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Revelation 6:15

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And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And {G2532} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093}, and {G2532} the great men {G3175}, and {G2532} the rich men {G4145}, and {G2532} the chief captains {G5506}, and {G2532} the mighty men {G1415}, and {G2532} every {G3956} bondman {G1401}, and {G2532} every {G3956} free man {G1658}, hid {G2928} themselves {G1438} in {G1519} the dens {G4693} and {G2532} in {G1519} the rocks {G4073} of the mountains {G3735};

Then the earth’s kings, the rulers, the generals, the rich and the mighty — indeed, everyone, slave and free — hid himself in caves and among the rocks in the mountains,

Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

And the kings of the earth, and the princes, and the chief captains, and the rich, and the strong, and every bondman and freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains;

Commentary

Context of Revelation 6:15

Revelation 6:15 is a pivotal verse within the opening of the sixth seal of God's judgment. Preceding this verse, John describes cataclysmic events: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming like blood, and stars falling to the earth, followed by the sky receding like a scroll. These are cosmic disturbances signaling the direct intervention of God in human affairs and the commencement of His ultimate wrath. Verse 15 details the universal reaction of humanity to these terrifying signs, revealing their desperate attempt to escape the impending judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Fear and Terror: The verse meticulously lists every stratum of society—from "the kings of the earth" and "great men" to "every bondman, and every free man." This comprehensive enumeration emphasizes that fear and terror will grip all humanity, regardless of their social status, power, or wealth. No one is exempt from the panic that ensues when divine judgment is unleashed.
  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The hiding is a direct response to the "wrath of the Lamb" and "the wrath of him that sitteth on the throne" mentioned in the subsequent verse (Revelation 6:16). It highlights the terrifying reality of God's righteous judgment, which is so overwhelming that even the most powerful individuals on earth seek concealment.
  • Futility of Hiding from God: Despite their desperate attempts to "hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains," the underlying message is the utter futility of trying to escape God's omnipresent power and ultimate judgment. As Psalm 139:7-12 eloquently states, there is nowhere to flee from God's Spirit or His presence.
  • Humiliation of Human Power: Those who once wielded immense power, wealth, and authority are reduced to the same terrified and vulnerable state as the lowliest slave. Worldly prestige offers no refuge or protection against the Creator's wrath.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "hid themselves" is ἔκρυψαν ἑαυτοὺς (ekrypsan heautous), which literally means "they hid themselves." The reflexive pronoun ἑαυτοὺς (heautous) underscores the self-initiated, desperate action of trying to conceal themselves. The extensive list of social classes, from "kings" to "bondman," is a rhetorical device known as a merism, used to signify "everyone" or "all humanity without exception," powerfully conveying the universal impact of these events.

Practical Application

Revelation 6:15 serves as a profound reminder of the reality of God's ultimate judgment and the inescapable accountability of all humanity before Him. It challenges the notion that worldly power, wealth, or status can protect anyone from divine reckoning. For believers, it underscores the urgency of sharing the Gospel and the importance of living in reverence and obedience to God. For those who have not yet acknowledged God, it is a stark warning about the consequences of rejecting His mercy and the futility of resisting His sovereign will. This verse compels us to consider our standing before God now, before the Great White Throne Judgment.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 2:19 (8 votes)

    And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • Isaiah 2:21 (7 votes)

    To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:21 (6 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones [that are] on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.

  • Isaiah 24:22 (6 votes)

    And they shall be gathered together, [as] prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.

  • Isaiah 2:10 (6 votes)

    ¶ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.

  • Psalms 2:10 (4 votes)

    ¶ Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

  • Psalms 2:12 (4 votes)

    Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.