Revelation 6:9

KJV

¶ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when {G3753} he had opened {G455} the fifth {G3991} seal {G4973}, I saw {G1492} under {G5270} the altar {G2379} the souls {G5590} of them that were slain {G4969} for {G1223} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} for {G1223} the testimony {G3141} which {G3739} they held {G2192}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been put to death for proclaiming the Word of God, that is, for bearing witness.

Berean Standard Bible

And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.

American Standard Version

And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 6:9 marks a pivotal moment in John's apocalyptic vision, shifting focus from cosmic judgments to the profound suffering of God's faithful. As the Lamb breaks the fifth seal, John witnesses a poignant scene: "under the altar," he sees the disembodied souls of those who have been violently killed for their unwavering commitment to God's revealed truth and their steadfast witness to Jesus Christ. This vision powerfully underscores the cost of discipleship, the divine awareness of martyrdom, and the anticipation of ultimate justice for those who lay down their lives for the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 6:9 immediately follows the opening of the first four seals, which unleashed a series of escalating judgments upon the earth: conquest, war, famine, and death, often symbolized by the four horsemen. These initial seals depict widespread global calamities affecting humanity broadly. The fifth seal, however, narrows the focus dramatically, introducing a specific group—martyred believers—and shifting the narrative from general judgment to the specific plight and vindication of the persecuted church. This transition highlights that amidst cosmic upheaval, God is intimately concerned with the suffering of His saints, setting the stage for the subsequent cry for justice in [Revelation 6:10](/revelation/6-10 "Revelation 6:10 - The Martyrs' Cry for Justice") and the eventual vindication of the saints in later chapters, such as the great multitude in [Revelation 7:9-17](/revelation/7-9-17 "Revelation 7:9-17 - The Great Multitude Before the Throne").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation was written during a period of intense persecution for early Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian (c. AD 90s). Christians faced social ostracism, economic hardship, and often death for refusing to participate in emperor worship or other pagan rituals, which were seen as acts of loyalty to the state. The imagery of being "slain" for the "word of God" and "testimony" would have resonated deeply with a community experiencing such pressures. The concept of an "altar" would have been familiar from Old Testament sacrificial practices, where blood was poured out at the base of the altar, symbolizing a life offered to God. This cultural understanding imbues the vision of souls "under the altar" with profound theological significance, presenting the martyrs' lives as a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God.

* **Key Themes:** Revelation 6:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Book of Revelation. Foremost is the theme of **Martyrdom and Persecution**, emphasizing that faithfulness to Christ can come at the ultimate cost, yet such sacrifice is seen and honored by God. This verse also reinforces the **Sovereignty of God** amidst suffering, demonstrating that even in their deaths, these believers are in God's presence, awaiting His just intervention. The phrase "for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" underscores the **Centrality of God's Word and Witness** as the core reason for their persecution and the foundation of their identity. This aligns with the broader emphasis in Revelation on the enduring power of the divine message and the unwavering witness of believers, as seen in [Revelation 1:2](/revelation/1-2 "Revelation 1:2 - John's Testimony of the Word of God") where John himself testifies to the "word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slain (Greek, _spházō'_):** From G4969, a primary verb meaning "to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice) or (generally) to slaughter, or (specially), to maim (violently)." This word powerfully conveys the brutal and violent nature of the martyrs' deaths, often implying a sacrificial connotation. It emphasizes that their lives were taken in a manner akin to a ritual offering, highlighting the sacredness and significance of their sacrifice in God's eyes.
* **altar (Greek, _thysiastḗrion'_):** From G2379, meaning "a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)." The presence of the souls "under the altar" is highly symbolic, evoking the Old Testament practice of pouring the blood of sacrifices at the base of the altar. This imagery suggests that the martyrs' lives, shed as a testament to their faith, are considered a holy and acceptable offering to God, placed in a consecrated space before Him.
* **testimony (Greek, _martyría'_):** From G3141, meaning "evidence given (judicially or genitive case):--record, report, testimony, witness." This term is crucial as it directly links to the Greek word _martys_, from which we derive "martyr." Their death was not random but a direct consequence of their unwavering "testimony" or witness to Jesus Christ and the truth of the Gospel. It signifies that their lives and deaths served as powerful evidence of their faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when he had opened the fifth seal,"**: This clause marks the continuation of the Lamb's unfolding of God's judgment and revelation. The opening of each seal signifies a new stage in the divine plan, revealing another facet of the tribulation and God's response to human sin and suffering. The transition from the previous four seals, which brought general calamities, to this fifth seal, which focuses on martyred saints, signals a shift in emphasis to the human cost of faithfulness.
* **"I saw under the altar"**: John's vision is precise in its location. The "altar" here is likely the heavenly altar, symbolizing God's presence and the place where prayers and sacrifices are offered. To be "under" it suggests a place of refuge, honor, and proximity to God, much like the blood of sacrifices was poured out at the base of the earthly altar. It signifies that these souls are in a sacred, consecrated space, awaiting divine action.
* **"the souls of them that were slain"**: This refers to the disembodied spirits of those who have suffered violent death. The term "slain" (Greek _sphazō_) emphasizes the brutal and sacrificial nature of their deaths. It highlights that their lives were taken specifically because of their faith, distinguishing them from those who died from natural causes or other calamities. Their presence as "souls" underscores their continued existence and consciousness in the afterlife, even after their physical bodies have perished.
* **"for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:"**: This crucial phrase specifies the reason for their martyrdom. They were killed "for" (Greek _dia_, denoting the channel or cause) their allegiance to "the word of God" (God's revealed truth, the Gospel) and "for the testimony which they held" (their steadfast witness to Jesus Christ). This identifies them as true martyrs, whose suffering and death were a direct consequence of their unwavering proclamation and embodiment of divine truth, even unto death.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 6:9 is rich in **Symbolism**. The "altar" symbolizes a sacred space of sacrifice and divine presence, indicating that the martyrs' deaths are viewed by God as a holy offering. The "souls" represent the enduring spiritual essence of the faithful, emphasizing that death does not extinguish their identity or their relationship with God. The "word of God" and "testimony" are symbolic of divine truth and the unwavering witness to Christ, which are the very causes of their persecution. The entire scene is a vivid **Imagery** that evokes both the brutality of persecution and the sanctity of martyrdom. The act of seeing "under the altar" creates a powerful visual, suggesting a hidden reality known only to God and revealed to His prophet. This vision also contains an **Allusion** to Old Testament sacrificial practices, where the blood of sacrifices was poured out at the base of the altar, thereby connecting the martyrs' shed blood to the sacred offerings of the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 6:9 provides profound theological insights into the nature of Christian suffering and divine justice. It assures believers that their suffering for Christ is not overlooked but is intimately known and valued by God. The location "under the altar" signifies their honored status in God's presence, presenting their lives as a holy sacrifice. This verse establishes a foundational theme of martyrdom as a direct consequence of upholding God's truth and bearing witness to Jesus, reinforcing that genuine faith often comes with a cost. It also sets the stage for the martyrs' cry for justice in the subsequent verse, affirming God's ultimate commitment to vindicate His persecuted saints and execute righteous judgment upon their oppressors.

