Revelation 6:16

KJV

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} said {G3004} to the mountains {G3735} and {G2532} rocks {G4073}, Fall {G4098} on {G1909} us {G2248}, and {G2532} hide {G2928} us {G2248} from {G575} the face {G4383} of him that sitteth {G2521} on {G1909} the throne {G2362}, and {G2532} from {G575} the wrath {G3709} of the Lamb {G721}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the One sitting on the throne and from the fury of the Lamb!

Berean Standard Bible

And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

American Standard Version

and they say to the mountains and to the rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 6:16 captures the desperate cry of humanity in the midst of cosmic judgment, as kings, mighty men, and all classes of people seek to escape the terrifying presence of God on His throne and the righteous wrath of the Lamb. Overwhelmed by the unfolding divine judgment, they prefer the crushing weight of mountains and rocks to the inescapable gaze of the Almighty, revealing the ultimate fear of divine accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a climactic moment within the unfolding of the [sixth seal](/revelation/6-12-17 "Revelation 6:12-17 - The Sixth Seal") in the book of Revelation. Preceding it, a series of cataclysmic events—a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon like blood, and stars falling—have plunged the world into chaos. The immediate preceding verse, [Revelation 6:15](/revelation/6-15 "Revelation 6:15 - The Hiding of Humanity"), lists a comprehensive roster of humanity, from kings and great men to bondservants and free, all hiding in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. Verse 16 articulates their collective, terrified plea, revealing the ultimate source of their dread: not the natural disasters themselves, but the divine presence and judgment they signify. It sets the stage for the interlude before the seventh seal, highlighting the utter despair of those who have rejected God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern thought, mountains and rocks often symbolized strength, refuge, or even places of divine encounter. However, they could also be associated with judgment or the futility of human efforts to escape divine power. The imagery of people calling for mountains to fall on them to hide from God's wrath has parallels in Old Testament prophetic literature, such as [Hosea 10:8](/hosea/10-8 "Hosea 10:8 - Seeking Refuge from Judgment"), which speaks of the judgment on Israel. This reflects a deep-seated human understanding that there is no true escape from divine scrutiny. The cultural context would also recognize the absolute authority of a king on his throne, making the "face of him that sitteth on the throne" a terrifying image of ultimate, inescapable power and judgment for those who stand condemned.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, underscoring that God's patience has a limit and that a day of reckoning will come for all who oppose Him. The plea to the mountains highlights the **Inescapability of God's Presence** and judgment; there is no place on earth where one can successfully hide from the [omnipresent God](/psalm/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence"). Perhaps the most striking theme is the **Wrath of the Lamb**, a profound paradox that reveals the dual nature of Christ as both the sacrificial Lamb who takes away sin ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and the sovereign Judge who executes righteous indignation. This demonstrates that even divine love and mercy have a holy boundary, beyond which lies just retribution for unrepentant rebellion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _légō'_):** From G3004, meaning "to lay forth," or "relate in words," often implying a systematic or set discourse. Here, it indicates a collective, desperate utterance, a verbalized plea from a multitude of terrified individuals. It's not a casual remark but a profound, urgent cry born of extreme fear.
* **wrath (Greek, _orgḗ'_):** From G3709, properly meaning "desire" or "excitement of the mind," but by analogy, "violent passion," "ire," or "justifiable abhorrence." It signifies a settled, indignant anger, a righteous and just displeasure, rather than a sudden, uncontrolled outburst. This is God's holy indignation against sin and rebellion, manifesting as punishment.
* **Lamb (Greek, _arníon'_):** From G721, a diminutive term meaning "lambkin." This is the consistent term used for Jesus in Revelation, emphasizing His sacrificial nature (as the Lamb of God) but here juxtaposed with "wrath." The diminutive form highlights His meekness and purity, making His wrath all the more potent and surprising, as it stems from His inherent righteousness and divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And said to the mountains and rocks,"**: This clause establishes the desperate, futile nature of the plea. The people, in their utter terror, address inanimate objects, highlighting their complete abandonment of hope in human or earthly institutions. They are seeking refuge from a spiritual reality in the physical world, a world that itself is crumbling under divine judgment.
* **"Fall on us, and hide us"**: This is the core of their desperate cry. They prefer instant death and burial beneath the earth to facing the divine presence. This hyperbole underscores the unimaginable terror they experience, indicating that the spiritual consequences of facing God's judgment are perceived as far worse than any physical suffering or demise.
* **"from the face of him that sitteth on the throne,"**: This identifies the primary object of their fear: God the Father, in His supreme majesty and unapproachable holiness. "Face" (G4383, _prósōpon_) implies presence, countenance, and direct confrontation. To stand before the holy God without a mediator, in a state of unrighteousness, is depicted as the ultimate horror. His gaze is one of absolute knowledge and righteous judgment.
* **"and from the wrath of the Lamb:"**: This second object of fear is both profound and paradoxical. "The Lamb" (Jesus Christ) is typically associated with sacrifice and salvation. However, here He is revealed as an agent of righteous judgment, His "wrath" (G3709, _orgḗ_) being a settled, holy indignation. This emphasizes that salvation and judgment both proceed from the same divine person, and that the one who offered Himself as a sacrifice is also the one who will execute perfect justice against those who reject His grace.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 6:16 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the overwhelming terror of divine judgment. **Hyperbole** is evident in the plea for mountains and rocks to fall upon them, illustrating an extreme and unimaginable dread so profound that immediate, crushing death is preferred over facing God. This exaggerated language emphasizes the sheer terror of the moment. **Personification** is also at play, as the mountains and rocks are addressed as if they can hear and respond to the desperate cries, highlighting the futility of seeking refuge from inanimate creation when the Creator Himself is the source of fear. Most significantly, there is profound **Juxtaposition** in the phrase "wrath of the Lamb." The Lamb, traditionally a symbol of innocence, sacrifice, and gentleness, is here depicted as possessing "wrath," a term denoting settled, righteous indignation. This stark contrast creates a powerful and unforgettable image, underscoring the dual nature of Christ as both Savior and Judge, and revealing that even divine mercy has a boundary beyond which lies just retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse vividly portrays the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's grace and the terrifying reality of divine judgment. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not only loving and merciful but also perfectly just and holy, and His righteousness demands a response to sin. The fear expressed by humanity here is not merely of physical destruction but of spiritual accountability before the Creator. The "wrath of the Lamb" is a profound theological statement, revealing that the one who bore the sins of the world is also the one who will execute perfect justice, demonstrating that His love does not negate His righteousness. This judgment is inescapable for those who have not sought refuge in the Lamb's atoning sacrifice.

