What number verse is Revelation 6:5 in the Bible?

Revelation 6:5 is the 30,799th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Revelation 6:5 sits at position 30,799.

6:46:4 6:66:6

Revelation 6:5

“The Four Horsemen Begin”· Revelation 6:1–8Read in context

King James Version

And 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.

Ask

KJV (with Strong's)

And ^G2532 when ^G3753 he had opened ^G455 the third ^G5154 seal ^G4973, I heard ^G191 the third ^G5154 beast ^G2226 say ^G3004, Come ^G2064 and ^G2532 see ^G991. And ^G2532 I beheld ^G1492, and ^G2532 lo ^G2400 a black ^G3189 horse ^G2462; and ^G2532 he that sat ^G2521 on ^G1909 him ^G846 had ^G2192 a pair of balances ^G2218 in ^G1722 his ^G846 hand ^G5495.

Ask

Complete Jewish Bible

When he broke the third seal, I heard the third living being say, “Go!” I looked, and there in front of me was a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales.

Ask

Berean Standard Bible

And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales.

Ask

American Standard Version

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, Come. And I saw, and behold, a black horse; and he that sat thereon had a balance in his hand.

Ask

World English Bible Messianic

When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, “Come and see!” And behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a balance in his hand.

Ask

Geneva Bible (1599)

And when hee had opened the thirde seale, I heard the thirde beast say, Come and see: Then I behelde, and loe, a blacke horse, and he that sate on him, had balances in his hand.

Ask

Young's Literal Translation

And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying, `Come and behold!' and I saw, and lo, a black horse, and he who is sitting upon it is having a balance in his hand,

Ask

മലയാളം · SV

മൂന്നാം മുദ്രപൊട്ടിച്ചപ്പോൾ: വരിക എന്നു മൂന്നാം ജീവി പറയുന്നതു ഞാൻ കേട്ടു. അപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ ഒരു കറുത്ത കുതിരയെ കണ്ടു; അതിന്മേൽ ഇരിക്കുന്നവൻ ഒരു തുലാസു കയ്യിൽ പിടിച്ചിരുന്നു.

Ask

Translation

Cross-References

സെഖര്യാവ് 6:2
ഒന്നാമത്തെ രഥത്തിന്നു ചുവന്ന കുതിരകളെയും രണ്ടാമത്തെ രഥത്തിന്നു കറുത്ത കുതിരകളെയും
സെഖര്യാവ് 6:6
കറുത്ത കുതിരകൾ ഉള്ളതു വടക്കെ ദേശത്തിലേക്കു പുറപ്പെട്ടു; വെളുത്തവ അവയുടെ പിന്നാലെ പുറപ്പെട്ടു; പുള്ളിയുള്ളവ തെക്കേ ദേശത്തേക്കു പുറപ്പെട്ടു.
യെഹെസ്കേല്‍ 4:16
മനുഷ്യപുത്രാ, അപ്പവും വെള്ളവും അവൎക്കു മുട്ടിപ്പോകേണ്ടതിന്നും ഓരോരുത്തനും സ്തംഭിച്ചു അകൃത്യം നിമിത്തം ക്ഷയിച്ചുപോകേണ്ടതിന്നും
വെളിപാട് 5:9
പുസ്തകം വാങ്ങുവാനും അതിന്റെ മുദ്ര പൊട്ടിപ്പാനും നീ യോഗ്യൻ; നീ അറുക്കപ്പെട്ടു നിന്റെ രക്തംകൊണ്ടു സൎവ്വഗോത്രത്തിലും ഭാഷയിലും വംശത്തിലും ജാതിയിലും നിന്നുള്ളവരെ ദൈവത്തിന്നായി വിലെക്കു വാങ്ങി;
വെളിപാട് 5:5
അപ്പോൾ മൂപ്പന്മാരിൽ ഒരുത്തൻ എന്നോടു: കരയേണ്ട; യെഹൂദാഗോത്രത്തിലെ സിംഹവും ദാവീദിന്റെ വേരുമായവൻ പുസ്തകവും അതിന്റെ ഏഴുമുദ്രയും തുറപ്പാൻ തക്കവണ്ണം ജയം പ്രാപിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു എന്നു പറഞ്ഞു.
വെളിപാട് 6:1
കുഞ്ഞാടു മുദ്രകളിൽ ഒന്നു പൊട്ടിച്ചപ്പോൾ: നീ വരിക എന്നു നാലു ജീവികളിൽ ഒന്നു ഇടി മുഴക്കംപോലെ പറയുന്നതു ഞാൻ കേട്ടു.
വെളിപാട് 4:6
സിംഹാസനത്തിന്റെ മുമ്പിൽ പളുങ്കിന്നൊത്ത കണ്ണാടിക്കടൽ; സിംഹാസനത്തിന്റെ നടുവിലും സിംഹാസനത്തിന്റെ ചുറ്റിലും നാലു ജീവികൾ; അവെക്കു മുമ്പുറവും പിമ്പുറവും കണ്ണു നിറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നു.

