Revelation 5:4

KJV

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I {G1473} wept {G2799} much {G4183}, because {G3754} no man {G3762} was found {G2147} worthy {G514} to open {G455} and {G2532} to read {G314} the book {G975}, neither {G3777} to look {G991} thereon {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I cried and cried, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

Berean Standard Bible

And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.

American Standard Version

And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 5:4 vividly portrays the profound despair of John in his apocalyptic vision as he witnesses a cosmic crisis: no being in all of creation is found worthy to open, read, or even look upon the divinely significant scroll held by the One seated on the throne. This intense moment of weeping underscores the gravity of humanity's inability and the universal unworthiness of all created beings to unfold God's ultimate redemptive and judgmental purposes, setting the stage for the revelation of the uniquely qualified Redeemer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the majestic and awe-inspiring depiction of God's throne room in [Revelation 4](/revelation/4 "Revelation 4 - The Heavenly Throne Room"), where the holiness, power, and sovereignty of God are celebrated by twenty-four elders and four living creatures. The transition to [Revelation 5](/revelation/5 "Revelation 5 - The Lamb Who Is Worthy") introduces a pivotal object: a scroll sealed with seven seals in the right hand of God ([Revelation 5:1](/revelation/5-1 "Revelation 5:1 - The Sealed Scroll")). A mighty angel then issues a challenge, asking "Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?" ([Revelation 5:2](/revelation/5-2 "Revelation 5:2 - The Angel's Challenge")). The silence that follows this universal search, culminating in the declaration that "no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon" ([Revelation 5:3](/revelation/5-3 "Revelation 5:3 - No One Found Worthy")), directly precipitates John's deep sorrow and weeping in verse 4. This sequence builds dramatic tension, highlighting the immense significance of the scroll and the dire implications if its contents remain sealed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a sealed scroll was familiar in the ancient world, often representing legal documents, wills, or decrees that required specific authority to be opened and executed. Seven seals would indicate a document of utmost importance, whose contents were entirely confidential and whose authority was absolute. In Jewish apocalyptic literature, such scrolls often contained divine secrets, future events, or God's decrees concerning the end times. John, writing from exile on Patmos, likely to churches facing persecution in Asia Minor, would have understood this symbolism as representing God's sovereign plan for history, redemption, and judgment. The inability of anyone to open it would have resonated with the human experience of powerlessness and the desperate need for divine intervention in a world seemingly spiraling out of control under Roman imperial power. The scene taps into a deep spiritual yearning for God's ultimate justice and restoration.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 5:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Universal Unworthiness** of all creation before God's ultimate plan. Neither angelic beings in heaven nor humans on earth, nor even spirits in the underworld, possess the inherent merit or authority to execute God's will as represented by the scroll. Secondly, John's intense weeping highlights the **Profound Despair** that would engulf creation if God's redemptive purposes remained sealed. This moment of crisis emphasizes the futility of human and created efforts to bring about ultimate salvation or justice. Finally, and most importantly, this verse serves as a crucial dramatic setup for the theme of the **Singular Worthiness of Christ**. The universal inability to open the scroll creates an urgent void, preparing the audience for the grand introduction of the only one who is truly qualified—the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David ([Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah")) and the Lamb who was slain ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")). This sets the stage for the unfolding of God's sovereign plan through the unique agency of Jesus Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **wept (Greek, _klaíō'_):** From G2799, this word signifies a deep, audible expression of grief, a wailing aloud rather than silent tears. John's "wept much" (G2799 + G4183 _polýs_) indicates an intense, profound emotional outpouring, reflecting not just personal sorrow but a cosmic anguish over the potential failure of God's redemptive plan to be unveiled. It conveys the gravity of the situation and the depth of John's concern for humanity's fate.
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** From G2147, this verb means "to find," "get," or "obtain," implying a search or discovery. The passive voice, "was found," emphasizes that a thorough search was conducted throughout all realms—heaven, earth, and under the earth—and the result was negative. No one was discovered who met the necessary criteria, highlighting the absolute and universal lack of qualification among created beings.
* **worthy (Greek, _áxios'_):):** From G514, this adjective means "deserving," "comparable," or "suitable," suggesting a necessary weight, value, or merit. In this context, it refers to a supreme moral and authoritative qualification, a status of being perfectly suited and entitled to undertake the monumental task of opening the scroll. The declaration that "no man was found worthy" underscores the unique and unparalleled nature of the worthiness required, which no created being possessed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I wept much,"**: John, the visionary, reacts with profound emotional distress. His weeping is not a casual tear but an intense, audible expression of sorrow and despair, reflecting the cosmic significance of the moment. He understands the dire implications if the scroll, representing God's ultimate plan, cannot be opened.
* **"because no man was found worthy"**: This clause reveals the reason for John's anguish. A universal search has been conducted, encompassing all of creation (heaven, earth, and under the earth, as implied by the preceding verses), and the definitive conclusion is that no created being possesses the necessary merit, authority, or moral qualification to interact with the scroll. This emphasizes the absolute unworthiness of humanity and angelic beings.
* **"to open and to read the book,"**: The primary actions required are to "open" (break the seals) and "read" (understand and proclaim the contents) the scroll. The "book" (G975 _biblíon_) refers to the scroll, which contains God's sovereign purposes for history, judgment, and redemption. The inability to perform these actions means God's plan would remain sealed and unfulfilled.
* **"neither to look thereon."**: This final phrase intensifies the gravity of the situation. Not only is no one worthy to execute the scroll's contents, but no one is even worthy to "look" upon it, implying a lack of purity, authority, or understanding sufficient even to gaze upon its divine mysteries. This underscores the sacredness of the scroll and the profound chasm between created beings and the divine qualification required.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 5:4 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Pathos**, as John's intense weeping ("wept much") is designed to evoke deep emotion and empathy from the reader, mirroring the cosmic despair at the apparent impasse of God's plan. This emotional display underscores the gravity of the situation and the dire consequences if the scroll remains sealed. There is also significant **Anticipation** and **Suspense** built into the narrative. The universal search for a worthy one, followed by the declaration of universal unworthiness and John's weeping, creates a dramatic tension that powerfully sets the stage for the revelation of the one who *is* worthy in the subsequent verses. Finally, the "book" or "scroll" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing God's sovereign plan, decrees, and the unfolding of His redemptive and judgmental purposes for all of history. Its sealed nature symbolizes the mystery and inaccessibility of God's ultimate will to all but the uniquely qualified.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 5:4 is a critical hinge point in the unfolding drama of Revelation, establishing a profound theological truth: the absolute inability of any created being to fully comprehend, execute, or bring about God's ultimate redemptive and judgmental purposes. This universal unworthiness of humanity and angels alike highlights the unique nature of the problem of sin and the chasm it creates between God and creation. It underscores that salvation and the consummation of God's kingdom cannot be achieved through human effort, angelic power, or any created merit. This moment of despair serves to magnify the unparalleled worthiness and indispensable role of Jesus Christ, who alone possesses the divine authority and sacrificial merit to bridge this gap and unveil God's plan. The scene emphasizes that true hope for creation rests solely on the singular qualification of the Lamb who was slain.

