Teks -- Revelation 6:2 (NET)

6:2 So I looked, and here came a white horse! The one who rode it had a bow, and he was given a crown, and as a conqueror he rode out to conquer.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - And I saw and behold

And I saw and behold ( kai eidon kai idou ).

This combination is frequent in the Apocalypse (Rev 4:1; Rev 6:2, Rev 6:5, Rev 6:8; Rev 14:1, Rev 14:14; Rev 19:11).

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - A white horse

A white horse ( hippos leukos ).

In Zec 6:1-8 we have red, black, white, and grizzled bay horses like the four winds of heaven, ministers to do God’ s will. White seems to be the colour of victory (cf. the white horse of the Persian Kings) like the white horse ridden by the Roman conqueror in a triumphant procession.

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - Had

Had ( echōn ).

Agreeing in gender and case with ho kathēmenos .

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - A bow

A bow ( toxon ).

Old word (Zec 9:13. of a great bow), here only in N.T.

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - Was given

Was given ( edothē ).

First aorist passive indicative of didōmi .

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - A crown

A crown ( stephanos ).

See note on Rev 4:4 for this word.

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - He came forth

He came forth ( exēlthen ).

Second aorist active indicative of exerchomai , either to come out or to go out (went forth).

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - Conquering

Conquering ( nikōn ).

Present active participle of nikaō .

Robertson: Rev 6:2 - And to conquer

And to conquer ( kai hina nikēsēi ).

Purpose clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of nikaō . Here hōs nikēsōn (future active participle with hōs ) could have been used. The aorist tense here points to ultimate victory. Commentators have been busy identifying the rider of the white horse according to their various theories. "It is tempting to identify him with the Rider on the white horse in Rev 19:11., whose name is ‘ the Word of God’ "(Swete). Tempting, "but the two riders have nothing in common beyond the white horse.

Vincent: Rev 6:2 - White horse

White horse

For white , see on Luk 19:29. Horse , see Zec 1:7-11; Zec 6:1-8. All the figures of this verse are those of victory. The horse in the Old Testament is the emblem of war. See Job 39:25; Psa 76:6; Pro 21:31; Eze 26:10. So Virgil:

" But I beheld upon the grass four horses, snowy white,

Grazing the meadows far and wide, first omen of my sight.

Father Anchises seeth, and saith: 'New land and bear'st thou war?

For war are horses dight; so these war-threatening herd-beasts are.'"

" Aeneid ," iii ., 537 .

So Turnus, going forth to battle:

" He spake, and to the roofed place now swiftly wending home,

Called for his steeds, and merrily stood there before their foam

E'en those that Orithyia gave Pilumnus, gift most fair,

Whose whiteness overpassed the snow, whose speed the winged air."

" Aeneid ," xii ., 81-83 .

Homer pictures the horses of Rhesus as whiter than snow, and swift as the winds (" Iliad," x., 436, 437); and Herodotus, describing the battle of Plataea says: " The fight went most against the Greeks where Mardonius, mounted on a white horse, and surrounded by the bravest of all the Persians, the thousand picked men, fought in person" (ix., 63). The horses of the Roman generals in their triumphs were white.

Vincent: Rev 6:2 - Bow

Bow ( τόξον )

See Psa 45:4, Psa 45:5; Heb 3:8, Heb 3:9; Isa 41:2; Zec 9:13,Zec 9:14, in which last passage the figure is that of a great bow which is drawn only by a great exertion of strength, and by placing the foot upon it. Compare Homer's picture of Telemachus' attempt to draw Ulysses' bow:

" And then he took his place

Upon the threshold, and essayed the bow;

And thrice he made the attempt and thrice gave o'er."

" Odyssey ," xxi ., 124-25 .

The suitors propose to anoint the bow with fat in order to soften it.

" Bring us from within

An ample roll of fat, that we young men

By warming and anointing may make soft

The bow, and draw the cord and end the strife."

" Odyssey ," xxi ., 178-80 .

Vincent: Rev 6:2 - A crown

A crown ( στέφανος )

See on Rev 4:4.

Wesley: Rev 6:2 - And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow

This colour, and the bow shooting arrows afar off, betoken victory, triumph, prosperity, enlargement of empire, and dominion over many people.

Another horseman, indeed, and of quite another kind, appears on a white horse, Rev 19:11. But he that is spoken of under the first seal must be so understood as to bear a proportion to the horsemen in the second, third, and fourth seal.

Nerva succeeded the emperor Domitian at the very time when the Revelation was written, in the year of our Lord 96. He reigned scarce a year alone; and three months before his death he named Trajan for his colleague and successor, and died in the year 98. Trajan's accession to the empire seems to be the dawning of the seven seals.

Wesley: Rev 6:2 - And a crown was given him

This, considering his descent, Trajan could have no hope of attaining. But God gave it him by the hand of Nerva; and then the east soon felt his power.

Wesley: Rev 6:2 - And he went forth conquering and to conquer

That is, from one victory to another. In the year 108 the already victorious Trajan went forth toward the east, to conquer not only Armenia, Assyria, and Mesopotamia, but also the countries beyond the Tigris, carrying the bounds of the Roman empire to a far greater extent than ever. We find no emperor like him for making conquests. He aimed at nothing else; he lived only to conquer. Meantime, in him was eminently fulfilled what had been prophesied of the fourth empire, Dan 2:40, Dan 7:23, that he should "devour, tread down, and break in pieces the whole earth."

JFB: Rev 6:2

Evidently Christ, whether in person, or by His angel, preparatory to His coming again, as appears from Rev 19:11-12.

JFB: Rev 6:2 - bow

(Psa 45:4-5).

JFB: Rev 6:2 - crown

Greek, "stephanos," the garland or wreath of a conqueror, which is also implied by His white horse, white being the emblem of victory. In Rev 19:11-12 the last step in His victorious progress is represented; accordingly there He wears many diadems (Greek, "diademata"; not merely Greek, "stephanoi," "crowns" or "wreaths"), and is personally attended by the hosts of heaven. Compare Zec 1:7-17; Zec 6:1-8; especially Rev 6:10 below, with Zec 1:12; also compare the colors of the four horses.

JFB: Rev 6:2 - and to conquer

That is, so as to gain a lasting victory. All four seals usher in judgments on the earth, as the power which opposes the reign of Himself and His Church. This, rather than the work of conversion and conviction, is primarily meant, though doubtless, secondarily, the elect will be gathered out through His word and His judgments.

Clarke: Rev 6:2 - A white horse

A white horse - Supposed to represent the Gospel system, and pointing out its excellence, swiftness, and purity

Clarke: Rev 6:2 - He that sat on him

He that sat on him - Supposed to represent Jesus Christ

Clarke: Rev 6:2 - A bow

A bow - The preaching of the Gospel, darting conviction into the hearts of sinners

Clarke: Rev 6:2 - A crown

A crown - The emblem of the kingdom which Christ is to establish on earth

Clarke: Rev 6:2 - Conquering, and to conquer

Conquering, and to conquer - Overcoming and confounding the Jews first, and then the Gentiles; spreading more and more the doctrine and influence of the cross over the face of the earth.

Defender: Rev 6:2 - he that sat on him

Many futurist commentators interpret the rider on the white horse to be the Antichrist, who they say is seeking to imitate Christ as he appears as the conquering Rider on the white horse in Rev 19:11. This interpretation seems inappropriate. The coming Antichrist is not a "false Christ," pretending to be Christ, but the ultimate Antichrist, openly opposing Christ and seeking to destroy all Christian believers and everything for which Christ stands. The Antichrist, or Beast, will receive his power and authority from Satan (Rev 11:7; Rev 13:7).

The proper interpretation is to view Christ as the rider; remember that each judgment of the seven seals is sent forth by Christ, not Satan. Furthermore, it is eminently fitting that the conquering Christ should be seen as riding forth both at the beginning of His cleansing judgments on the earth, and then again at their climactic completion (Rev 6:2; Rev 19:11). Throughout the events of Revelation 6 through 19, as the successive seal judgments are sent forth, He is gradually "conquering" and is destined finally "to conquer" completely."

