Revelation 16:15
New International Version
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

New Living Translation
“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

English Standard Version
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)

Berean Standard Bible
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”

Berean Literal Bible
"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one watching and keeping his garments, so that he should not walk naked and they might see his shame."

King James Bible
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

New King James Version
“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

New American Standard Bible
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and people will not see his shame.”)

NASB 1995
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)

NASB 1977
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, lest he walk about naked and men see his shame.”)

Legacy Standard Bible
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his garments, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”)

Amplified Bible
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who stays awake and who keeps his clothes [that is, stays spiritually ready for the Lord’s return], so that he will not be naked—spiritually unprepared—and men will not see his shame.”)

Christian Standard Bible
“Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Look, I am coming like a thief. The one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame is blessed.”

American Standard Version
( Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)

Contemporary English Version
Remember Christ says, "When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won't have to walk around naked and be ashamed."

English Revised Version
(Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"See, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains alert and doesn't lose his clothes. He will not have to go naked and let others see his shame."

Good News Translation
"Listen! I am coming like a thief! Happy is he who stays awake and guards his clothes, so that he will not walk around naked and be ashamed in public!"

International Standard Version
"See, I am coming like a thief. How blessed is the person who remains alert and keeps his clothes on! He won't have to go naked and let others see his shame."

Majority Standard Bible
?Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.?

NET Bible
(Look! I will come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays alert and does not lose his clothes so that he will not have to walk around naked and his shameful condition be seen.)

New Heart English Bible
"Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he does not walk naked, and they see his shame."

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his clothes, so that he doesn’t walk naked, and they see his shame.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
(“Behold, I come as a thief; blessed [is] he who is watching, and keeping his garments, that he may not walk naked, and they may see his unseemliness.”)

Berean Literal Bible
"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one watching and keeping his garments, so that he should not walk naked and they might see his shame."

Young's Literal Translation
lo, I do come as a thief; happy is he who is watching, and keeping his garments, that he may not walk naked, and they may see his unseemliness,' --

Smith's Literal Translation
(Behold, I come as a thief. Happy he watching, and keeping his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Behold, I arrive like a thief. Blessed is he who is vigilant and who preserves his vestment, lest he walk naked and they see his disgrace.”

New American Bible
(“Behold, I am coming like a thief.” Blessed is the one who watches and keeps his clothes ready, so that he may not go naked and people see him exposed.)

New Revised Standard Version
(“See, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and is clothed, not going about naked and exposed to shame.”)
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he must walk naked, and they see his shame.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Behold, I come like a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Behold, I come as a thief: blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, that he may not walk naked, and that men may not see his nakedness.

Godbey New Testament
Behold, I am coming as a thief; blessed is the one watching and keeping his garments, in order that he may not walk about naked, and they may see his shame.

Haweis New Testament
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he who watcheth, and keepeth his garments, that he walk not about naked, and men see his shame.

Mace New Testament
"I shall come with surprize, happy he that is upon the watch, and keepeth his garments pure, that his vices may not put him to shame."

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
"Behold, I come as a thief! Happy is he that is watching, and keeping his garments; that he walk not naked, and they see his shame."

Worsley New Testament
"Behold, I come as a thief: blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, that he may not walk naked, and his shame be seen."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Six Bowls of Wrath
14These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. 15“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.” 16And they assembled the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.…

Cross References
Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. / But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

Luke 12:35-40
Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ...

2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Mark 13:33-37
Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. / It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. ...

Revelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

1 John 2:28
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

Matthew 25:13
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

Romans 13:11-14
And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. / Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ...

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Genesis 3:7
And the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; so they sewed together fig leaves and made coverings for themselves.

Zechariah 3:4
So the angel said to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes.”

Exodus 19:10-11
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

I come.

Revelation 3:3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Matthew 24:43
But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

1 Thessalonians 5:2,3
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night…

Blessed.

Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

lest.

Revelation 3:4,18
Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy…

Exodus 32:25
And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

Isaiah 47:3
Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.

Jump to Previous
Awake Blessed Clothes Garments Happy Keepeth Keeping Keeps Naked Robes Shame Shamefully Stays Thief Unseemliness Walk Watches Watcheth Watching
Jump to Next
Awake Blessed Clothes Garments Happy Keepeth Keeping Keeps Naked Robes Shame Shamefully Stays Thief Unseemliness Walk Watches Watcheth Watching
Revelation 16
1. The angels pour out their bowls of wrath.
6. The plagues that follow.
16. Armageddon.














Behold
This word serves as a call to attention, urging the reader or listener to pay close attention to what follows. In the Greek, "ἰδού" (idou) is an imperative form, often used in Scripture to introduce a significant revelation or divine truth. It is a reminder that the message is of utmost importance and demands immediate consideration. In the context of Revelation, it underscores the urgency and gravity of the prophetic vision being unveiled.

