Revelation 5:3
New International Version
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.

New Living Translation
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

English Standard Version
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it,

Berean Standard Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.

Berean Literal Bible
And no one in heaven, nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the scroll, nor to see it.

King James Bible
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

New King James Version
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.

New American Standard Bible
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.

NASB 1995
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it.

NASB 1977
And no one in heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it.

Legacy Standard Bible
And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.

Amplified Bible
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth [in Hades, the realm of the dead] was able to open the scroll or look into it.

Christian Standard Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it.

American Standard Version
And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

Contemporary English Version
No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.

English Revised Version
And no one in the heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look thereon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it.

Good News Translation
But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it.

International Standard Version
No one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth could open the scroll or look inside it.

Majority Standard Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.

NET Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look into it.

New Heart English Bible
No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the scroll, or to look in it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look upon it.

Weymouth New Testament
But no one in Heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or look into it.

World English Bible
No one in heaven above, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look in it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And no one was able in Heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, to open the scroll, nor to behold it.

Berean Literal Bible
And no one in heaven, nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the scroll, nor to see it.

Young's Literal Translation
and no one was able in the heaven, nor upon the earth, nor under the earth, to open the scroll, nor to behold it.

Smith's Literal Translation
And none was able in heaven, nor upon earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And no man was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look on it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And no one was able, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to gaze upon it.

New American Bible
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to examine it.

New Revised Standard Version
And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And no man in heaven above, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look on it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And there was none able in Heaven or in Earth, nor any under The Earth, to open the scroll and to open its seals and look upon it.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And no one in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look upon it.

Godbey New Testament
And no one in the heaven, nor upon the earth, nor beneath the earth, was able to open the book, and to look into it.

Haweis New Testament
And no man was able in heaven, nor upon earth, nor under the earth, to open the book, nor to look into it.

Mace New Testament
and no one in heaven, nor in earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look therein.

Weymouth New Testament
But no one in Heaven, or on earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or look into it.

Worrell New Testament
And no one in Heaven, or on the earth, or under the earth, was able to open the book or to look upon it.

Worsley New Testament
And no one in heaven, nor on earth, nor under the earth, was able to open the book, or to look into it:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Scroll with Seven Seals
2And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. 4And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.…

Cross References
Daniel 12:4
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

Isaiah 29:11
And the entire vision will be to you like the words sealed in a scroll. If it is handed to someone to read, he will say, “I cannot, because it is sealed.”

Ezekiel 2:9-10
Then I looked and saw a hand reaching out to me, and in it was a scroll, / which He unrolled before me. And written on the front and back of it were words of lamentation, mourning, and woe.

Daniel 7:10
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.

Isaiah 41:28
When I look, there is no one; there is no counselor among them; when I ask them, they have nothing to say.

Isaiah 59:16
He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him.

Jeremiah 32:10-14
I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales. / Then I took the deed of purchase—the sealed copy with its terms and conditions, as well as the open copy— / and I gave this deed to Baruch son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the sight of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who were signing the purchase agreement and all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard. ...

Zechariah 5:1-2
Again I lifted up my eyes and saw before me a flying scroll. / “What do you see?” asked the angel. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied, “twenty cubits long and ten cubits wide.”

Isaiah 63:5
I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me.

Isaiah 34:16
Search and read the scroll of the LORD: Not one of these will go missing, not one will lack her mate, because He has ordered it by His mouth, and He will gather them by His Spirit.

Ezekiel 3:1-3
“Son of man,” He said to me, “eat what you find here. Eat this scroll, then go and speak to the house of Israel.” / So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. / “Son of man,” He said to me, “eat and fill your stomach with this scroll I am giving you.” So I ate, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.

John 5:39
You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me,

Romans 8:22
We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

Hebrews 10:5-7
Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You prepared for Me. / In burnt offerings and sin offerings You took no delight. / Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’”

Matthew 11:27
All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.


