Revelation 19:12
New International Version
His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.

New Living Translation
His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.

English Standard Version
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

Berean Standard Bible
He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows.

Berean Literal Bible
Now His eyes are like a flame of fire, and upon His head many diadems, having a name having been written, which no one except He Himself knows,

King James Bible
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

New King James Version
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

New American Standard Bible
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

NASB 1995
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.

NASB 1977
And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; having a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself,

Amplified Bible
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many royal crowns; and He has a name inscribed [on Him] which no one knows or understands except Himself.

Christian Standard Bible
His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on his head. He had a name written that no one knows except himself.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself.

American Standard Version
And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.

Contemporary English Version
He had eyes like flames of fire, and he was wearing a lot of crowns. His name was written on him, but he was the only one who knew what the name meant.

English Revised Version
And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written, which no one knoweth but he himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His eyes are flames of fire. On his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him, but only he knows what it is.

Good News Translation
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and he wore many crowns on his head. He had a name written on him, but no one except himself knows what it is.

International Standard Version
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many royal crowns. He has a name written on him that nobody knows except himself.

Majority Standard Bible
He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has names written on Him, and a name written that only He Himself knows.

NET Bible
His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself.

New Heart English Bible
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He had a name written which no one knows but he himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

Weymouth New Testament
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many kingly crowns; and He has a name written upon Him which no one but He Himself knows.

World English Bible
His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and His eyes [are] as a flame of fire, and on His head [are] many crowns—having a Name written that no one has known, except Himself,

Berean Literal Bible
Now His eyes are like a flame of fire, and upon His head many diadems, having a name having been written, which no one except He Himself knows,

Young's Literal Translation
and his eyes are as a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems -- having a name written that no one hath known, except himself,

Smith's Literal Translation
And his eyes as a flame of fire, and upon his head many diadems; having a name written, which no one knows, except himself.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems, and he had a name written, which no man knoweth but himself.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, having a name written, which no one knows except himself.

New American Bible
His eyes were [like] a fiery flame, and on his head were many diadems. He had a name inscribed that no one knows except himself.

New Revised Standard Version
His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had names written, and one of the names written, no man knew but he himself.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And his eyes were like flames of fire, and many diadems were upon his head and he had The Name written, which no one knew but he alone.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems; and he had a name written which no one knew, but he himself.

Godbey New Testament
And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; having a name written, which no one knows, but himself,

Haweis New Testament
And his eyes were as a flame of fire, and upon his head were many diadems; and he hath a name inscribed which no man knoweth but himself.

Mace New Testament
his eyes were as a flame of fire, on his head were many crowns: and a name inscrib'd which no one comprehended, but himself:

Weymouth New Testament
His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many kingly crowns; and He has a name written upon Him which no one but He Himself knows.

Worrell New Testament
And His eyes are as a flame of fire; and on His head are many diadems; having a name written which no one knows but Himself;

Worsley New Testament
His eyes are as a flame of fire, and many crowns on his head: and He hath a name written, which none knoweth but Himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rider on the White Horse
11Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.…

Cross References
Daniel 10:6
His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Isaiah 63:1-3
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.

Matthew 24:30
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Ezekiel 1:26-28
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. / From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Isaiah 6:1-3
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Daniel 7:9-10
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. / He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Isaiah 42:13
The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:

Colossians 1:16-18
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. / And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

Ezekiel 43:2
and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory.


Treasury of Scripture

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

eyes.

Revelation 1:14
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

Revelation 2:18
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

on his.

Revelation 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.

Revelation 12:3
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

Revelation 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

a name.

Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

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Revelation 19
1. God is praised in heaven for judging the great harlot, and avenging the blood of his saints.
7. The marriage of the Lamb.
10. The angel will not be worshipped.
17. The birds called to the great slaughter.














He has eyes like blazing fire
This phrase evokes a powerful image of Christ's penetrating vision and divine insight. The Greek word for "eyes" is "ophthalmoi," which signifies not just physical sight but also spiritual perception. The "blazing fire" symbolizes purity, judgment, and the ability to see through the facades of humanity. In the context of Revelation, this imagery underscores Christ's role as the righteous judge who discerns the hearts and minds of all. Historically, fire has been associated with divine presence and purification, as seen in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and the tongues of fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3). This description assures believers of Christ's omniscience and His ability to purify and refine His people.

and many royal crowns on His head
The "royal crowns" or "diadems" in Greek, "diadēmata," signify authority and sovereignty. Unlike the "stephanos," a victor's crown, the diadem is a symbol of kingly rule. The multiplicity of crowns indicates the fullness of Christ's dominion and His ultimate victory over all earthly and spiritual powers. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, a diadem was a mark of imperial authority. This imagery in Revelation affirms Christ's supreme kingship and His rightful claim over all creation, fulfilling prophecies such as those in Psalm 2:6-9 and Isaiah 9:6-7. For believers, this is a reminder of the assured triumph of God's kingdom.