I am coming
This phrase is a direct declaration from Jesus Christ, affirming His imminent return. The Greek verb "ἔρχομαι" (erchomai) is in the present tense, indicating an action that is both certain and impending. Historically, this promise of Christ's return has been a cornerstone of Christian eschatological hope, providing believers with assurance and motivation to live faithfully in anticipation of His second coming.

like a thief
This simile emphasizes the unexpected and sudden nature of Christ's return. The imagery of a thief is used elsewhere in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 24:43, 1 Thessalonians 5:2) to convey the idea that the timing of the Lord's coming will be unforeseen, catching many unprepared. It serves as a warning to remain vigilant and spiritually alert, as the exact moment of His return is unknown.

Blessed is the one
The term "blessed" (Greek: "μακάριος," makarios) denotes a state of spiritual well-being and divine favor. It is a pronouncement of happiness and fulfillment for those who heed the call to readiness. In the Beatitudes and other scriptural contexts, this word often describes those who live in accordance with God's will and are thus recipients of His blessings.

who remains awake
This phrase calls for spiritual vigilance and readiness. The Greek word "γρηγορέω" (grēgoreō) means to be watchful or alert. In the historical context of the early church, believers were encouraged to remain steadfast in faith and practice, anticipating Christ's return at any moment. This exhortation continues to resonate with Christians today, urging them to live in a state of constant spiritual preparedness.

and clothed
Being "clothed" in this context symbolizes being spiritually prepared and righteous. In biblical symbolism, clothing often represents one's spiritual state or condition (e.g., Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 19:8). The call to be clothed suggests maintaining a life of holiness and integrity, adorned with the virtues and righteousness that come from a relationship with Christ.

so that he will not go naked
Nakedness here represents shame and unpreparedness. In the ancient world, being found naked was a sign of disgrace and vulnerability. Spiritually, it signifies a lack of readiness and the absence of the protective covering of righteousness. This warning serves as a reminder to maintain one's spiritual garments, ensuring that one's life is aligned with God's standards.

and let his shame be exposed
The exposure of shame is a consequence of spiritual negligence. In biblical terms, shame is often associated with sin and the failure to live according to God's commands. This phrase underscores the importance of living a life that is above reproach, so that when Christ returns, believers will not be found wanting or embarrassed by their spiritual state. It is a call to live transparently and honorably, reflecting the light of Christ in a dark world.

(15) Behold, I come . . .--Translate, Behold, I come as a thief. It is the oft-repeated Scripture warning (Revelation 3:3; 1Thessalonians 5:2-3; 2Peter 3:10. Comp. Luke 12:35-40). It reminds us not only that our Lord may come unexpectedly, but that He may even come and we be unaware. There is one day when He will come, and every eye will behold Him; but He comes in various ways and forms to bless and to test man. Blessed are they who are ready, watching. But vigilance is not enough: the garments must be kept. The powers of evil are abroad. Sloth and pleasure may counsel ease, and tempt the watcher to lay aside his garments and take rest and sleep. The earnest watcher desires, like St. Paul, to be found in Christ, clad in the true righteousness of faith (Philippians 3:9).

Verse 15. - Behold, I come as a thief. The very words addressed to the Church at Sardis (Revelation 3:3), and similar to those connected by our blessed Lord with the great day (see ver. 14). The mention of that day, and perhaps the knowledge that the battle is a daily one (see on ver. 14), naturally leads to the solemn warning given here. It is worth notice how St. John adopts this idea; and this of itself should suffice to demonstrate the incorrectness of endeavoring to compute the times and seasons, as has been done by so many Apocalyptic writers (cf. also Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 4; 2 Peter 3:10). Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. The same figure again as in Revelation 3:17. Isaac Williams correctly points out that these words seem to indicate that the battle of ver. 14 is a daily one, in which Christians are themselves engaged (see on ver. 14). The garment is the garment of righteousness, the fervent love of God (see on Revelation 3:17).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Behold,
Ἰδοὺ (Idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

I am coming
ἔρχομαι (erchomai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a thief.
κλέπτης (kleptēs)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2812: A thief. From klepto; a stealer.

Blessed [is]
μακάριος (makarios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3107: Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.

the [one who]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

remains awake
γρηγορῶν (grēgorōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1127: (a) I am awake (in the night), watch, (b) I am watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

clothed,
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

he will not go
περιπατῇ (peripatē)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

naked
γυμνὸς (gymnos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1131: Rarely: stark-naked; generally: wearing only the under-garment; bare, open, manifest; mere. Of uncertain affinity; nude.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

{let} his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

shame
ἀσχημοσύνην (aschēmosynēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 808: From askemon; an indecency; by implication, the pudenda.

be exposed.”
βλέπωσιν (blepōsin)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 16:15 Behold I come like a thief (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 16:14
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