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King James Version
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
KJV (with Strong's)
And G2532 there went out G1831 another G243 horse G2462 that was red G4450: and G2532 power was given G1325 to him G846 that sat G2521 thereon G1909 G846 to take G2983 peace G1515 from G575 the earth G1093, and G2532 that G2443 they should kill G4969 one another G240: and G2532 there was given G1325 unto him G846 a great G3173 sword G3162.
Complete Jewish Bible
Another horse went out, a red one; and its rider was given the power to take peace away from the earth and make people slaughter each other. He was given a great sword.
Berean Standard Bible
Then another horse went forth. It was bright red, and its rider was granted permission to take away peace from the earth and to make men slay one another. And he was given a great sword.
American Standard Version
And anotherhorsecame forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
World English Bible Messianic
Another came out, a red horse. To him who sat on it was given power to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another. There was given to him a great sword.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And there went out an other horse, that was red, and power was giuen to him that sate thereon, to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another, and there was giuen vnto him a great sword.
Young's Literal Translation
and there went forth another horse--red, and to him who is sitting upon it, there was given to him to take the peace from the land, and that one another they may slay, and there was given to him a great sword.
मराठी · MRCV
यावेळी एक अग्निवर्ण घोडा बाहेर पडला. पृथ्वीवरील शांतता नष्ट करण्याचा अधिकार त्याला देण्यात आला होता. लोक एकमेकांचा वध करू लागले. त्या स्वाराला एक मोठी तलवार देण्यात आली.
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 6:3–8. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Passage under commentRevelation 6:3–8
3¶ And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.
5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.
7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points(1.) (2.) Details
The next three seals give us a sad prospect of great and desolating judgments with which God punishes those who either refuse or abuse the everlasting gospel. Though some understand them of the persecutions that befell the church of Christ, and others of the destruction of the Jews, they rather seem more generally to represent God's terrible judgments, by which he avenges the quarrel of his covenant upon those who make light of it.
I.Upon opening the second seal, to which John was called to attend, another horse appears, of a different colour from the former, a red horse, Rev 6:4. This signifies the desolating judgment of war; he that sat upon this red horse had power to take peace from the earth, and that the inhabitants of the earth should kill one another. Who this was that sat upon the red horse, whether Christ himself, as Lord of hosts, or the instruments that he raised up to conduct the war, is not clear; but this is certain,
1.That those who will not submit to the bow of the gospel must expect to be cut in sunder by the sword of divine justice.
2.That Jesus Christ rules and commands, not only in the kingdom of grace, but of providence. And,
3.That the sword of war is a dreadful judgment; it takes away peace from the earth, one of the greatest blessings, and it puts men upon killing one another. Men, who should love one another and help one another, are, in a state of war, set upon killing one another.
II.Upon opening the third seal, which John was directed to observe, another horse appears, different from the former, a black horse, signifying famine, that terrible judgment; and he that sat on the horse had a pair of balances in his hand (Rev 6:5), signifying that men must now eat their bread by weight, as was threatened (Lev 26:26), They shall deliver your bread to you by weight. That which follows in Rev 6:6, of the voice that cried, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine, has made some expositors think this was not a vision of famine, but of plenty; but if we consider the quantity of their measure, and the value of their penny, at the time of this prophecy, the objection will be removed; their measure was but a single quart, and their penny was our sevenpence-halfpenny, and that is a large sum to give for a quart of wheat. However, it seems this famine, as all others, fell most severely upon the poor; whereas the oil and the wine, which were dainties of the rich, were not hurt; but if bread, the staff of life, be broken, dainties will not supply the place of it. Here observe,
1.When a people loathe their spiritual food, God may justly deprive them of their daily bread.
2.One judgment seldom comes alone; the judgment of war naturally draws after it that of famine; and those who will not humble themselves under one judgment must expect another and yet greater, for when God contends he will prevail. The famine of bread is a terrible judgment; but the famine of the word is more so, though careless sinners are not sensible of it.
III.Upon opening the fourth seal, which John is commanded to observe, there appears another horse, of a pale colour. Here observe,
1.The name of the rider - Death, the king of terrors; the pestilence, which is death in its empire, death reigning over a place or nation, death on horseback, marching about, and making fresh conquests every hour.