He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows
The concept of a "name" in biblical terms often represents one's character or essence. The Greek word "onoma" is used here, indicating a deep, intrinsic identity. The fact that this name is known only to Christ suggests a mystery and a depth to His nature that is beyond human comprehension. This echoes the Old Testament understanding of God's ineffable name, YHWH, which signifies His eternal and unchanging nature. In the ancient Near East, knowing someone's name was thought to give power over them, but here, the unknown name emphasizes Christ's transcendence and the mystery of His divine nature. For believers, this is an invitation to trust in the mystery of Christ's person and work, acknowledging that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

(12, 13) His eyes were as a flame . . .--Or, rather, And His eyes are (as) a flame of fire, and upon His head many diadems--(He) having names written, and a name written which no one knows but He Himself--and clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. On the description here and in Revelation 19:5, comp. Notes on Revelation 1:14-16. There is no doubt who is before us in this vision. These flame-like eyes have been fixed upon the moving scenes of human life, and have been reading the hearts of men, and the true meaning of all events and actions. All things have been naked and open to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:13). He wears many crowns--diadems--crowns rather of royalty than of victory. Some have thought that the crowns He wears are crowns taken from the heads of the kings who have made war with Him (Revelation 19:12-13, and Revelation 19:19). It is needless to suppose this; their crowns were His before they were discrowned. The diadems He wears proclaim that not only over a worldwide empire He is king, but of all nations He is truly king. He is not as an emperor among kings, the head of a federation of princedoms; but He is truly King--King of history, King of life, King of human hearts, King everywhere, over each realm and over all realms, King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has names written, and a name. The clause having "names written" is omitted in the English version. The authority for its insertion is not entirely satisfactory; but perhaps the balance of evidence is in its favour. He has many names which may be understood, besides a name which no one knows. This is fitting in One who is known to men as Shepherd, Redeemer, Saviour, Prince of Life, but the fulness of Whose love and power none can exhaust, and the depth of Whose wisdom none can fathom. "He knows our names. Thanks be to God, we cannot fathom the depths of His." There is more yet to be known of Him in the world to which we go. His vesture is dipped in blood. The prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 63:2) probably supplied the foundation of this description. (Comp. Revelation 19:15.) The blood-red vesture is a fit token of the work. He comes to destroy those that destroy the earth--to tread the winepress of the wrath of God; but we cannot forget that He who comes for this came first to shed His own blood. He is, too, "The Word of God." Again we hear this name; it is a name which is, besides other things, significant of Christ's mediating work. He is the Word who was with God, who was God, and who declares God to man. (Comp. John 1:1-4; John 3:13; John 14:9.) The title the Word, the Word of God--used here and in the Gospel of St. John (Revelation 1:2; John 1:1; 1John 1:1)--is a token of their common authorship. (See Introduction and Excursus A: The Doctrine of the Word, in Commentary on the Gospel.) . . . Verse 12. - His eyes were as a flame of fire; and his eyes [are] a flame of fire. Again as in Revelation 1:13. "Fire" is the type of purity and judgment (see Psalm 97:3; Isaiah 47:14; Isaiah 66:15; Amos 5:6; 1 Corinthians 3:13, etc.; Revelation 3:18). And on his head were many crowns; and upon his head [are] many diadems. Διαδήματα, " kingly crowns " (cf. Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1), because he now comes as a King to judgment. The plurality of "crowns" points to his character as King of kings (see Revelation 17:14; cf. Revelation 13:1). And he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself; hath a name... no, one knoweth. Evidently the "new name" of Revelation 3:12, the significance of which St. John is unable to comprehend (see on Revelation 2:7; 3:12). From the connection with the preceding clause, we naturally infer that this name was written upon his forehead (cf Revelation 7:3); 16:1); but the writer does not explicitly state this. In B, twenty-five cursives, and Syriac, the words, "names written and," are inserted before "name."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He [has]
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.

eyes
ὀφθαλμοὶ (ophthalmoi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3788: The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.

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

blazing
φλὸξ (phlox)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5395: A flame. From a primary phlego; a blaze.

fire,
πυρός (pyros)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.

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

many
πολλά (polla)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

royal crowns
διαδήματα (diadēmata)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1238: A head-wreath, crown, diadem. From a compound of dia and deo; a 'diadem'.

on
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

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.

head.
κεφαλὴν (kephalēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

He has
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

a name
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

written [on Him]
γεγραμμένον (gegrammenon)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

that
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

only
οὐδεὶς (oudeis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

He Himself
αὐτός (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 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.

knows.
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 19:12 His eyes are a flame of fire (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 19:11
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