Treasury of Scripture

And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Revelation 5:13
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Isaiah 40:13,14
Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counseller hath taught him? …

Isaiah 41:28
For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counseller, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.

Jump to Previous
Able Book Earth Heaven Inside Open Regard Scroll Thereon Underneath
Jump to Next
Able Book Earth Heaven Inside Open Regard Scroll Thereon Underneath
Revelation 5
1. The book sealed with seven seals,
9. which only the Lamb that was slain is worthy to open.
12. Therefore the elders praise him, and confess that he redeemed them with his blood.














But no one
This phrase emphasizes the absolute inability of any being to perform the task at hand. In the Greek, "no one" (οὐδεὶς) underscores the universality of this incapacity, highlighting the exclusivity of Christ's worthiness. It sets the stage for the revelation of Christ's unique role in salvation history, reminding us of the limitations of all creation compared to the Creator.

in heaven or on earth or under the earth
This triadic expression encompasses all of creation, signifying the totality of the universe. "In heaven" refers to the celestial beings, including angels and saints. "On earth" includes all living humans, while "under the earth" traditionally refers to the realm of the dead or possibly demonic forces. This comprehensive scope illustrates that neither the spiritual nor the physical realms possess the authority or purity required to open the scroll, pointing to the need for a divine solution.

was able
The Greek word used here, "ἐδύνατο" (edynato), conveys the idea of power or ability. This highlights the impotence of all created beings in the face of divine mysteries. It serves as a humbling reminder of human limitations and the necessity of divine intervention in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

to open the scroll
The scroll represents God's ultimate plan and purpose for creation, sealed and inaccessible to all but the worthy. In the ancient world, scrolls were used for important documents, often sealed to ensure their contents remained hidden until the appropriate time. The inability to open the scroll signifies the mystery of God's will, which can only be revealed by one with the authority and purity to do so.

or look inside it
This phrase further emphasizes the complete inaccessibility of the scroll's contents. To "look inside" implies understanding and insight, which are beyond the reach of any creature. This reinforces the theme of divine sovereignty and the exclusive role of Christ as the revealer of God's mysteries. It inspires awe and reverence for the wisdom and knowledge of God, which surpass all human understanding.

(3) And no man . . . .--Or, better, no one (for it is of more than mankind that the Apostle speaks) was able, in the heaven, nor on the earth, nor under the earth, nor even (still less?) to look thereon. The looking on the book is usually understood of the look cast on the book of one who would read the contents. If so, the thought is, none could open, still less read, the roll. It may, however, be that all who attempted to take the book were unable to face the glory in which it lay. When Christ revealed Himself to Saul he could not see for the glory of that light.

Verse 3. - And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon; no one in the heaven, or on the earth (Revised Version). That is, no one in all creation - in heaven, or on earth, or in the place of departed spirits. No one was able "to look thereon" (that is, "to read therein") as a consequence of no one being fit to open the book.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[But]
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

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

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

heaven
οὐρανῷ (ouranō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

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

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

under
ὑποκάτω (hypokatō)
Preposition
Strong's 5270: Underneath, below, under. From hupo and kato; down under, i.e. Beneath.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

was able
ἐδύνατο (edynato)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

to open
ἀνοῖξαι (anoixai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 455: To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

scroll
βιβλίον (biblion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 975: A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll.

[or]
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

look inside
βλέπειν (blepein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 991: (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.

it.
αὐτό (auto)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 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.


Links
Revelation 5:3 NIV
Revelation 5:3 NLT
Revelation 5:3 ESV
Revelation 5:3 NASB
Revelation 5:3 KJV

Revelation 5:3 BibleApps.com
Revelation 5:3 Biblia Paralela
Revelation 5:3 Chinese Bible
Revelation 5:3 French Bible
Revelation 5:3 Catholic Bible

NT Prophecy: Revelation 5:3 No one in heaven above (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 5:2
Top of Page
Top of Page