Therefore we are ordered not to divulge the mysteries of God's words to everyone indiscriminately, but to supply them with measure and as though from under a seal, according to how able we see people are to receive them; and we are ordered to give milk to drink to some people, and solid food to others. [Ref. to 1 Cor. 3:1-2] The divine mysteries are also shut under a protective seal in order that they should not be disclosed to people who were not going to believe in them at all, because when they do not accept them, they start laughing at them.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
He says that he was about to write what was spoken to the seven spirits. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, and do not write it down." The act of sealing, in one sense, involved impressing the memory firmly upon your mind; but the prohibition against writing it down was a matter of divine economy, for which God knows the reason. Perhaps the punishments that are glorified are actually lighter, and worthy of the goodness of the one who punishes, making them shameful to humans.
What do Gregory the Divine and Evagrius, the great authority on Gnostic matters, say about these things? Gregory asserts that "the punishment surrounding Adam is an act of generosity, for therefore I believe God punishes." And in another context, "neither mercy is indiscriminate nor is judgment merciless." Evagrius, however, declares that "the more recent and worldly thinkers should be forgotten regarding the superior discourse on judgment; for they do not understand the suffering of the rational soul condemned to ignorance."
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Revelation 10:4 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Revelation 10:4 presents a pivotal moment in John's apocalyptic vision where, after hearing the mysterious "seven thunders" utter their voices, he is about to record their message. However, a direct divine command from heaven intervenes, instructing him to "seal up" what the thunders proclaimed and to refrain from writing it down. This striking interdiction highlights God's absolute sovereignty over divine revelation, emphasizing that not all truths are meant for human comprehension or immediate disclosure, and underscores the profound mystery inherent in God's unfolding purposes.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 10:4 employs several powerful literary devices. Symbolism is evident in the "seven thunders," which are not literal meteorological phenomena but rather symbolic entities whose "voices" convey an unrevealed divine message. Their number, "seven," reinforces the pervasive numerology in Revelation, often signifying completeness or divine perfection. The phrase "uttered their voices" could be seen as a form of anthropomorphism, attributing human-like speech to the thunders, though it more broadly implies a discernible, albeit mysterious, communication. The entire scene creates a sense of dramatic irony and suspense: a powerful revelation is hinted at, only to be immediately and deliberately withheld. This builds tension and emphasizes the profound mystery surrounding God's plans. Finally, the direct divine command to "Seal up... and write them not" serves as a powerful imperative, highlighting God's absolute authority and control over the flow of prophetic information, effectively drawing a boundary around human knowledge.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 10:4 profoundly illustrates the principle of divine sovereignty over revelation. It teaches us that God, in His infinite wisdom, chooses what to reveal, when to reveal it, and what to keep hidden. This is not arbitrary secrecy, but a demonstration of His perfect knowledge and control over the cosmic drama. The sealed message of the seven thunders serves as a powerful reminder that human understanding is finite, and there will always be aspects of God's plan and knowledge that remain mysteries to us. Our faith is called to trust God's character and purposes even when we do not fully comprehend His methods or His timeline, acknowledging that "the secret things belong to the Lord our God." This passage encourages humility before the vastness of divine wisdom and redirects our focus from what is unrevealed to the abundant truths God has graciously made known.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 10:4 offers profound lessons for believers today, primarily encouraging a posture of humility and trust in the face of divine mystery. In an age where information is readily accessible and there's often a desire for complete knowledge, this verse serves as a crucial counter-cultural reminder that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are called to trust God's character and purposes even when we do not fully comprehend His methods or His timeline, understanding that some truths are withheld for reasons known only to Him. Instead of fixating on what is not revealed or engaging in endless speculation about unknown prophecies, believers are encouraged to diligently study and apply the truths that God has graciously made known through Scripture. The Bible contains all that is necessary for salvation, knowing God's character, and understanding His will for our lives, providing a sufficient guide for faith and practice. This passage teaches us to accept that some information is beyond our grasp for now, and to rest in the assurance that God's plan is perfect, even when it includes unrevealed elements, fostering a deeper reliance on His wisdom rather than our own limited understanding.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What are the "seven thunders" and why are their messages sealed?
Answer: The Bible does not explicitly identify the "seven thunders," which contributes to their mysterious nature. They are generally understood to be symbolic, representing powerful, perhaps final, divine pronouncements or judgments that God chooses to keep secret. The command to "seal up" their message signifies that this particular revelation is not intended for human knowledge or disclosure at this time. This act underscores God's absolute sovereignty over what He reveals and what He withholds, demonstrating that not all of His plans or judgments are meant for human comprehension. It serves as a reminder that some aspects of divine truth remain hidden, either for a future time or simply as part of God's unsearchable wisdom (Romans 11:33).
Does this verse imply that God keeps important secrets from His people, and if so, why?
Answer: Yes, Revelation 10:4 clearly indicates that God intentionally withholds certain information, even from His most trusted prophets like John. This is not an act of malice or an attempt to deceive, but rather a demonstration of God's perfect wisdom and timing. There are "secret things" that "belong unto the Lord our God" (Deuteronomy 29:29), while "those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children." The reasons for withholding information can include: protecting humanity from knowledge it is not yet ready to receive, preserving divine prerogatives, or simply because some truths are beyond human capacity to fully grasp. This passage encourages humility and trust in God's perfect plan, reminding us that He has revealed all that is necessary for salvation and for living a life pleasing to Him through His Word.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 10:4 highlights God's sovereignty in withholding certain revelations, it paradoxically points to the ultimate and complete revelation found in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, prophets like Daniel were commanded to seal up their prophecies until the "time of the end." However, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the one who opens what was sealed, the Lamb who is worthy to open the scroll in Revelation 5, thus inaugurating the full revelation of God's redemptive plan. Jesus Himself is the Word made flesh, the very embodiment of God's self-disclosure, through whom no one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. The mystery of God, hidden for ages, has now been revealed in Christ through the Gospel, which proclaims salvation to all who believe. Thus, while some prophetic details remain veiled, the most crucial truth—God's love and redemptive purpose—is fully unveiled in Jesus, calling us to trust in the one who is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and end of all revelation. Our knowledge remains in part, but we anticipate the day when we shall see Him face to face and know fully, even as we are fully known.