* [Revelation 4:1-11](/revelation/4-1-11 "Revelation 4:1-11 - The Throne Room of God"): Establishes the divine majesty and holiness of God, against which all creation's unworthiness is measured.
* [Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah, Root of David"): Immediately follows, introducing the one who *is* worthy to open the scroll, contrasting sharply with the universal unworthiness of verse 4.
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest"): Highlights Jesus' unique qualification as a High Priest who was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin, thus possessing the moral purity and worthiness no other could claim.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John's profound weeping in Revelation 5:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the deep spiritual anguish that should accompany the realization of humanity's utter inability to save itself or to unlock God's ultimate plan. This verse confronts us with the sobering truth that our efforts, no matter how well-intentioned, are insufficient to bridge the chasm between a holy God and a fallen creation. If no one was found worthy, it means that left to ourselves, humanity would remain trapped in its fallen state, and God's glorious purposes would remain forever sealed. This should lead us to a profound sense of humility and a recognition of our absolute dependence on divine intervention. It magnifies the immeasurable grace of God in providing the one and only worthy Savior. Our hope is not in our own strength, wisdom, or righteousness, but entirely in the unique worthiness and accomplished work of Jesus Christ. This passage calls us to abandon self-reliance and place our complete trust in the Lamb who alone can open the scroll of destiny, bringing about redemption and the fulfillment of all God's promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does John's intense weeping reveal about the spiritual stakes of God's plan remaining sealed?**
* **How does the universal search for one "worthy" to open the scroll highlight humanity's inherent limitations and sinfulness?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on your own "worthiness" or capability rather than Christ's?**
* **How does the despair expressed in this verse deepen your appreciation for the subsequent revelation of Christ's unique worthiness?**

### FAQ

**Why was no one found worthy to open the scroll?**

Answer: The scroll in [Revelation 5:1](/revelation/5-1 "Revelation 5:1 - The Sealed Scroll") symbolizes God's sovereign plan for history, redemption, and judgment, a plan that only a being of absolute purity, perfect righteousness, and supreme authority could execute. The search conducted throughout "heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth" ([Revelation 5:3](/revelation/5-3 "Revelation 5:3 - No One Found Worthy")) revealed that no created being—whether angel, human, or spirit—possessed the inherent merit or moral qualification to undertake such a monumental task. All created beings, by nature, fall short of God's perfect standard, and none had the unique authority or sacrificial work necessary to claim the right to unveil and enact God's ultimate purposes. This universal unworthiness underscores the profound chasm between God's perfect holiness and the fallenness of creation, setting the stage for the revelation of the one unique individual who *is* worthy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 5:4, with its depiction of universal unworthiness and John's profound despair, serves as the ultimate setup for the glorious revelation of Jesus Christ as the only one truly worthy. This moment of cosmic crisis is resolved not by any created being, but by the Lamb of God, who alone possesses the unique qualifications to open the scroll and execute God's plan. The elder's comforting words in [Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of Judah") immediately introduce Jesus as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David," who "hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." His worthiness is not inherent as a created being, but stems from His divine nature, His perfect life, and crucially, His sacrificial death and resurrection. He is the [Lamb "as it had been slain"](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain"), whose shed blood purchased people for God "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song of Redemption")). This unparalleled act of redemption, foreshadowed in passages like [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the foundation of His authority. Because He "overcame" sin and death through His atoning work on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")), He alone is able to take the scroll from the hand of God ([Revelation 5:7](/revelation/5-7 "Revelation 5:7 - The Lamb Takes the Scroll")) and unfold the divine purposes. Thus, John's weeping transforms into worship, as the entire cosmos acknowledges Christ's singular worthiness and His central role in the unfolding of God's redemptive history, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 12:8

And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what [shall be] the end of these [things]?

Daniel 12:9

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Revelation 4:1

¶ After this I looked, and, behold, a door [was] opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard [was] as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.