TSK: Rev 6:2 - a white // and he that // and a // and he went

a white : This seems to be a representation of the person and dignity of Christ, and the mild and beneficent triumphs of his Gospel over all the powers of paganism. Rev 19:11, Rev 19:14; Zec 1:8, Zec 6:3-8

and he that : Psa 45:3-5, Psa 76:7

and a : Rev 14:14, Rev 19:12; Zec 6:11-13; Mat 28:18

and he went : Rev 11:15, Rev 11:18, Rev 15:2, Rev 17:14; Psa 98:1, Psa 110:2; Isa 25:8; Rom 15:18, Rom 15:19; 1Co 15:25, 1Co 15:55-57; 2Co 10:3-5

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Rev 6:2 - conquering, and to conquer

Some, by this white horse understand the gospel; others, the Roman empire. And by him that sat thereon with a bow, some understand Christ going forth with power to convert the nations; others (and in my opinion more probably) the Roman emperors, armed with power, and having the imperial crown, carrying all before them. So as that which God intended by this to reveal to St. John, was, that the Roman emperors should yet continue, and use their power against his church. Those that understand by the white horse, the gospel, or God’ s dispensations to his church under the first period, and by the rider, Christ, (amongst whom is our famous Mede), think, that hereby all the time is signified from Christ’ s ascension, which was in the thirty-fourth year after his incarnation, till the time that all the apostles were dead, that is, the first hundred years after Christ (for so long histories tell us John lived). It was the age then current, and so may take up part of the vision of things that were to come. The history of all but forty of those years we have in the Acts, till Paul was carried prisoner to Rome. In this period ruled Augustus Caesar, (in whose time Christ was born, Luk 2:1 ), Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero, Galba, Otho, F. Vespasianus, Titus, and Domitian, Nerva, and Trajan, ten or eleven in all. They went on

conquering, and to conquer the world. But till Nero’ s time, about the year 66, they did not begin to persecute the Christians; nor did Vespasian and Titus much rage, nor Domitian, till he had reigned eight years: so as I leave it indifferent to the reader, whether to understand by the white horse and his rider, God’ s dispensations of providence to his church these first years, causing his gospel to prevail much, and conquering many to the profession of it, or the Roman empire, with those that ruled it: what is said is true of both.

PBC: Rev 6:2

Some have interpreted this person as Vespasian whom the Roman emperor, Nero, sent to put down the revolt in Judea and Jerusalem. While there is some symbolic resemblance that could be connected with the coming of Vespasian, we must see the overall meaning of the symbols represented here. (1) This figure was mounted on a white horse. White is the symbol for purity and righteousness. Vespasian, although a conqueror of much territory, could never be pictured as pure or righteous. He caused the death of many of God’s people in the land. (2) This One was given a crown. Vespasian was also given a crown, but, it was after he had returned to Rome[1] upon the death of Nero. He was crowned Emperor of Rome. This was not a direct reward for his excelling in battle. It was what any man would receive upon being elevated to the throne of Emperor of Rome. (3) This One is pictured as having a bow in his hand. This is a symbol of going forth to war. This also did Vespasian do! But there is another who is greater in battle than any general who ever fought. This One is Jesus Christ who waged war against the wiles of Satan. All the symbols represented here truly fit only Him. (a) He is the essence of Purity. (b) He was crowned with a crown before coming to redeem His people. He laid aside that crown and took it on Himself again upon finishing the work which He was sent to do. (3) He conquered death, hell, and the grave and is set down at the right hand of the Father to make intercession for the saints. In this respect, He is still conquering. So I conclude that this One who is seen in the opening of the first seal is none other than Jesus Christ, our Conqueror.

We may find a last proof of this conclusion in Re 19:11, " And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." Please continue reading through Re 19:16 and you will find these words, " And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."

Scriptures concerning God’s use of the Bow:

David gives us some insight to the bow seen in the hand of Him on the white horse, " The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." {Ps 110:2}

Ps 7:11-13, " God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." Additional clarification of the bow’s meaning may be found in the following Scripture references.

Isa 41:2, " Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow."

La 2:4, " He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire."

Zec 9:12-13, " Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man."

