What Does Revelation 19:14 Mean in the King James?
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The heavenly host’s unity is shown in its movement with the rider and in its shared garment of clean white linen.
THE MEANING
This vision shows you a company moving with the rider, its belonging made visible in fine linen, white and clean. Their identity is both relational and visible: they accompany him and wear what the verse calls clean.
THE ROOT
ἠκολούθει
ēkolouthei
GROWS FROM
ἀκολουθ-
akolouth-
to accompany or follow
The word behind “followed” carries the sense of accompanying; the related noun names a follower or companion. The armies are pictured as a company moving with the rider, and the same verb appears in Jesus’ invitation to follow him.
ALSO GROWS
akoloutheō: to follow, accompany
ἀκολουθέω
This is the verb translated “followed” here, showing the host’s relation to the rider.
akolouthos: follower, companion
ἀκόλουθος
This related noun names someone who accompanies another, illuminating the armies as a following company.
synakoloutheō: to follow along with, accompany
συνακολουθέω
This related verb makes the shared movement explicit: following can mean accompanying someone.
καθαρόν
katharon
GROWS FROM
καθαρ-
kathar-
clean, pure
The Greek distinguishes λευκός (leukos, “white”) from καθαρός (katharos, “clean”), giving the linen both visible brightness and cleanness. The kathar- family also names cleansing and purification, so “clean” carries a quality associated with the work of making clean, not merely a shade of white.
ALSO GROWS
katharizō: to cleanse, make clean
καθαρίζω
This verb from the same stem makes cleanness an action as well as a described state.
katharismos: cleansing, purification
καθαρισμός
This related noun names cleansing or purification, extending the word’s sense beyond appearance.
THE PATTERN
Scripture uses luminous or divinely given garments to make a changed relation to God visible.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.THE THREAD
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.The Greek verb translated “followed” here is also the verb behind Jesus’ “follow me” in John 12:26. John ties following to being where Jesus is; Revelation pictures the host accompanying the rider.
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