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The Bible Study New Testament

Revelation 6:5,6

There was a black horse. Symbolic of great economic hardship. The scales are symbolic of famine (Ezekiel 4:10 ff), and the prices given for wheat and barley are famine prices. But it is not famine, since plenty of wheat and barley are available if you can pay the price! Oil and wine symbolize luxury here, but these people can barely buy the cheapest food. Who are they? - The Christians. See note on Revelation 2:20; Revelation 13:17. The second and third Riders belong together. As soon as the Good News of Christ is preached, the world will persecute the church in every way. The two forms mentioned here: slaughter and economic hardship - are symbolic of every form of persecution.

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See also Revelation 6:5,6 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    REVELATION 6:5 e;rcou {B} See the comment on ver. 1....

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Revelation 6:5. _THE THIRD BEAST_] That which had the face of a _man_. _A BLACK HORSE_] The emblem of _famine_. Some think that which took place under _Claudius_. See Matthew 24:7; the same wh...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE THIRD SEAL - Unfolding another portion of the volume. See the notes on Revelation 5:1. I HEARD THE THIRD BEAST SAY, COME AND SEE - See the notes on Revelation 4:7. It is not...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER S 6 The Opening of the Seven Seals _ 1. The first seal (Revelation 6:1)_ 2. The second seal (Revelation 6:3) 3. The third seal (Revelation 6:5) 4. The fourth seal ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    REVELATION 6. THE OPENING OF THE SEALS. When the seals of the book are opened by the Lamb, a number of woes are let loose upon the world. The first four are described under the figure of horses of dif...

  • B. W. Johnson's Bible Commentary

    THE THIRD SEAL. The first and second seals mark distinct epochs, clearly separated from each other. We can determine the exact number of years that belongs to each period. It is not possible to separa...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    When he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say: "Come!" And, behold, there came a black horse, and he who sat upon it had the beam of a balance in his hand. And I heard, as i...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE OPENING OF THE SEALS (Revelation 6:1-8) As one by one the seals of the roll are opened, history unfolds itself before John's eyes. As we study this section, we must remember one general fact whi...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    And I saw when the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a loud voice like the sound of thunder, "Come!" And I saw, and, behold, a white ho...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    BEHELD. saw, Revelation 6:1. LO. behold, Revelation 6:2. BLACK. Signifying famine. See Lamentations 4:4, &c. PAIR, &C.. balance....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Third Seal, Revelation 6:5-6 5. _a pair of balances_ The primary meaning of the word is a _yoke:_but no doubt the A. V. is right, as what follows proves that scarcity rather than oppression is to...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    5, 6. THE THIRD SEAL...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἜΡΧΟΥ with ACP; Text. Rec[236] καὶ βλέπε; אB2 καὶ ἴδε; Latt. _et vide_. [236] Rec. Textus Receptus as printed by Scrivener. ΚΑῚ ΕἾΔΟΝ, ΚΑῚ ἸΔΟΎ. B2 omits καὶ εἶδον; Primas[237] omits καὶ ἰδού. [237...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _SEALS THREE AND FOUR WERE OPENED REVELATION 6:5-8:_ The third seal revealed a rider on a black horse. John "heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and thre...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΉΝΟΙΞΕΝ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΆΝΟΊΓΩ (G455) открывать, ΉΚΟΥΣΑ _aor. ind. act. от_ ΆΚΟΎΩ (G191) слышать, ΛΈΓΟΝΤΟΣ _praes. act. part. от_ ΛΈΓΩ (G3004) говорить, ΈΡΧΟΥ _praes. imper. act. от_ ΈΡΧΟΜΑΙ (G...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE THIRD SEAL, &C.— The third seal or period is characterized by the strict execution of justice and judgment, and by the procuration of corn, oil, and wine; and was proclaimed by...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Strauss-' Comments SECTION 17 Text Revelation 6:5-6 5 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...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _TOMLINSON'S COMMENTS_ CHAPTER VI THE OPENING OF THE SEALS _Text (Revelation 6:1-17)_ INTRODUCTION 1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatu...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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. AND SEE. So B [ ide...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Throne Section-The Seals 13 It has been suggested that the Syriac version preserves the true reading here. After "blessing" it goes right on and gives every creature to the Lambkin, rather than g...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    6:5 see]. (b-17) The words 'and see' here and vers. 3,5,7, are very doubtful and probably added in some MSS....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE SIX SEALS The afflicted Church has been reminded in Revelation 4 f. that God is over all, and that the future is committed to the Lamb. Now (Revelation 6 - Revelation 8:1) she is shown that future...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    FROM NOW TO THE END OF TIME REVELATION _IAN MACKERVOY_ CHAPTER 6 THE 7 *SEALS - REVELATION 6:1-8 THE FIRST 6 *SEALS - REVELATION 6:1-17...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    WHEN HE HAD OPENED. — Better, _When he opened._ The words “and see” are to be omitted here, as in the other seals. _And I saw, and behold a horse, black, and he that sat on him having a balance in his...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER IV. THE SEALED ROLL OPENED. Revelation 6:1. WITH the sixth chapter of the Apocalypse the main action of the book may be said properly to begin. Three sections of the seven into which it is d...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The third seal opened = _famine_....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The spectral figure of Hunger holds a balance or pair of scales (ζ. literally = the beam, see reff.) for measuring bread by weight, to personify (Revelation 6:6) bad times, when provisions became crue...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE RIDERS ON THE FOUR HORSES Revelation 6:1 The seals signify those events which prepare the way for the coming of the Kingdom. The breaking of the first seals is accompanied by the summons of one o...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    We now pass to that section of the Book in which, under the heavenly order by earthly administration, events proceed toward the great consummation. The Lamb, holding the book, breaks the seals. The a...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    The black horse would seem to represent mourning. (Jeremiah 4:28) Food is sold by weight, with enough wheat for one man for one day selling for a day's wages. (Matthew 20:2) He could buy three times a...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (4) 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. (4) The third sign...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    The third seal....a black horse. This is also commonly expounded of wars and persecutions, and particularly of famine, by the scales in the rider's hand, and by two pounds of wheat being sold for a pe...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (5) 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. (6) And I heard a v...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We have already seen the bearing of the seven churches to which the Lord was pleased to send the letters contained in the second and third Chapter s. We have found, I trust, substantial reason and amp...

