Revelation 10:9

And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take [it], and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

And {G2532} I went {G565} unto {G4314} the angel {G32}, and said {G3004} unto him {G846}, Give {G1325} me {G3427} the little book {G974}. And {G2532} he said {G3004} unto me {G3427}, Take {G2983} it, and {G2532} eat {G2719} it {G846} up {G2719}; and it {G2532} shall make {G4087} thy {G4675} belly {G2836} bitter {G4087}, but {G235} it shall be {G2071} in {G1722} thy {G4675} mouth {G4750} sweet {G1099} as {G5613} honey {G3192}.

So I went over to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll; and he said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”

And I went to the angel and said, “Give me the small scroll.” “Take it and eat it,” he said. “It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.”

And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he saith unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey.

Commentary

Revelation 10:9 captures a profound moment in John's vision, where he is commanded to physically and spiritually internalize a divine message, experiencing its dual nature.

Context of the Little Book

This verse is part of a dramatic interlude in Revelation, occurring between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. John witnesses a mighty angel descending from heaven, holding a "little book" open in his hand. John's request for the book and the angel's subsequent command to "eat it up" symbolize the prophet's role in receiving and digesting God's revelation. This act echoes similar prophetic experiences, notably when the prophet Ezekiel was instructed to eat a scroll that was sweet as honey, representing God's words of judgment and lamentation to the house of Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Commission and Obedience: John's active participation in requesting and then consuming the book highlights a direct, divine call to understand and then proclaim God's unfolding plan. It underscores the necessity of obedience to the divine command.
  • Internalization of Truth: The act of "eating the book" signifies a complete and personal absorption of the message. It's not merely intellectual comprehension but a deep, visceral integration of God's truth into one's being, making it an intrinsic part of the messenger.
  • The Dual Nature of Prophecy and God's Word: The central paradox of the verse is the contrasting experience: "sweet as honey" in the mouth but "bitter" in the belly.
    • Sweetness: Represents the initial delight, joy, and wonder of receiving a direct word from God. The truth of God's sovereignty, His ultimate triumph, and the beauty of His divine plan can be inherently comforting and appealing.
    • Bitterness: Symbolizes the difficult, challenging, or even painful aspects of the message. This can relate to the revelation of impending judgment, the sorrow over humanity's sin, the suffering that accompanies truth, or the arduous task of proclaiming unpopular truths. It implies the burden, grief, or cost associated with delivering or experiencing these profound realities.

Linguistic and Symbolic Insights

The imagery of eating a scroll or book is a powerful prophetic metaphor found in the Old Testament, signifying the complete assimilation of God's message. The Greek words for "sweet" (glykys) and "bitter" (pikros) emphasize this sensory and emotional contrast. The immediate sweetness in the mouth suggests the initial pleasantness and delight in receiving God's word, much like the joy of discovering profound spiritual truth. The subsequent bitterness in the "belly" (representing the innermost being or emotions) conveys the deeper, often painful, implications of the message—the weight of its content, the sorrow over human rebellion, or the burden of its proclamation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 10:9 offers timeless insights into our engagement with God's Word and His purposes:

  • Embrace God's Word Fully: We are called not merely to read or hear God's word, but to internalize it, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and minds, shaping our character and actions.
  • Prepare for the Full Spectrum of Truth: God's truth is multifaceted. While it brings comfort, hope, and joy, it also convicts, challenges, and reveals uncomfortable realities about sin, judgment, and the cost of discipleship. A mature faith embraces both the sweet promises and the bitter truths.
  • The Cost of Ministry and Discipleship: Those called to proclaim God's message, or simply to live out their faith, may find immense joy in the divine commission but also experience the burden, sorrow, and opposition that can accompany delivering difficult truths or witnessing the world's rejection of God.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while God's revelations are ultimately for our good and His glory, their full impact can be complex and challenging, leading us to a deeper, more resilient faith.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 3:1 (25 votes)

    ¶ Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

  • Ezekiel 3:3 (25 votes)

    And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat [it]; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

  • Jeremiah 15:16 (19 votes)

    Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

  • Ezekiel 2:8 (16 votes)

    But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

  • Job 23:12 (7 votes)

    Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].

  • Ezekiel 3:14 (7 votes)

    So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

  • Colossians 3:6 (2 votes)

    For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: