CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 5:4 And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/5-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/66_Rev_05_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 5:4 - The Scroll with Seven Seals" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/5-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/5-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/5-3.htm" title="Revelation 5:3">◄</a> Revelation 5:4 <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm" title="Revelation 5:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/5.htm">New International Version</a> I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. <a href="/nlt/revelation/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. <a href="/esv/revelation/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. <a href="/bsb/revelation/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/blb/revelation/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I was weeping loudly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll, nor to see it. <a href="/kjv/revelation/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/5.htm">New King James Version</a> So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. <a href="/nasb/revelation/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; <a href="/nasb77/revelation/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And I began to weep greatly, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it; <a href="/lsb/revelation/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then I was crying greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. <a href="/amp/revelation/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look into it. <a href="/csb/revelation/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it. <a href="/asv/revelation/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: <a href="/cev/revelation/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I cried hard because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/erv/revelation/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look thereon: <a href="/gwt/revelation/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I cried bitterly because no one was found who deserved to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/gnt/revelation/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/isv/revelation/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> I began to cry bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/msb/revelation/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. <a href="/net/revelation/5.htm">NET Bible</a> So I began weeping bitterly because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. <a href="/nheb/revelation/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll, or to look in it. <a href="/wbt/revelation/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open, and to read the book, neither to look upon it. <a href="/wey/revelation/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And while I was weeping bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the book or look into it, <a href="/web/revelation/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, nor to behold it, <a href="/blb/revelation/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I was weeping loudly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll, nor to see it. <a href="/ylt/revelation/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the scroll, nor to behold it, <a href="/slt/revelation/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I wept much, that none was found worthy to open and to read the hook, neither to look upon it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I wept greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book, nor to see it. <a href="/nabre/revelation/5.htm">New American Bible</a> I shed many tears because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to examine it. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And I wept exceedingly, because no man was found worthy to open the book, neither to look on it. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I was weeping much because none was found worthy to open the scroll and to loosen its seals,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look upon it. <a href="/godbey/revelation/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look into it. <a href="/haweis/revelation/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And I wept much because no man was found worthy either to open or read the book, or even to look upon it. <a href="/mace/revelation/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and read the book, nor to look therein. <a href="/wey/revelation/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And while I was weeping bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the book or look into it, <a href="/worrell/revelation/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And I was weeping much, because no one was found worthy to open the book, or to look upon it; <a href="/worsley/revelation/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> and I wept much because no one was found worthy to open and read the book, nor to look into it. <a href="/parallel/revelation/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=1039" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/5.htm">The Scroll with Seven Seals</a> …3But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it. 4<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/2799.htm" title="2799: eklaion (V-IIA-1S) -- To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud.">began to weep</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: poly (Adj-ANS) -- Much, many; often. ">bitterly,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: oudeis (Adj-NMS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">no one</a> <a href="/greek/2147.htm" title="2147: heurethē (V-AIP-3S) -- A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.">was found</a> <a href="/greek/514.htm" title="514: axios (Adj-NMS) -- Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable.">worthy</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: anoixai (V-ANA) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">to open</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/975.htm" title="975: biblion (N-ANS) -- A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll.">scroll</a> <a href="/greek/3777.htm" title="3777: oute (Conj) -- And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.">or</a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepein (V-PNA) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">look inside</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it.</a> 5Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/29-11.htm">Isaiah 29:11-12</a> 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.” / Or if the scroll is handed to one unable to read, he will say, “I cannot read.” <a href="/daniel/12-4.htm">Daniel 12:4</a> 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.” <a href="/ezekiel/2-9.htm">Ezekiel 2:9-10</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/53-3.htm">Isaiah 53:3</a> He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22-23</a> We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. / Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. <a href="/john/16-20.htm">John 16:20-22</a> Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. / A woman has pain in childbirth because her time has come; but when she brings forth her child, she forgets her anguish because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. / So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a> As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ... <a href="/matthew/5-4.htm">Matthew 5:4</a> Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. <a href="/isaiah/22-4.htm">Isaiah 22:4</a> Therefore I said, “Turn away from me, let me weep bitterly! Do not try to console me over the destruction of the daughter of my people.” <a href="/jeremiah/9-1.htm">Jeremiah 9:1</a> Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people. <a href="/jeremiah/13-17.htm">Jeremiah 13:17</a> But if you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive. <a href="/ezekiel/9-4.htm">Ezekiel 9:4</a> “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem,” said the LORD, “and put a mark on the foreheads of the men sighing and groaning over all the abominations committed there.” <a href="/psalms/119-136.htm">Psalm 119:136</a> My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed. <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a> My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?” <a href="/psalms/56-8.htm">Psalm 56:8</a> You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle—are they not in Your book?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.because.<a href="/revelation/4-1.htm">Revelation 4:1</a> After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.<a href="/daniel/12-8.htm">Daniel 12:8,9</a> And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Able</a> <a href="/acts/20-37.htm">Bitterly</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Book</a> <a href="/revelation/4-2.htm">Found</a> <a href="/3_john/1-3.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Open</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-15.htm">Read</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/revelation/3-17.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/revelation/5-3.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/james/5-1.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/james/5-1.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-30.htm">Wept</a> <a href="/revelation/5-2.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/49-23.htm">Bitterly</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Book</a> <a href="/revelation/10-10.htm">Found</a> <a href="/revelation/11-10.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/6-14.htm">Inside</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Open</a> <a href="/exodus/24-7.htm">Read</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Scroll</a> <a href="/revelation/6-2.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Weeping</a> <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Wept</a> <a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">Worthy</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 5</div>1. <a href="/revelation/5-1.htm">The book sealed with seven seals,</a> 9. <a href="/revelation/5-9.htm">which only the Lamb that was slain is worthy to open.</a> 12. <a href="/revelation/5-12.htm">Therefore the elders praise him, and confess that he redeemed them with his blood.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And I began to weep bitterly The Apostle John, the author of Revelation, expresses deep sorrow and distress. This emotional response highlights the gravity of the situation. In the biblical context, weeping often signifies profound grief or despair, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/jeremiah/9.htm">Jeremiah 9:1</a> and <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41</a>. John's weeping underscores the importance of the scroll and the need for someone worthy to open it. The intensity of his weeping suggests the critical nature of the revelation contained within the scroll, which pertains to God's ultimate plan for redemption and judgment.because no one was found worthy The search for someone worthy emphasizes the holiness and righteousness required to open the scroll. Worthiness here implies moral and spiritual perfection, qualities that align with divine standards. This reflects the biblical theme of human inadequacy and the need for a savior, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a>. The phrase also points to the uniqueness of Christ, who alone is worthy, as later revealed in <a href="/revelation/5-5.htm">Revelation 5:5-6</a>. This moment highlights the anticipation and expectation for the one who can fulfill God's redemptive plan.to open the scroll or look inside it The scroll represents God's decrees and the unfolding of future events, possibly containing judgments, blessings, and the ultimate fulfillment of prophecy. In ancient times, scrolls were used for important documents, and sealed scrolls indicated confidentiality and authority. The inability to open or even look inside the scroll signifies the limitations of creation in understanding or executing God's sovereign will. This connects to <a href="/daniel/12-4.htm">Daniel 12:4</a>, where a sealed scroll is mentioned, and emphasizes the need for divine intervention to reveal and enact God's purposes. The scroll's contents are crucial for the consummation of history and the establishment of God's kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/john_the_apostle.htm">John the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Revelation, who is experiencing this vision while exiled on the island of Patmos. He is the one weeping in this verse. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_scroll.htm">The Scroll</a> A significant object in the vision, sealed with seven seals, representing God's ultimate plan and judgment. Its contents are crucial for the unfolding of God's purposes. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_throne_room.htm">The Heavenly Throne Room</a> The setting of this vision, where John witnesses the events surrounding the scroll. It is a place of divine majesty and authority. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_elders_and_living_creatures.htm">The Elders and Living Creatures</a> Present in the throne room, they are part of the heavenly court, witnessing the search for someone worthy to open the scroll. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lamb.htm">The Lamb (Jesus Christ)</a> Although not mentioned in this specific verse, He is central to the chapter as the one who is ultimately found worthy to open the scroll.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_worthiness.htm">The Importance of Worthiness</a> The weeping of John underscores the gravity of finding someone worthy to open the scroll. It reminds us of the unique worthiness of Christ, who alone can fulfill God's redemptive plan. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_divine_revelation.htm">The Role of Divine Revelation</a> Just as the scroll's contents are hidden until opened, God's plans and purposes are often beyond human understanding without His revelation. We must seek His guidance through prayer and study. <a href="/topical/t/the_assurance_of_god's_sovereignty.htm">The Assurance of God's Sovereignty</a> Despite the initial despair, the chapter reveals that God has a plan and a worthy redeemer in Christ. This assures us that God is in control, even when circumstances seem uncertain. <a href="/topical/t/the_emotional_response_to_god's_plan.htm">The Emotional Response to God's Plan</a> John's weeping reflects a deep emotional engagement with God's purposes. We are encouraged to approach God's Word with a similar earnestness and desire for understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 5</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_24_elders_in_revelation.htm">Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation?</a> <a href="/q/what_do_the_seals,_trumpets,_bowls_mean.htm">What do the Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls signify?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_revelation's_seven_seals.htm">What are Revelation's seven seals?</a> <a href="/q/who_were_the_biblical_prophets.htm">Who were the biblical prophets?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) And I wept much, because no man (better, no one) was found worthy to open . . . the book (omit, "and to read").--The Apostle is not ashamed to call attention to his tears. I, indeed, for my part (the "I" is emphatic) wept much. It was not a failure of faith; it was the outburst of an earnest heart, to which the knowledge of God and the destinies of his fellowmen were very dear. Those who have longed to see the end of oppression, fraud, and sorrow on the earth, to know something of the laws which govern the present, and of their issue in the future, will understand these tears. "The words, ' I wept much,' can only be understood by those who have lived in great catastrophes of the Church, and entered with the fullest sympathy into her sufferings Without tears the Revelation was not written, neither can it without tears be understood."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - And I wept much (ἔκλαιον); I burst into tears, and continued weeping. A strong expression in the imperfect tense. Because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. The words, "and to read? should be omitted. They are found in few manuscripts. The equivalent phrase follows, "neither to look thereon." <a href="/commentaries/revelation/5-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. began to weep ἔκλαιον (eklaion) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2799.htm">Strong's 2799: </a> To weep, weep for, mourn, lament. Of uncertain affinity; to sob, i.e. Wail aloud. bitterly, πολὺ (poly) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. no one οὐδεὶς (oudeis) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. was found εὑρέθη (heurethē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2147.htm">Strong's 2147: </a> A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find. worthy ἄξιος (axios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_514.htm">Strong's 514: </a> Worthy, worthy of, deserving, comparable, suitable. Probably from ago; deserving, comparable or suitable. to open ἀνοῖξαι (anoixai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_975.htm">Strong's 975: </a> A papyrus roll. A diminutive of biblos; a roll. [or] οὔτε (oute) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3777.htm">Strong's 3777: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. it. αὐτό (auto) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/5-4.htm">Revelation 5:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/5-4.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 5:4 And I wept much because no one (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 5:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>