  • John Brown Commentaries Selected Books of the Bible

    The 7 Seals Part 2 I. INTRODUCTION A. Matthew 24:3-7 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    What is to follow on earth now begins, when the seals are opened. It will be remarked here, that John, standing in the ruin of the assembly, gives prophetically all that passes from that failure till...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND WHEN HE HAD OPENED THE THIRD SEAL,.... Of the sealed book: I HEARD THE THIRD BEAST SAY, COME AND SEE; this living creature was that which was like a man, who was on the south side of the throne,...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    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. Ver. 5. _A black horse...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And when he had opened the third seal I heard the third_ living creature Which was like a man, and had his station in the south; _say_ As the two former had done; _Come and see. And I beheld, and lo...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    BLACK; a symbol of devastation, mourning, and woe. BALANCES; indicating that food would be but scantily supplied....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE OPENING OF SIX SEALS OF THE SCROLL. The opening of the first three seals:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE FIRST SEAL: THE WHITE HORSE (vv. 1-2) In the Lamb's opening of the seals our sight is transferred again to earth, but John does not return there. His vision is from heaven. The first seal (v. 1)...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    _ 5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand._ A. BLACK HORS...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-8 Christ, the Lamb, opens the first seal: observe what appeared. A rider on a white horse. By the going forth of this white horse, a time of peace, or the early progress of the Christian religion,...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    THE THIRD BEAST was he who had _the face of a man, _ who also inviteth John to _come and see_ what came forth upon his opening THE THIRD SEAL. He seeth A BLACK HORSE, and a rider upon him, with A PAIR...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Revelation 6:5 G2532 When G3753 opened G455 (G5656) third G5154 seal G4973 heard G191 (G5656) third...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE BLACK HORSE - FAMINE (REVELATION 6:5). Famine is the second of God's sore judgments (Ezekiel 14:21). In Lamentations those who suffered famine were described as ‘their visage is darker than blackn...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    CHAPTER 6 THE OPENING OF THE FIRST SIX SEALS. The next stage of John's vision describes the opening of the seals by the Lamb, and it will soon be clear that the result is the outworking of world histo...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, “Go!”. And I saw and behold a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow,...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Revelation 6:5-6. The third horse is BLACK, the colour of mourning and of famine (Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 8:21; Jeremiah 14:2;...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    With the beginning of this chapter we enter upon the fourth or leading section of the Apocalypse, extending to chap. Revelation 18:24. The section contains what had been described in chap. Revelation...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    A BLACK HORSE (ιππος μελας). Lust of conquest brings bloodshed, but also famine and hunger. "The colour of mourning and famine. See Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 8:21; Malachi 3:14, where _mournfully_ is,...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    BEAST Living creatures. (_ See Scofield) - (Ezekiel 1:5). _ COME AND SEE Come! Omit "and see." So (Revelation 6:1); (Revelation 6:3); ...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The opening of the seals. CHARACTERS: Christ, John. CONCLUSION: Woe to those who dwell upon the earth in the days of the great Tribulation, when the wrath of God is poured forth for the fin...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Revelation 6:1. _One of the living creatures,_ that is, the lion, with a voice roaring like thunder, said, _Come and see._ The saints must keep their eyes on what the Lord is doing in the earth. Revel...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    REVELATION—NOTE ON REVELATION 6:5 The rider on the BLACK HORSE carries SCALES for measuring grains and their prices. A voice reveals inflated grain prices (8 to 10 times normal). War and disruption of...

  • The Message from Patmos by David Scott Clark

    The Lamb successively opens four seals, and there come out in order four horses and their riders; one horse white, one red, one black, and one pale. Here are the four horses of the Apocalypse, a phras...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CALAMITIES ON THE OPENING OF SIX SEALS _CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES_ THE first catastrophe, or overthrow of the Jewish persecuting power, is the subject of chaps. 6–11. Some take the subject in a...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION REVELATION 6:1 AND I SAW. A new departure in the series of visions is marked (see on Revelation 4:1). We have here the commencement of the Revelation proper, to which the first five chapt...

  • The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages by Donald A. Koenig

    _5 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._ _ 6 AND I HEARD A...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now in chapter six, He begins to open the scroll. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four living creatures saying, Come and see. And...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Ezekiel 4:10; Ezekiel 4:16; Lamentations 5:10; Leviticus 26:26;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Come and see. Omit and see. Black. The color of mourning and famine. See Jeremiah 4:28; Jeremiah 8:21; Malachi 3:14, where mournfully is, literally, in black. Pair of balances [ζ υ γ ο ν]. Rev., a ba...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE OPENING OF THE SEALS Revelation 6:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS This study will discover unto us those events which will particularly mark the beginning of sorrows. There are four horse riders to be bro...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature — Toward the south. Saying, Come. And behold a black horse — A fit emblem of mourning and distress; particularly of black famin...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    The third seal opened, sets forth the great calamity which should befall the church by famine, which some understand literally, others figuratively and mystically. 1. literal famine in Judea, seems he...

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Old Testament