Study this verse

Summary

The opening of the third seal introduces the third horseman of the Apocalypse, riding a black horse and holding a pair of balances. This vision powerfully symbolizes a period of severe famine, economic scarcity, and potential injustice in the distribution of essential resources, marking a significant escalation in the divine judgments unfolding upon the earth.

Context

Literary Context

Revelation 6:5 is situated within the sequence of the seven seals, which are opened by the Lamb, revealing escalating judgments upon the earth. It follows the white horse of conquest (Revelation 6:1-2) and the red horse of war and civil strife (Revelation 6:3-4). Each seal unveils a distinct form of tribulation, progressively impacting humanity and the created order. The "third beast" (or living creature) calling out "Come and see" maintains the pattern established in the previous seals, indicating that these events are divinely sanctioned and revealed. This progression underscores the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and the unfolding of His sovereign plan as depicted in the Book of Revelation.

Historical & Cultural Context

In the Roman Empire, famines were a recurring threat, often caused by drought, pestilence, or war disrupting agricultural production and supply lines. Grain, particularly wheat and barley, was the staple food, and its price and availability were critical indicators of economic stability. The "pair of balances" (scales) were used in ancient markets for weighing goods, especially precious commodities or, in times of scarcity, basic foodstuffs. The imagery of weighing out food precisely at high prices would have immediately conveyed a sense of dire economic hardship and rationing to John's original audience. This was a common experience in the ancient world, where a bad harvest could lead to widespread starvation and social unrest, as seen in historical accounts and even in Old Testament judgments like those described in Ezekiel 4:16.

Key Themes

The third seal contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Revelation. The most prominent is Divine Judgment, as the famine is not merely a natural disaster but a consequence of God's righteous wrath poured out on a rebellious world. It highlights the Fragility of Human Systems, demonstrating how easily economic stability and the provision of basic necessities can collapse. The Black Horse itself is a powerful symbol of mourning, scarcity, and death, reinforcing the dire nature of this judgment. Furthermore, the imagery of the balances points to Economic Injustice or at least severe economic distress, where food becomes a luxury, indicating a time when the poor would suffer immensely, echoing Old Testament warnings about oppression and the consequences of turning away from God, as found in passages such as Amos 8:4-6.

Exposition and Analysis

Key Word Analysis

black (μέλας, mélas, G3189): This primary word directly translates to "black." In biblical symbolism, black often signifies mourning, sorrow, judgment, and scarcity. When associated with a horse in an apocalyptic context, it strongly conveys the idea of famine and death, contrasting with the white of conquest and the red of bloodshed.
horse (ἵππος, híppos, G2462): Of uncertain affinity, this word simply means "horse." In the context of Revelation 6, the horse is a vehicle for the rider, and its color is highly symbolic, indicating the nature of the judgment being unleashed. The horse serves as a powerful, recognizable image for swift and impactful movement or change.
pair of balances (ζυγός, zygós, G2218): From the root meaning "to join, especially by a yoke," this word can refer to a "yoke" (a coupling, often signifying servitude or obligation) or, as in this context, "the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales)." Here, its use clearly denotes weighing scales, specifically for measuring out commodities. This imagery is crucial, indicating precise rationing, scarcity, and exorbitant prices for basic necessities, directly implying famine and economic distress.

