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Rev_5:4. καὶ ἐγώ ἔκλαιον πολύ . This expressly emphasizes what John on his part ( ἐγώ ) did under the circumstances described in Rev_5:2-3. His violent[1872] weeping is caused simply by the fact that it seems as though the revelation ardently expected, and, according to Rev_4:1, to be hoped for, would not follow. “John did not observe any one advancing at the call of the angel, to render this office for the Church.” So Vitr. correctly, who nevertheless, in violation of the context, precipitately interprets[1873] it chiefly of purely personal interests of John, which in no way are here “represented by the church.”[1874]
Inapplicable is the remark of Hengstenb.: “The weeping of John has his weakness of faith as its foundation. Without it, he would not have wept at the impossibility for all creatures to loose the seals, but would, on the contrary, have triumphed in Christ. Without it, also, the book of the future, according to all which the prophets of the O. T. and the Lord had said, would not have been absolutely closed to him.” John was satisfied, rather, in all humility of faith, even though weeping, that, according to what he had just heard, the book must remain closed to him.[1875] The Lamb had not as yet entered to open the book. But the reference to the predictions of the O. T. prophets, and of the Lord himself, is inapposite; because, if the entire scene is not to be senseless, it treats of such revelations as had not as yet been made. The only objection against the weeping of John that could be raised from the context is, that after Rev_4:1 sqq., he need not at all have been anxious about being compelled to be without the revelation as to the contents of the sealed book; but even this objection can be raised only from the standpoint of a reflection which is here entirely out of place.[1876]
[1872] πολύ , Luk_7:47.
[1873] Cf. N. de Lyra, Beng., Ebrard, etc.
[1874] Hengstenb.
[1875] Cf. Act_1:7; Mat_24:36; Mar_13:32.
[1876] Against Klief., who does not hesitate to ascribe to John a harassing doubt as to whether, because of the unworthiness of creatures, the Divine ultimate purpose, at least with respect to God’s will of love, must remain unaccomplished.