2.The attendants or followers of this king of terrors - hell, a state of eternal misery to all those who die in their sins; and, in times of such a general destruction, multitudes go down unprepared into the valley of destruction. It is an awful thought, and enough to make the whole world to tremble, that eternal damnation immediately follows upon the death of an impenitent sinner. Observe,
(1.)There is a natural as well as judicial connection between one judgment and another: war is a wasting calamity, and draws scarcity and famine after it; and famine, not allowing men proper sustenance, and forcing them to take that which is unwholesome, often draws the pestilence after it.
(2.)God's quiver is full of arrows; he is never at a loss for ways and means to punish a wicked people.
(3.)In the book of God's counsels he has prepared judgments for scorners as well as mercy for returning sinners.
(4.)In the book of the scriptures God has published threatenings against the wicked as well as promises to the righteous; and it is our duty to observe and believe the threatenings as well as the promises.
IV.After the opening of these seals of approaching judgments, and the distinct account of them, we have this general observation, that God gave power to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth, Rev 6:8. He gave them power, that is, those instruments of his anger, or those judgments themselves; he who holds the winds in his hand has all public calamities at his command, and they can only go when he sends them and no further than he permits. To the three great judgments of war, famine, and pestilence, is here added the beasts of the earth, another of God's sore judgments, mentioned Eze 14:21, and mentioned here the last, because, when a nation is depopulated by the sword, famine, and pestilence, the small remnant that continue in a waste and howling wilderness encourage the wild beasts to make head against them, and they become easy prey. Others, by the beasts of the field, understand brutish, cruel, savage men, who, having divested themselves of all humanity, delight to be the instruments of the destruction of others.
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Historical interpretation
Eight Centuries of Reception
10 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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For, in coming to the High Priest of the Father-Christ-all impediments must first be taken away, in the space of a week, that the house which remains, the flesh and the soul, may be clean; and when the Word of God has entered it, and has found "stains of red and green," forthwith must the deadly and sanguinary passions "be extracted" and "cast away" out of doors-for the Apocalypse withal has set "death" upon a "green horse," but a "warrior" upon a "red" -and in their stead must be under-strewn stones polished and apt for conjunction, and firm,-such as are made (by God) into (sons) of Abraham, -that thus the man may be fit for God.
"And when He had opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red, and to him that sate upon him was given a great sword." The red horse, and he that sate upon him, having a sword, signify the coming wars, as we read in the Gospel: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be great earthquakes in divers places." This is the ruddy horse.
This red horse, gory not with its own blood but with the blood of others, is said to fight against the victorious church when it is sent in to take that peace from the earth that passes all understanding. For [the church] is taught both from deed and from the sword.
The red horse comes out against the victorious and conquering church. That is, there comes an evil and wicked people, made bloody from its rider, the devil. This is just as we read in Zechariah concerning the red horse of the Lord, except that there it is red from his own blood, while here it is red from the blood of others. “And to him a great sword was given, to take peace from the earth.” This refers to the peace of the earth, for the church possesses an eternal peace that Christ left behind for himself. As we noted above, the white horse is the church and its rider is Christ or the Holy Spirit in whose hand is a bow that sends forth his commandments, as though they were powerful, sharp arrows, throughout the whole world both to kill sins and to enliven the hearts of the faithful. The crown upon his head is the promise of eternal life. Here, … the red horse is an evil people whose rider is the devil. It is said to be red because it has been made red with the blood of multitudes. And a sharp sword was given to it to take peace from the earth. This means that with the devil’s connivance and influence evil people join together and do not cease to incite among themselves strife and dissension, even unto death.
We suggest that this second seal is to be interpreted as the succession of the apostles that is fulfilled through martyrs and teachers. During this succession, as the proclamation is extended abroad, the peace of the world is taken away, creation being divided against itself, as was spoken by the Lord: “I have not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword.” And by this [sword] the sacrifices of the martyrs are offered on the heavenly altar. The “red horse” is symbolic either of the shedding of blood or of the red-hot disposition of those who suffer for Christ. The words “it was permitted to its rider to take peace” show the all-wise permission of God that tests his faithful servants through temptations.
And another horse went out, fiery red. Against the victorious and conquering Church went out a fiery red horse, that is, a perverse people, bloodthirsty from their rider, the devil. Although we have read in Zechariah of the red horse of the Lord; but that one is red with His own blood, this one with another’s.
