Revelation 6:13

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

And {G2532} the stars {G792} of heaven {G3772} fell {G4098} unto {G1519} the earth {G1093}, even as {G5613} a fig tree {G4808} casteth {G906} her {G846} untimely figs {G3653}, when she is shaken {G4579} of {G5259} a mighty {G3173} wind {G417}.

The stars fell from heaven to earth just as a fig tree drops its figs when shaken by a strong wind.

and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind.

and the stars of the heaven fell unto the earth, as a fig tree casteth her unripe figs when she is shaken of a great wind.

Revelation 6:13 describes a dramatic cosmic event unfolding during the opening of the sixth seal, a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic visions given to John. This verse vividly portrays celestial bodies falling to the earth, likened to a fig tree shedding its unripe fruit when violently shaken by a powerful wind. It is a powerful image of widespread chaos and divine judgment.

Context of Revelation 6:13

This verse is part of a sequence of judgments unleashed as the Lamb opens the seven seals (Revelation 6). Following the four horsemen of the Apocalypse (representing conquest, war, famine, and death) and the cry of the martyrs under the fifth seal, the sixth seal ushers in a series of cataclysmic natural disasters. These include a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, and the very stars falling from the sky. This imagery signifies the great day of God's wrath, a terrifying display of divine power against a rebellious world. It echoes Old Testament prophecies that describe cosmic disturbances as signs of the Day of the Lord.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The falling stars, along with the other cosmic signs, are clear indicators of God's direct intervention and judgment upon humanity. They symbolize the unraveling of the created order as a consequence of sin.
  • Cataclysmic Events: The verse depicts an overwhelming and universal catastrophe, suggesting a global impact that leaves no one unaffected. This is not a localized event but a profound disruption of the heavens and earth.
  • Figurative Language and Inevitability: The comparison to a fig tree casting its untimely figs (unripe fruit) when shaken by a mighty wind emphasizes the suddenness, completeness, and inevitability of the falling objects. Just as unripe figs are easily dislodged and fall en masse, so too will the celestial bodies (or what they represent) be cast down without resistance.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This imagery resonates with various Old Testament prophecies that speak of the heavens dissolving and falling as part of God's judgment (e.g., Isaiah 34:4). Jesus Himself spoke of cosmic signs preceding His return and the end of the age.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "stars of heaven fell unto the earth" does not necessarily refer to literal stars in the modern astronomical sense. In ancient cosmology, "stars" could encompass various celestial phenomena, including meteors, meteorites, or even comets. The imagery here points to an intense, widespread shower of objects from the sky, causing immense fear and destruction. The Greek word for "untimely figs" is olynthoi (ὀλύνθους), referring to unripe, winter figs that are naturally shed from the tree, especially under stress from a strong wind. This specific detail reinforces the idea of something easily dislodged and falling in great numbers, signifying the ease and totality of this cosmic upheaval.

Practical Application and Reflection

Revelation 6:13 serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate authority and power of God, who controls not only human history but also the very fabric of the cosmos. It underscores the severity of divine judgment for a world that rejects its Creator and His Christ. For believers, this verse, while depicting terrifying events, also points to the unfolding of God's sovereign plan leading to the ultimate establishment of His kingdom. It calls for a life of vigilance, repentance, and unwavering faith, encouraging believers to seek refuge in Christ before the full manifestation of God's wrath. The vivid imagery compels us to consider our spiritual preparedness and to live in light of eternity, recognizing that all earthly stability is ultimately dependent on God's will.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 34:4

    And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling [fig] from the fig tree.

  • Matthew 24:29

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Revelation 8:10

    And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

  • Revelation 8:12

    And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

  • Daniel 8:10

    And it waxed great, [even] to the host of heaven; and it cast down [some] of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

  • Revelation 9:1

    ¶ And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

  • Ezekiel 32:7

    And when I shall put thee out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.

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