Zec 10:3-5, " Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle. Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together. And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded."— Eld. Charles Taylor

[1] Upon Vespasian’s return to Rome, Titus, his son, was left to fight in Judaea. Especially against Jerusalem. Neither of these could ever be understood to be this conqueror who sat upon the white horse with the Bow of battle.

Haydock: Rev 6:2 - A white horse // White horse

A white horse, such as conquerors used to ride upon at a solemn triumph. This is commonly understood of our Saviour, Christ, who, by himself and his apostles, preachers, martyrs, and other saints, triumphed over all the adversaries of his Church. He had a bow in his hand, the doctrine of his gospel, piercing like an arrow the hearts of the hearers; and the crown given him, was a token of the victory of him who went forth conquering, that he might conquer. (Witham) ---

He that sitteth on the white horse is Christ, going forth to subdue the world by his gospel. The other horses that follow represent the judgments and punishment, that were to fall on the enemies of Christ and his Church: the red horse signifies war; the black horse famine; and the pale horse (which has death for its rider) plagues or pestilence. (Challoner) ---

White horse; viz. Jesus Christ, who came to subdue all nations to the faith. The bow signifies the gospel, and the word of God, those powerful arms, of which St. Paul so often speaks, as being so necessary for all who are engaged in bringing souls to the faith of Christ. The crown marks the sovereign power of Jesus Christ, and the assurance of conquest. (Cornelius; Bossuet; Du Pin)

Gill: Rev 6:2 - And I saw, and behold a white horse // and he that sat on him had a bow // and a crown was given unto him // and he went forth, conquering and to conquer

And I saw, and behold a white horse,.... Representing the ministration of the Gospel in the times of the apostles, which were just now finishing, John being the last of them, who saw this vision; and the "horse" being a swift, majestic, and warlike creature, and fearless of opposition and war, may design the swift progress of the Gospel in the world, the majesty, power, and authority with which it came, and opposition it met with, and which was bore down before it; and its "white" colour may denote the purity of Gospel truths, the peace it proclaims, the joy brings, and the triumph that attends it, on account of victories obtained by it, and which is afterwards suggested: white horses were used in triumphs, in token of victory ⁿ; a white horse, in a dream, is a good sign with the Jews ^o; and Astrampsychus says ^p, a vision of white horses is an apparition of angels; and so one of those angels which the Jews suppose to have the care of men, and the preservation of them, is said ^q to ride by him, and at his right hand, upon a white horse; but the rider here is not an angel, but the head of all principality and power:

and he that sat on him had a bow; with arrows; the bow is the word of the Gospel, and the arrows the doctrines of it; see Hab 3:9; so called for their swift motion, sudden and secret striking, piercing, and penetrating nature, reaching to the very hearts of men; laying open the secret thoughts and iniquity thereof; wounding, and causing them to fall, and submit themselves to the sceptre of Christ's kingdom:

and a crown was given unto him; by God the Father; expressive of Christ's regal power and authority, of his honour and dignity, and of his victories and conquests:

and he went forth, conquering and to conquer; in the ministration of the Gospel, which went forth, as did all the first ministers of it, from Jerusalem, to the several parts of the world; from the east, on which side of the throne was the first living creature, who called upon John to come and see this sight, as the standard of the tribe of Judah, which had a lion upon it, was on the east side of the camp of Israel; and out of Zion went forth the word of the Lord, which was very victorious, both among Jews and Gentiles, to the conversion of thousands of them, and to the planting of a multitude of churches among them, and to the setting up and advancing the kingdom of Christ; but inasmuch as yet all things are not made subject to him, he is represented as going forth in the Gospel, still conquering, and to conquer, what remain to be conquered: that Christ is designed by him that sat on the white horse, and is thus described, is evident from Rev 19:11; with which compare Psa 45:3, though as this emblem may respect the Roman empire, the white horse may be an emblem of the strong, warlike, and conquering state of it; and the rider which a bow and crown may design Vespasian, whom Christ made use of as an instrument to conquer his enemies the Jews, and who, in consequence thereof, had the imperial crown put upon him; and it may be further observed, that though his conquest of them was a very great one, yet they afterwards rose up in the empire, in great numbers, rebelled, and did much mischief, when they were entirely conquered by Trajan and Hadrian, who seem to be intended in the next seal.