And the one sitting on it was given power to take peace from the earth. Namely, his own peace. But the Church received the eternal peace which Christ left to it.
And a great sword was given to him. Either against those who become apostates of the faith, or against those whom he makes martyrs. About this, it is said to blessed Job: He who made him applied his sword (Job 40), meaning either that he should not tempt the saints as much as the wicked one wishes, or that vengeance for his fury should return upon himself.
And there went out another horse that was red: and to him that sat thereon, it was given that he should take peace from the earth. The red horse is the body of the old enemy, that is all the reprobates, blood-red due to their killing of souls. While the rider of the elect says, My peace I give unto you, [John 14:27] the rider of the reprobates takes peace from the earth, because the former is the author of concord, while the latter is the author of discord. Note also that he takes peace not from heaven, but from the earth, that is from those who seek earthly things. And that they should kill one another. It is not a fleshly but a spiritual killing that should be understood in this sentence. As for how the reprobates are to kill one another, it is disclosed when it is said after that about the prince of the Jews, and a great sword was given to him, that is a spiritual and evil sword with which not the bodies, but the souls of the reprobates are killed. The Devil uses this sword in two ways: he either deceives people by himself on the inside with a spiritual speech or achieves the killing of the soul by assailing them from the outside through the tongues of his fleshly servants. All this is said to have been given him, which means that it was permitted him by the just God who disposes everything.
But secondly, there is the blessing of Christ to us, who opened the second seal of the little scroll, and added to us the release of our shame, restoring to us the divine vision; He was tempted as the Lord and overcame the tempter so that He might show not only victory but also that the adversary was defeated. The adversary did not bite the heel of the rider nor trip up our steps (Ps. 140:4) according to God's commandments, but rather, falling backward and being sent away in servitude, and hearing from the Man whom he wrestled with long ago, even though God was in Him, He said, "Depart, Satan," (Matt. 4:10) and Satan went away in shame. And now, for the first time, the adversary knowing his own weakness, he who boasts of sitting above the clouds on his throne, will be made like the Most High, imagining himself according to what was described by Isaiah. (Isa. 14:13-14)
When it happened, a fiery red horse came out, led by one of the holy creatures; and to the one sitting on the horse it was given the power to take peace from the earth so that people would kill one another, and a great sword was given to him. The fiery red horse is a riddle [αἴνιγμα] of blood; therefore, a sword is given to the one seated upon it, by which to destroy and divide the unity of those on earth toward evil. They were united in their idolatry and so that they might kill one another; that is, to destroy each other through hostile contracts. For the Lord "did not come to bring peace upon the earth, but a sword; and to set a son against his father, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law," (Matt. 10:34-35) the new and godly against the ancient and condemned.
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.
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Summary
The second seal in Revelation 6:4 introduces the red horse, symbolizing widespread warfare and the violent removal of peace from the earth. This rider is granted authority to incite global conflict, leading humanity to turn against itself in mutual destruction, armed with a great sword that signifies extensive slaughter. This vision underscores the divine permission behind even the most devastating human conflicts, revealing a world plunged into chaos when God's restraining hand is perceived to be lifted.
Context
Literary Context
Revelation 6 initiates the dramatic unfolding of the seven seals, a series of judgments or events revealed by the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who alone is found worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:1-7). The opening of each seal progressively unveils aspects of God's sovereign plan for the end times, or perhaps, recurring patterns throughout history that intensify towards the eschaton. The red horse of Revelation 6:4 immediately follows the white horse of Revelation 6:2, which is often interpreted as conquest, either righteous or deceptive. This sequence suggests a rapid deterioration from initial conquest into overt, widespread conflict, marking a distinct escalation in the unfolding judgments upon the earth. The transition from one horse to the next signifies a shift in the nature of the tribulation, moving from political or spiritual conquest to open warfare and bloodshed.
Historical & Cultural Context
John's vision was given to a first-century audience facing persecution under the Roman Empire. While the seals describe future events, they also resonate with the perpetual human experience of conflict. The Roman world, despite its Pax Romana, was built on conquest and maintained by military might, with frequent border wars, internal rebellions, and civil strife. The imagery of horses and riders would have been familiar from ancient warfare and imperial processions, making the symbolism potent. Swords were the primary instruments of close-quarters combat, and a "great sword" would immediately convey large-scale, devastating conflict rather than individual duels. The concept of "peace" (eirḗnē) in the ancient world was often understood as the absence of war, or a state of order imposed by a dominant power, rather than a deep spiritual tranquility. The removal of such peace would imply societal breakdown and anarchy.
