Heinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 1:12 - 1:12

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Heinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 1:12 - 1:12


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Rev_1:12. καὶ ἐπέστρεψα . John turns,[741]—viz., according to the connection, backwards,[742]—in order to see. This is correctly explained according to its meaning, as “the one who uttered the voice;”[743] the βλέπειν has its foundation in the liveliness and directness of the presentation, which immediately penetrates from the perception of the voice to the speaker himself, just as in Rev_4:1 λέγων is written, while the subject speaking is only φωνή .

John now sees, after turning, seven golden candlesticks,—but in no way a candlestick[744] with seven branches,[745]—and, in the midst of them, Christ himself (Rev_1:13). [See Note XXVI., p. 125.]

[741] Act_9:40.

[742] Cf. Mat_24:13; Mar_13:16; Luk_17:31.

[743] N. de Lyra, Beng., etc.

[744] Cf. the interpretation, Rev_1:20.

[745] Grot., etc.

NOTES BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR

XXVI. Rev_1:12. ἑπτὰ λυχνίας χρυσιᾶς

Alford notes the change from the seven-branched candlestick of the temple, as symbolizing the loss of outward unity, so that “each local church has now its own candlestick.” So Trench: “The Christian Church is at once ‘the Church’ and the ‘churches.’ ” Plumptre: “What he needed was to bring out clearly the individuality of each society.” Tait: “These candlesticks were of gold, to denote the preciousness of every thing connected with the Church, and, we may add, the beauty of the Church and her holy services.”