What is the book John eats in Revelation 10?

I. The Setting of Revelation 10

Revelation 10 unfolds in the midst of John’s apocalyptic vision, situated between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. The apostle sees a mighty angel descending from heaven: “Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire” (Revelation 10:1).

This angel holds a little scroll (often referred to as a “book” in some translations) that is open in his hand (Revelation 10:2). John is told to take and eat this scroll, which is sweet like honey in his mouth but bitter in his stomach.

The dramatic sequence of events in this passage emphasizes God’s sovereignty over time and judgment. The angel proclaims that there will be no more delay regarding the mysteries of God (Revelation 10:6–7), which highlights the urgency and authority behind this revelation.

II. Identification of the “Little Book”

1. Term for the Scroll (Greek “βιβλαρίδιον”, biblāridion):

In Revelation 10:2, 8, 9, and 10, the Greek text uses a diminutive form of the word for “book” or “scroll.” This indicates it is a smaller scroll, distinct from the larger scroll mentioned in Revelation 5 (the one with seven seals). While English translations sometimes say “little book” or “little scroll,” the Berean Standard Bible consistently calls it the “small scroll” or “little scroll.”

2. Open and Accessible:

The angel’s scroll is already open, suggesting that its contents are ready to be revealed. Unlike the sealed scroll in Revelation 5, which only the Lamb could open, this smaller scroll seems to represent a specific prophetic message designated for John to internalize and then proclaim.

3. Possible Connection to Prophecy:

Many commentators tie the contents of this scroll to the prophecies John must deliver about “many peoples and nations and tongues and kings” (Revelation 10:11). It may indicate a portion of God’s revealed plan that supplements the broader judgments described throughout Revelation.

III. Scriptural Parallels

1. Ezekiel’s Scroll (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3):

A well-known precedent for eating a scroll is found in the book of Ezekiel, where God gives the prophet a scroll to eat. Ezekiel observes: “I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth” (Ezekiel 3:3). The sweetness symbolizes the delight in receiving God’s word, yet Ezekiel also experiences the weight of the message of judgment for the rebellious house of Israel.

2. Jeremiah’s Joy in God’s Word (Jeremiah 15:16):

Though Jeremiah does not literally eat a scroll, he expresses a similar idea: “When Your words came, I devoured them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight”. This parallel highlights the spiritual nourishment and joy that come from internalizing the word of God.

These Old Testament parallels reinforce the concept that receiving God’s message can be both uplifting (sweet) and burdensome or bitter when it contains themes of judgment and warnings.

IV. Symbolic Meaning of Eating the Scroll

1. Internalizing God’s Message:

In Revelation 10:9–10, John writes, “So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the small scroll. ‘Take it and eat it,’ he said. ‘It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ So I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach turned bitter.”

The act of eating emphasizes personal assimilation—God’s revealed truth is not just heard but taken inwardly. It becomes part of John’s very being before he delivers it to others.

2. Sweetness and Bitterness:

• Sweetness: Reflects the goodness, hope, and ultimate victory contained within God’s word. God’s message includes salvation, redemption, and the promise that evil does not triumph.

• Bitterness: Conveys the severity of judgment and tribulation for those who reject God’s truth. Declaring judgment can be painful, reflecting both God’s holiness and the sorrow inherent when people refuse His salvation.

V. The Commission to Prophesy (Revelation 10:11)

After consuming the little scroll, John is told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.” This call expands John’s prophetic work. The bitter news of judgment and the sweet news of salvation must be proclaimed to a broad audience.

God’s instructions confirm that John is not merely a spectator; he is an active messenger. The experience of tasting sweetness and bitterness forms him into a more empathetic, yet resolute, bearer of God’s revelation.

VI. Historical and Theological Perspectives

1. Patristic Commentary:

Early church writers often noted the parallel between John and Ezekiel. Their consensus saw the scroll as divine revelation—something the prophet must internalize in order to speak truthfully from God. They emphasized that true prophecy demands both comforting promises and stern rebukes.

2. Consistency in Manuscript Evidence:

Surviving ancient manuscripts such as Papyrus 115 (around the late 3rd century) and Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) preserve the text of Revelation. These witness the uniformity of the account regarding the angel and the little scroll, supporting the authenticity of this passage.

3. Prophetic Vision and Judgment:

The image of the open scroll fits within the broader eschatological narrative, wherein God’s word is fully authoritative. The bitter-sweet conflict underscores that while believers find solace in God’s ultimate triumph, the announcement of coming wrath is sobering.

VII. Practical Reflections

1. Faithful Proclamation:

Taking a lesson from John’s vision, believers are reminded that faithfully sharing the full counsel of God includes both words of grace and warnings of judgment.

2. Seriousness of God’s Word:

The bitterness in John’s stomach highlights the gravity of divine messages pertaining to sin and the need for repentance. Christians today can learn that spreading God’s truth involves embracing its difficult facets, not merely the “sweet” parts.

3. Hope in the Midst of Judgment:

Even as Revelation contains vivid descriptions of apocalyptic events, it consistently points to the hope of redemption through Christ’s saving work and final victory. The little scroll, though containing bitter elements, underscores God’s sovereign plan leading to the ultimate renewal of all things.

VIII. Summary

In Revelation 10, John encounters a mighty angel holding a little scroll. He is instructed to eat this scroll, finding that it tastes sweet like honey but turns his stomach bitter. Drawing on prophetic imagery from Ezekiel, this scene illustrates the dual nature of God’s word—joyful promise and severe warning. Internalizing the scroll symbolizes embracing God’s truth entirely and preparing to proclaim it to the world.

The “little book” represents a specific revelation or instruction that John must digest before delivering its contents. Its sweetness derives from God’s redemptive plan, while its bitterness flows from the message of coming judgment on unrepentant nations. Through this vivid experience, John is commissioned to prophesy to “many peoples and nations and tongues and kings,” reminding readers that God’s revelation must be declared in its fullness.

As preserved through reliable manuscript evidence, and supported by parallels in Old Testament imagery, the little scroll in Revelation 10 remains a clear testament to God’s authority, the sobering reality of divine judgment, and the hope of ultimate restoration found in the message of Scripture.