Key Themes
The red horse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical prophecy. It vividly portrays the theme of Divine Judgment, as the events are not random but "power was given" to the rider, indicating God's sovereign permission and control over the unfolding chaos (Revelation 6:4). This highlights that even destructive forces operate within God's ultimate plan, serving His purposes. The verse also underscores the theme of Human Depravity and Self-Destruction, as the rider's mission leads humanity to "kill one another," revealing the horrific consequences when societal order and divine restraint are removed (James 4:1-2). Furthermore, it contrasts sharply with the True Peace offered by Christ, emphasizing that lasting peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a spiritual state and a future reality under His reign (John 14:27; Isaiah 9:6-7). The red horse thus serves as a stark reminder of the world's need for the Prince of Peace.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the Greek word πῦρ (pyr), meaning "fire," pyrrhós literally translates to "flame-colored" or "fiery red." This vivid descriptor immediately evokes images of blood, fire, and intense passion. In the context of the red horse, it powerfully symbolizes the bloodshed, violence, and destructive fervor associated with widespread warfare. It suggests not just war, but a consuming, fiery conflict that devastates.
This verb, dídōmi, signifies "to give," "to grant," or "to bestow." Its use in the passive voice ("power was given") is crucial, emphasizing that the rider's authority and mission are not self-initiated but divinely permitted or ordained. It underscores the sovereignty of God over these catastrophic events, indicating that even the forces of destruction operate under His ultimate control and within His overarching plan, rather than being random occurrences.
Derived from a primary verb meaning "to join," eirḗnē refers to a state of peace, quietness, or rest; by implication, prosperity. In this context, the act "to take peace from the earth" signifies the removal of societal harmony, international stability, and the general absence of conflict. It implies a breakdown of order that extends beyond localized skirmishes to a pervasive state of global unrest and hostility, where the natural human inclination towards conflict is unleashed.
Verse Breakdown
"And there went out another horse [that was] red"
This clause introduces the second horseman, distinct from the first. The color red immediately establishes the theme of bloodshed, war, and violence. The verb "went out" (exérchomai) suggests a deliberate emergence, indicating that this force is unleashed upon the world as part of a predetermined sequence of events. The "another horse" signifies a new phase or manifestation of judgment following the first seal.
"and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth"
This is the core mission of the red horseman. The passive voice "power was given" (dídōmi) is significant, highlighting divine permission and sovereignty over the rider's actions. The rider's primary objective is to remove "peace" (eirḗnē), which encompasses not only the absence of war but also societal tranquility and order. "From the earth" indicates a global, pervasive impact, suggesting a breakdown of peace on a worldwide scale, leading to widespread chaos and instability.
"and that they should kill one another"
This clause describes the direct consequence of peace being removed. It points to internal strife, civil wars, ethnic conflicts, and general anarchy where humanity turns violently upon itself. The phrase "one another" (allḗlōn) emphasizes mutual destruction, underscoring the horrific and self-inflicted nature of the conflict that arises when divine restraint and societal order are absent. It highlights humanity's inherent capacity for violence when unchecked.
"and there was given unto him a great sword"
The "great sword" (máchaira mégas) is the instrument by which the rider's mission is accomplished. Unlike a small dagger, a "great sword" symbolizes extensive, large-scale slaughter and widespread warfare. This reinforces the global and devastating nature of the conflict described, indicating that the violence will be pervasive and result in massive loss of life, rather than isolated incidents. Again, the passive "was given" reiterates divine authorization.