Verse Breakdown

"And when he had opened the third seal"

This phrase continues the narrative pattern established in Revelation 6:1 and Revelation 6:3, identifying the Lamb (Jesus Christ) as the one with the authority to initiate these judgments by breaking the seals on the scroll. The "third" seal indicates a progression and intensification of the divine judgments.

"I heard the third beast say, Come and see."

John's auditory experience parallels the previous seals, where one of the four living creatures (beasts) invites him to witness the unfolding event. The "third beast" (likely the one with the face of a man, from Revelation 4:7) serves as a herald, emphasizing the divine origin and significance of the vision.

"And I beheld, and lo a black horse;"

John's vision shifts to the visual manifestation of the judgment. The "black horse" is the central symbol, immediately conveying a sense of gloom, death, and scarcity. The color black is universally associated with famine, mourning, and distress, setting the tone for the rider's activity.

"and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand."

The rider's identity is defined by the object he holds. The "pair of balances" (scales) is the key to interpreting the black horse. These are not scales for justice, but for weighing out food, indicating severe rationing and exorbitant prices. This rider is thus understood to represent famine, economic hardship, and the scarcity of essential provisions, where food becomes a commodity meticulously measured and sold at a premium.

Literary Devices

The passage is rich in Symbolism, a hallmark of apocalyptic literature. The black horse itself symbolizes famine, scarcity, and death, drawing on ancient associations of black with mourning and distress. The rider is not explicitly named but is identified by his actions and the object he carries, representing the force of famine. The pair of balances is a potent symbol of economic distress, indicating meticulous rationing and inflated prices for basic necessities, rather than equitable justice. The repeated phrase "Come and see" uttered by the living creature acts as a form of Apostrophe or direct address, drawing the reader (and John) into the unfolding drama and emphasizing the divine authority behind these events. The entire scene is a vivid piece of Apocalyptic Imagery, designed to convey profound theological truths through dramatic and often terrifying visions.

Theological and Thematic Connections

The third seal's depiction of famine and economic distress serves as a stark reminder of humanity's utter dependence on God for sustenance and the devastating consequences when His provision is withdrawn or misused. Theologically, it underscores God's sovereignty over all aspects of creation, including the economy and the food supply, demonstrating that even in times of severe hardship, these events are not random but part of His overarching plan and judgment. This judgment highlights the fragility of human security and the ultimate futility of trusting in material wealth or worldly systems when confronted with divine reckoning. The scene also implicitly raises questions of economic justice, as famine often disproportionately affects the poor, calling believers to consider their role in alleviating suffering and advocating for equitable distribution of resources.

Ezekiel 4:16 Lamentations 5:10 Amos 8:4-6

Reflection and Application

Revelation 6:5 calls believers to a profound re-evaluation of their priorities and a deeper trust in God's ultimate provision. In a world often preoccupied with material security and economic stability, this passage serves as a sobering reminder of the transient nature of earthly comforts and the potential for widespread disruption. It challenges us to cultivate resilience, not by hoarding resources, but by deepening our reliance on God's unchanging character and promises. Furthermore, the imagery of famine should ignite a compassionate response within us towards those in our world who currently suffer from hunger and economic injustice. It prompts us to consider how we can be instruments of God's love and provision, sharing what we have, advocating for the vulnerable, and living out the principles of justice and mercy in practical ways, even as we look forward to the ultimate restoration found in Christ.

Questions for Reflection

How does the imagery of the black horse and balances challenge my reliance on material security and economic stability?
In what ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, even in uncertain times?
How should the reality of global hunger and economic injustice, symbolized by this seal, shape my prayers and actions as a follower of Christ?
What does this passage teach me about God's sovereignty over all aspects of human life, including our economies?

FAQ

What does the black horse and its rider symbolize in Revelation 6:5?

The black horse and its rider symbolize famine, severe economic hardship, and scarcity. The color black is traditionally associated with mourning and scarcity. The rider holding a "pair of balances" (scales) indicates that food will be weighed out precisely and sold at exorbitant prices, signifying a time when basic necessities like wheat and barley will be extremely expensive and difficult to obtain, leading to widespread hunger and distress. This imagery points to a period of dire economic judgment and food rationing.

How does the third seal relate to the previous seals?

The third seal, representing famine and economic crisis, follows the first seal (the white horse of conquest, found in Revelation 6:1-2) and the second seal (the red horse of war and bloodshed, described in Revelation 6:3-4). This sequence illustrates an escalating series of divine judgments. Conquest often leads to war, and war frequently disrupts agricultural production and trade, thereby causing famine. Thus, the seals portray a logical and intensifying progression of calamities that will afflict the earth as God's judgments unfold.

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

While the third seal vividly portrays the grim realities of famine and economic distress as a consequence of divine judgment, its ultimate fulfillment and hope are found in Christ. It is the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who possesses the authority to open these seals, demonstrating His sovereign control over all history and judgment, even over periods of severe suffering. He is not merely the initiator of judgment but also the ultimate provider and sustainer. In contrast to the scarcity depicted by the black horse, Jesus declares Himself to be the "bread of life" in John 6:35, promising that those who come to Him will never hunger. He taught that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" in Matthew 4:4, shifting our focus from perishable physical sustenance to eternal spiritual nourishment. Ultimately, the tribulation symbolized by the black horse points forward to a time when, through Christ, God's people will experience complete and eternal provision, as promised in Revelation 7:16-17, where it is declared that they "shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more... for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them." Thus, even amidst the terrifying judgments, Christ remains the source of ultimate hope and the guarantee of future abundance for His faithful.

Copy as

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.

1662–1714 · 6 verses

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.

Copy as

Historical interpretation

Seven Centuries of Reception

6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.

6 quotes · AD 304–990

Ante-NicenePost-NiceneEarly Medieval

3004005006007008009001000

Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.

AD 304Victorinus of PettauAnte-NiceneSourceCommentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John

"And when He had opened the third seal. I heard the third living creature saying, Come and see. And, lo, a black horse; and he who sate upon it had a balance in his hand." The black horse signifies famine, for the Lord says, "There shall be famines in divers places; "but the word is specially extended to the times of Antichrist, when there shall be a great famine, and when all shall be injured. Moreover, the balance in the hand is the examining scales, wherein He might show forth the merits of every individual.

AD 542Caesarius of ArlesPost-NiceneSourceEXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:5, HOMILY 5

In the black horse we recognize an evil people which works in concert with the devil. “He had a balance in his hand,” which indicates that while evil persons feign to have the scales of justice, they deceive many.

AD 614Andreas of CaesareaEarly MedievalSourceCOMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 6:5-6

I believe that the third living creature here is the man and that [this passage] shows the fall of men and for this reason his punishment because of his inclination toward sin by the power of free will.… We think that the “black horse” depicts the sorrow that comes upon those who have fallen away from faith in Christ on account of the abundance of torments. The “balance” is he who tests those who either by inconstancy of mind or by vainglory have fallen from the faith through weakness of the body.

AD 735BedeEarly MedievalSourceCommentary on Revelation

And behold, a black horse, etc. The black horse represents a crowd of false brothers, who have the balance of right profession, but harm their companions through works of darkness. For when it is said, in the midst of the creatures, Do not harm, it is shown that there is someone there who harms. About this advancing horse, the Apostle says: Fightings without, fears within.

AD 804Alcuin of YorkEarly MedievalSourceCOMMENTARY ON REVELATION

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature saying: Come, and see. And behold a black horse, and he that sat on him had a pair of scales in his hand. By the blackness of this horse is represented that hunger of the wicked by which they long to devour eagerly the body of Christ and to send it into the stomach of their evilness. Their rider has a pair of scales in his hand because he seeks to buy the lives of the good with temporal payments in order to be able to satiate his hunger and that of his people. He held this pair of scales in his hand when he offered one fruit to eat, and bought the whole world to cause its ruin. One should know indeed that the Devil first takes away the food that consists of hearing the Word of God, so that he may the more easily absorb people to increase his body when they suffer from starvation because they are deprived of spiritual food; whence the Lord says through the prophet, Behold I will send forth a famine into the land: not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the word of God. [Am. 8:11] Indeed the Lord does this by forsaking people, and the Devil by invading them. Yet how could those who are God's grain, wine, and oil, suffer from this famine? No; let the chaff, husks, and oil dregs suffer from it, and let them, who are worth no price, fall in with the pair of scales; not those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ; whence it is said soon after that:

AD 990OecumeniusEarly MedievalSourceCommentary on Revelation

Thirdly, the mercy of Christ has opened the third seal for us, and has brought us, from having been condemned to rejection, to God and the Father. And this is his saving teaching, and the benefits through the divine signs; for these brought about the overthrow of the Devil; for through them we have come to know who is by nature and truly God, "so that we may not be infants, tossed about by every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14); and we honor those things which our hands have made, exchanging the corruptible demons for the glory of God. For the divine teaching of the Lord drew to itself, like yeast to flour, those who were learning, according to the voice of the Lord, and enjoying the miracles, which healed souls more than bodies.

When these things happened, a black horse came forth, and the one sitting on it had a pair of scales in his hand. The black horse symbolizes sadness and mourning, imposed by the divine teachings following the downfall of the Devil, and therefore, in Devil's mourning, it finds its own release [λῦσιν], corresponding to such extensive periods of time.

The scales are indeed a symbol of equality and justice. For "the one who judges righteousness sat upon the throne; he rebuked the nations of the demons, and the impious one," (Ps. 9:5-6) their leader, perished. Therefore, the scales is a symbol of the righteous judgment of the Lord, the scales that is upon us; it also signifies that we may speak boldly before Him: "You have established my judgment and my justice," (Ps. 9:5) so that the nations may know that we are men, and not subjected to the judgment of beasts, dragged by a "bridle and a strap," (Ps. 31:9) and pastured by destructive tyrants.

And he said, I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine." The word and the teaching, as a seed, is metaphorically expressed in the divine Scripture; for it is written according to Matthew: "The sower went out to sow" (Matt. 13:3); and again, the most favored of the servants said to their lord, "Lord, did you not sow good seed in the field? Where then do the weeds come from?" (Matt. 13:27) As for the seed, it is indeed grain, like the evangelical preaching which serves as proper nourishment for mature men, "who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Heb. 5:14)

What then is barley? According to the Law of Moses, it is the teaching, as the earliest form of grain, fully matured, and serving as nourishment appropriate for livestock, feeding the infant Israel.

Therefore, God speaks from among the four living creatures saying: "A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius." Through this, a famine is foretold, along with a scarcity among the people of that time of both teaching and the Gospel from the Lord, as well as of the law, according to what is written: "I will give them neither hunger for bread nor thirst for water, but hunger for hearing the word of the Lord." (Amos 8:11)

Even if he says that those who despise every teaching and turning should suffer these and those things most of all, do not harm the oil and the wine; leave them alone and do not bring any punishment upon them; God says there is still mercy for them from me. Since there is hope for them, to be spiritually joyful in the divine proclamations of my Only Begotten; for this is "the wine that spiritually gladdens the heart of man." (Ps. 104:15)

Therefore, by continuing in their previous disobedience, he would wrong the mercy granted to them by God, as well as the joy that would be perceived [νοητὴν] through faith. And why do I say "perceived" only? For the teachings of the Lord possessed grace that was both perceptible and visible; and the prophet bears witness, saying, "Grace has been poured out upon your lips," (Ps. 44:32) addressing the Lord. Moreover, Josephus, the Jewish man, compelled by truth, writes concerning Him in his book Antiquities of the Jews the following: "At this time there appeared Jesus, a wise man, if it is proper to call him a man; for he was a doer of extraordinary works, a teacher of people who accept the truth with pleasure; and he attracted many Jews and many from the Greek population.

This was the Christ. And He was shown to us as one of the first men, having been crucified by Pilate; those who first loved Him did not cease. For He appeared to them alive again on the third day, fulfilling what the divine prophets had spoken, these and countless other miracles concerning Him. Even now, the community [φῦλον] of those called Christians has not perished from this time onward."

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 6:5 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.