* [Revelation 7:9-14](/revelation/7-9-14 "Revelation 7:9-14 - The Great Multitude from the Great Tribulation")
* [Revelation 12:11](/revelation/12-11 "Revelation 12:11 - Overcoming by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony")
* [Matthew 10:28-39](/matthew/10-28-39 "Matthew 10:28-39 - Fear God, Not Man; Taking Up the Cross")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 6:9 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder for believers across all generations and contexts. It challenges us to consider the depth of our commitment to "the word of God" and "the testimony which we hold." In a world where faith can be marginalized, ridiculed, or even violently opposed, this verse calls us to a steadfast perseverance, knowing that our allegiance to Christ may indeed come with a cost. It offers immense comfort to those who are suffering persecution, assuring them that their sacrifices are not in vain but are seen, remembered, and honored by God Himself. For those living in contexts of relative peace, it fosters empathy and prayer for the persecuted church worldwide, and it instills courage to stand firm in our convictions, recognizing that our ultimate vindication rests with the righteous Judge. This passage encourages us to live lives worthy of the Gospel, prepared to bear witness to Christ regardless of the opposition, trusting in God's ultimate justice and eternal reward.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of souls "under the altar" impact your understanding of martyrdom and suffering for Christ?**
* **In what ways might we, even in less overtly persecutory contexts, be called to "hold" fast to the word of God and our testimony, even when it is costly?**
* **How does the knowledge that God sees and remembers the sacrifices of His saints encourage you in your own walk of faith?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the value God places on faithfulness unto death?**

### FAQ

**What does "under the altar" signify in this verse?**

Answer: "Under the altar" is a highly symbolic phrase. It primarily signifies a place of sacrifice and divine presence. In Old Testament sacrificial rituals, the blood of the sacrificed animal was often poured out at the base of the altar, symbolizing the offering of life to God. By depicting the souls of the martyrs "under the altar," Revelation 6:9 suggests that their lives, violently taken for their faith, are considered a holy and acceptable offering to God. It also implies that they are in a place of honor, safety, and proximity to God, awaiting His divine justice and vindication. It underscores that their deaths are not forgotten but are deeply significant in God's sight.

**Who are "them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held"?**

Answer: This phrase refers to Christian martyrs—believers who have been violently killed because of their unwavering commitment to God's revealed truth (the "word of God") and their steadfast witness to Jesus Christ (their "testimony"). This includes those who have died throughout history for proclaiming the Gospel, refusing to compromise their faith, or living out their Christian convictions in hostile environments. Their deaths are directly attributed to their faithfulness to Christ and His message, making them true martyrs in the biblical sense. This group is distinct from those who die from other causes, emphasizing the specific nature of their sacrifice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 6:9 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Himself. The souls "under the altar" were "slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held," a clear echo of Christ, who is the very [Word of God incarnate](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") and the [faithful and true witness](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - Jesus, the Faithful and True Witness"). Jesus is the archetypal martyr, whose blood was poured out as the ultimate sacrifice on the "altar" of the cross, not just for a testimony, but to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The suffering and death of these martyrs are thus a participation in the suffering of Christ ([Philippians 3:10](/philippians/3-10 "Philippians 3:10 - Sharing in Christ's Sufferings")), and their vindication is guaranteed by His resurrection and ascension. He, as the Lamb who was slain ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Standing as if Slain")), is the one who opens the seals and hears their cry, assuring them that their lives are precious in His sight and that He will bring about perfect justice. Their future resurrection and eternal glory are secured by His victory over death, demonstrating that their faithful witness, even unto death, is an extension of His own triumphant testimony.

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

Revelation 20:4

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

John 16:2

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Revelation 1:9

¶ I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 11:3

¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 11:7

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.