Literary Devices
Revelation 6:4 is rich in Symbolism. The red horse is a potent symbol of warfare, bloodshed, and violent conflict, its color immediately evoking images of spilled blood and fiery destruction. The rider on the horse symbolizes the force or agency that unleashes this conflict upon the world. The great sword is a clear symbol of widespread slaughter and the means by which peace is removed and mutual destruction is effected. The act of "taking peace from the earth" is a form of Personification, attributing an active, destructive will to the rider to remove an abstract concept like peace. The entire passage employs vivid Imagery, painting a stark and disturbing picture of global conflict, allowing the reader to visualize the chaos and destruction unleashed by this seal. The structured sequence of the seals also demonstrates Progression, showing an escalating series of judgments or events that build upon one another, moving from conquest to war.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Revelation 6:4 powerfully illustrates the biblical truth that true peace is a fragile commodity in a fallen world, easily shattered when divine order is disrupted or human sinfulness is unleashed. The "taking of peace from the earth" is not merely the absence of conflict but signifies a deeper spiritual breakdown, where humanity's inherent capacity for violence, left unchecked, leads to catastrophic self-destruction. This passage underscores God's absolute sovereignty, even over the forces of chaos and war, as the power to incite conflict is "given" to the rider. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's ways and highlights the world's desperate need for the ultimate Prince of Peace. The vision also contrasts sharply with the peace that Christ offers, which transcends worldly circumstances and is a gift to those who trust in Him.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 6:4 compels us to confront the harsh reality of a world perpetually prone to conflict and the devastating consequences when peace is removed. For believers, this vision should not evoke despair but rather deepen our understanding of God's sovereign control, even over the most chaotic events. It calls us to recognize the fragility of human-made peace and to earnestly pray for and actively pursue the peace that transcends understanding, which is rooted in Christ. In a world where "they should kill one another," we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, agents of peace, and witnesses to the transformative power of the Gospel. This verse serves as a sober reminder that the ultimate solution to global strife is not found in political treaties or military might alone, but in the return of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, who alone can establish lasting righteousness and true shalom. It challenges us to examine our own hearts for any seeds of discord and to actively cultivate peace in our relationships, communities, and beyond, reflecting the character of our peacemaking God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does the "red horse" symbolize in Revelation 6:4?
The "red horse" in Revelation 6:4 primarily symbolizes widespread warfare, bloodshed, and violent conflict. Its color, pyrrhós in Greek, is flame-colored, directly linking it to the destructive power of fire and the spilling of blood. This imagery signifies not just localized skirmishes but a pervasive, global breakdown of peace leading to extensive human-on-human violence. It represents a period or recurring pattern where peace is actively removed from the earth, resulting in mass conflict and mutual destruction.
Is the "taking of peace from the earth" a literal or symbolic event?
While the imagery of the horses and riders is highly symbolic, the "taking of peace from the earth" described in Revelation 6:4 points to a very real and tangible consequence: a pervasive state of global conflict and societal breakdown. Many scholars interpret the seals as representing both historical patterns that have occurred throughout human history (e.g., wars, famines, plagues) and specific, intensified events that will characterize the end times leading up to Christ's return. Therefore, it is both symbolically expressed and indicative of literal, devastating periods of war and unrest that have occurred and will occur on a grand scale, fulfilling the prophecy.
How does Revelation 6:4 relate to Jesus' teachings on peace?
Revelation 6:4 presents a stark contrast to Jesus' teachings on peace. Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) and offers a peace "not as the world gives" (John 14:27). The peace Jesus gives is an inner spiritual tranquility and reconciliation with God, independent of external circumstances. The peace taken from the earth in Revelation 6:4 is worldly peace—the absence of conflict and societal order. The prophecy highlights what happens when humanity rejects or loses access to God's restraining grace, leading to the unleashing of human sinfulness and its destructive consequences, thus underscoring the profound need for Christ's true and lasting peace.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Revelation 6:4 vividly depicts the unleashing of war and the removal of peace, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found not in the chaos it describes, but in the sovereign control of the Lamb who opens the seal, and the ultimate peace He will establish. The "power was given" to the red horseman, signifying that even this devastating judgment operates under the divine permission of Christ, the one found worthy to open the scroll (Revelation 5:5-7). This underscores that no force, however destructive, is outside of God's ultimate plan and Christ's authority. The widespread conflict and mutual destruction foreshadow the desperate need for the true Prince of Peace. Jesus Himself warned of "wars and rumors of wars" as signs of the end (Matthew 24:6-7), indicating that such events are part of the birth pangs leading to His return. The chaos unleashed by the red horse will ultimately give way to the reign of Christ, who will return as the King of Kings, riding a white horse of righteous judgment and victory (Revelation 19:11-16). He will then establish His eternal kingdom where true peace and justice will finally prevail, putting an end to all war and strife (Isaiah 2:4; Revelation 21:4). Thus, the red horse, in its terrifying imagery, ultimately points to the necessity and glorious certainty of Christ's final, triumphant reign of peace.