* [Luke 23:30](/luke/23-30 "Luke 23:30 - Jesus' Prophecy of Judgment")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed")
* [Nahum 1:6](/nahum/1-6 "Nahum 1:6 - God's Indignation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 6:16 serves as a stark and sobering reminder of the ultimate reality of divine judgment and the inescapable accountability of every individual before God. The terrifying desperation of those who seek to hide from the "face of him that sitteth on the throne" and "the wrath of the Lamb" underscores the futility of attempting to escape God's presence or His righteous justice. This passage compels us to consider our own standing before a holy God. It highlights the profound blessing of salvation through Christ, which delivers believers from this very wrath, and simultaneously serves as an urgent call to repentance for those who have not yet embraced God's gracious offer. The true refuge is found not in physical hiding places, but in the spiritual shelter provided by the Lamb who has already borne the wrath for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the desperate plea to the mountains and rocks reveal about the nature of the fear experienced by those facing divine judgment?**
* **How does the concept of "the wrath of the Lamb" challenge or deepen your understanding of Jesus Christ's character and role?**
* **If people prefer death by falling mountains to facing God, what does this imply about the severity and horror of divine judgment?**
* **How should the reality of this future judgment impact your daily life and your urgency to share the Gospel?**

### FAQ

**Who are "him that sitteth on the throne" and "the Lamb" in this verse?**

Answer: "Him that sitteth on the throne" refers to God the Father, the sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe, whose majesty and authority are depicted throughout the book of Revelation, particularly in [Revelation 4:2-3](/revelation/4-2-3 "Revelation 4:2-3 - God on His Throne"). "The Lamb" refers to Jesus Christ. This is a consistent title for Jesus in Revelation, emphasizing His sacrificial death as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The juxtaposition of the "wrath" with "the Lamb" is a powerful paradox, revealing Jesus's dual role as both Savior and righteous Judge.

**Why do the people want the mountains to fall on them?**

Answer: The desire for mountains and rocks to fall on them, effectively choosing immediate, crushing death, illustrates an extreme and overwhelming fear. It signifies that the terror of facing the holy God and His righteous indignation is far greater than any physical pain or suffering, including death itself. They perceive that the spiritual consequences of standing condemned before the Almighty are more dreadful than any earthly demise, indicating a profound realization of their guilt and the inescapable nature of divine judgment. This imagery is also found in [Luke 23:30](/luke/23-30 "Luke 23:30 - Jesus' Prophecy of Judgment"), where Jesus prophesies similar despair during a time of great distress.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 6:16, with its terrifying depiction of the "wrath of the Lamb," profoundly points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. While the verse portrays Jesus as the righteous Judge, it is precisely His identity as "the Lamb" that offers the only true escape from this wrath. The Lamb's wrath is not arbitrary but flows from His perfect holiness and justice, a just response to humanity's rebellion against the God who offered salvation through His own sacrifice. For those who have put their faith in Him, Christ has already absorbed the full measure of divine wrath on the cross, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins") and explained in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Christ"). Therefore, believers are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ ([1 Thessalonians 5:9](/1_thessalonians/5-9 "1 Thessalonians 5:9 - God Has Not Appointed Us to Wrath")). The terrifying scene in Revelation 6:16 serves to highlight the immense grace and mercy extended by the Lamb in His first coming, offering refuge to all who would turn to Him, so that they might not face the dreadful day of His righteous judgment. He is both the object of ultimate fear for the unrepentant and the source of ultimate peace for the redeemed.

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

Luke 23:30

Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

Hosea 10:8

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

Revelation 4:2

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne.

Revelation 20:11

¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Psalms 110:5

¶ The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath.

Psalms 110:6

He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill [the places] with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

Psalms 2:9

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.