Revelation 20:4

Authorized King James Version

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
εἶδον
I saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#3
θρόνους
thrones
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
#4
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#5
ἐκάθισαν
they sat
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
#6
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#7
αὐτῶν,
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#8
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#9
κρίμα
judgment
a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime"))
#10
ἐδόθη
was given
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#11
αὐτῶν,
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#12
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
τὰς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ψυχὰς
I saw the souls
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
#15
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
πεπελεκισμένων
of them that were beheaded
to chop off (the head), i.e., truncate
#17
διὰ
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#18
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
μαρτυρίαν
the witness
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
#20
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#21
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#22
διὰ
for
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#23
τὸν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
λόγον
the word
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#25
τοῦ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#26
θεοῦ
of God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#27
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#28
οἵτινες
which
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
#29
οὐκ
neither
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#30
προσεκύνησαν
had
to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)
#31
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#32
θηριῷ,
the beast
a dangerous animal
#33
οὐτὲ
neither
not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even
#34
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#35
εἰκόνα
image
a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
#36
αὐτῶν,
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#37
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#38
οὐκ
neither
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#39
ἔλαβον
had received
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
#40
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#41
χάραγμα
his mark
a scratch or etching, i.e., stamp (as a badge of servitude), or scupltured figure (statue)
#42
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#43
τὸ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#44
μέτωπον
foreheads
the forehead (as opposite the countenance)
#45
αὐτῶν,
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#46
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#47
ἐπὶ
in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#48
τὴν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#49
χεῖρα
hands
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#50
αὐτῶν,
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#51
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#52
ἔζησαν
they lived
to live (literally or figuratively)
#53
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#54
ἐβασίλευσαν
reigned
to rule (literally or figuratively)
#55
μετὰ
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#56
Χριστοῦ
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#57
τά
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#58
χίλια
a thousand
a thousand
#59
ἔτη
years
a year

Analysis

Within the broader context of Revelation, this passage highlights kingdom of God through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Revelation.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within imperial persecution under Domitian's demand for emperor worship. The author writes to address persecuted Christians in Asia Minor facing pressure to compromise, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection