Book of Revelation Chapter 1 Vs. 14

September 07, 2025

 Vision of the Son of Man

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

His...

αὑτού

hautoú; fem. hautḗs, neut. hautoú, the contracted form of heautoú, of his own. Himself, herself, itself (Mat. 1:21; 3:12; Luke 5:25; 9:14; 2Tim. 2:19; Rev. 16:17). For autoú instead of hautoú, see autós (II, C), he or self.

head...

κεφαλή

kephalḗ; gen. kephalḗs, fem. noun. The head, top, that which is uppermost in relation to something.

(I) Particularly of man (Mat. 6:17; 8:20; 27:30; Luke 7:38); as cut off (Mat. 14:11; Mark 6:27); of animals (Rev. 9:17, 9:19; 12:3; Sept.: Gen. 3:15; 40:19); as the principal part, but emphatically for the whole person (Acts 18:6, "Your blood be upon your own heads," meaning the guilt for your destruction rests upon yourselves; Rom. 12:20 quoted from Pro. 25:22; Sept.: 2Sam. 1:16; 1Kgs. 2:33, 2:37). Metaphorically of things, the head, top, summit, e.g., the head of the corner, meaning the chief stone of the corner, the cornerstone (Mat. 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11; 1Pet. 2:7, all quoted from Psm. 118:22), the same as akrogōniaíos, belonging to the extreme corner, chief corner (Sept.: Gen. 8:5; 11:4).

(II) Metaphorically of persons, i.e., the head, chief, one to whom others are subordinate, e.g., the husband in relation to his wife (1Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23) insofar as they are one body (Mat. 19:6; Mark 10:8), and one body can have only one head to direct it; of Christ in relation to His Church which is His body, and its members are His members (cf. 1Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23; Col. 1:18; Col. 2:10, 2:19); of God in relation to Christ (1Cor. 11:3). In Col. 2:10 & Eph. 1:22, God the Father is designated as the head of Christ. Generally, of a leader or ruler (Sept.: Jdg. 11:11).

Deriv.: apokephalízō, to decapitate, behead; kephalís, a knob, roll, volume; perikephalaía, helmet.

Syn.: hēgemṓn, a leader.

Ant.: poús, foot; hupopódion, footstool, something under the feet.

and his hairs...

θρίξ

thríx; gen. trichós, pl. tríches, dat. pl. thrixí, fem. noun. A hair (also in the pl., the hairs of the head, but rendered in the sing. as "the hair") (Mat. 5:36; Luke 21:18; Acts 27:34 [cf. 1Sam. 14:45; 1Kgs. 1:52]); in the pl. (Mat. 10:30; Luke 7:38, 7:44; 12:7; John 11:2; 12:3; 1Pet. 3:3; Rev. 1:14; 9:8; Sept.: Num. 6:5, 6:18; Jdg. 16:22); the hair of animals (Mat. 3:4; Mark 1:6; Sept.: Exo. 25:4; 35:6, 35:26).

Deriv.: tríchinos, made of hair.

Syn.: kómē, human hair.

were white...

λευκός

leukós; fem. leukḗ, neut. leukón, adj. White, also shining, glittering. Used of clothing sometimes in the sense of bright (Mat. 17:2; 28:3; Mark 9:3; 16:5; Luke 9:29; John 20:12; Acts 1:10); of hair (Mat. 5:36; Rev. 1:14); of harvest meaning ripe (John 4:35); of stone (Rev. 2:17); symbolically (Rev. 3:4-5, 3:18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 7:13; 19:14); of a horse (Rev. 6:2; 19:11, 19:14); of a cloud (Rev. 14:14); of the throne of God (Rev. 20:11).

Deriv.: leukaínō, to make white.

Syn.: phōteinós, bright, light; lamprós, bright, clear, white.

Ant.: mélas, black, dirty; skoteinós, dark; auchmērós, murky, dark.

In classical Greek very indefinite as an expression of color; being used, not only of the whiteness of the snow, but of gray dust. Its original sense is clear. All three evangelists use the word, but combined with different terms. Thus, Matthew, as the light. Mark, στίλβοντα, glistering (see on Mark 9:3). Luke, ἐξαστράπτων only here in New Testament, flashing as with the brilliance of lightning. Rev., dazzling.

like...

ὡσεί

hōseí; conditional adv. from hōs, as, and ei, if. As if, as though, followed by the opt. In the NT only before a noun or adj.

(I) In comparisons, as if, as it were, as, like as (cf. hōs I, B) (Mat. 9:36; 28:3-4; Mark 9:26; Luke 22:44; 24:11; Acts 2:3; 6:15; 9:18; Heb. 1:12; 11:12; Rev. 1:14; Sept.: Job 28:5; 29:25). Elliptically where a part. or inf. belonging to the noun before hōseí is also implied with the noun after hōseí (Mat. 3:16, "as a dove descending" [a.t.]; Mark 1:10; John 1:32; inf. Luke 3:22).

(II) Before words of number and measure, as if, as it were, meaning about, approximately (cf. hōs II, D). Before numerals (Mat. 14:21, "about five thousand"; Mark 6:44; Luke 1:56; 3:23; 9:14, 9:28; 22:59; 23:44; John 4:6; 6:10; 19:14, 19:39; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:36; 10:3; 19:7; Sept.: Jdg. 3:29). Of measure (Luke 22:41).

wool...

ἔριον

érion; gen. eríou, neut. noun from éros (n.f.), wool. Wool (Heb. 9:19; Rev. 1:14; Sept.: Lev. 13:47-48; Pro. 31:13; Isa. 1:18).

This combination to represent whiteness occurs in Dan. 7:9, and Isa. 1:18. Snow, in Psm. 51:7. See on Luke 9:29.

as white... see were white above.

as...

ὥς

hṓs; relative adv. from hós, who, correlative to pṓs, how, in what manner or way. As, so as, how, sometimes equivalent to a conjunction (cf. IV). For hōs án, as if, see án cf. II, A, 1, and B, 3).

(I) In comparisons. In Attic writers hṓsper, just as, is the prevailing word in this usage.

(A) Particularly, fully, with the corresponding demonstrative adv. as hoútōs, thus, or the like, either preceding or following, hoútōs . . . hōs, so . . . as (Mark 4:26; John 7:46, so as if; 1Cor. 3:15); hōs amnós . . . hoútōs, as . . . so (Acts 8:32 quoted from Isa. 53:7; Acts 23:11); hōs gár . . . oútō (gár, and, but, for, therefore; oútō, thus), as therefore, "as . . . so also"; Rom. 5:15, 5:18; 2Cor. 7:14; 2Cor. 11:3; 1Th. 2:7; 5:2); ísos . . . hōs, (ísos, similar, equal), the like, similar, equal gift . . . as (Act_11:17). Homoíōs kaí hṓs (homoíōs, similarly, likewise; kaí, and), likewise also as (Luke 17:28); hōs . . . kaí, where hoútōs, thus) is strictly implied (cf. kai, and, II, B). Hōs en ouranṓ, kaí epí tḗs gḗs (ouranṓ, heaven; gē̄́s, earth), as in heaven, also on earth (Mat. 6:10; Acts 7:51; Gal. 1:9). Frequently hoútōs is omitted and then hōs may often be rendered "so as" or simply "as" (Acts 7:37; Rom. 4:17; 5:16). Sometimes the whole clause to which hōs refers is omitted as in Mark 4:31, "the kingdom of God" is omitted, which, however, occurs in Mark 4:30.

snow...

χιών

chiṓn; gen. chiṓnos, fem. noun. Snow (Mat. 28:3; Mark 9:3; Rev. 1:14; Sept.: Job 37:6; Isa. 1:18; 55:10).

Syn.: chálaza, hail; brochḗ, rain; huetós, a shower of rain; ómbros, a thunderstorm, shower; krústallos, ice, crystal.

Ant.: eudía, fair weather.

and his eyes...

ὀφθαλμός

ophthalmós; gen. ophthalmoú, masc. noun from óptomai or optánomai, to gaze. Eye.

(I) An eye; pl. ophthalmoí, eyes.

(A) Generally (Mat. 5:29, 5:38; Mark 8:25; Luke 24:16; Acts 9:18; 1Cor. 12:16; 15:52; Rev. 3:18; Sept.: Gen. 29:17; 48:10).

(B) In phrases, ophthalmós haploús (haploús, single, without folds), meaning a sound eye, as contrasted to ophthalmós ponērós (ponērós, evil), an unsound, evil or diseased eye (Mat. 6:22-23). With anoígō, to open, to open the eyes (Acts 9:8, 9:40), means either one's own eyes or those of another, i.e., to cause to see, to restore sight (Mat. 9:30; 20:33; John 9:10, 9:14, 9:17, 9:21, 9:26, 9:30, 9:32; 10:21; 11:37; Sept.: Isa. 35:5; 37:23; 42:7); metaphorically, it means to open the eyes of the mind, i.e., cause to perceive and understand (Acts 26:18). With dianoígō, to open wide the eyes, means to cause to see what was not seen before (Luke 24:31; Sept.: 2Kgs. 6:17); with exorússō, to dig out, denotes entire devotedness (Gal. 4:15; Sept.: 1Sam. 11:2); with epaírō, to raise up, to lift up the eyes, means to look upon (Mat. 17:8; Luke 6:20; 16:23; 18:13; John 4:35; 6:5; 17:1; Sept.: Gen. 13:10; Ezk. 18:6); with kamnúō, to shut down, to close the eyes so as not to see (Mat. 13:15; Acts 28:27, quoted from Isa. 6:10). In 1Pet. 3:12, "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous" means the eyes of the Lord are directed upon the righteous implying affection, quoted from Psm. 34:15. In 2Pet. 2:14 "eyes full of adultery" indicates one who looks at others with adulterous desire. Heb. 4:13, "naked and open in his eyes" (a.t.), means uncovered, manifest. See also Sept.: Job. 27:19.

Christ's eyes were as a flame of fire (Rev.1:14). This description is also found in Revelation 19:11,12 where Christ is pictured as a judge and Conqueror over the Antichrist and the nations of the earth who have gathered together for the Battle of Armageddon. His eyes of fire symbolize perfect discernment.

were as... see as above.

a flame...

φλόξ

phlóx; gen. phlogós, fem. noun from phlégō (n.f.), to burn, shine as fire (Sept.: Exo. 3:2; Isa. 29:6; Joel 1:19). A bright burning fire or flame (Luke 16:24; Acts 7:30; 2Th. 1:8; Heb. 1:7 quoted from Psm. 104:4; Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 19:12; Sept.: Isa. 30:30). The description of the Son of Man in Rev. 1:14 is similar to those found in OT (cf. especially Dan. 3:25).

Deriv.: phlogízō, to inflame.

Syn.: púr, fire; puretós, feverish, fever; purá, a fire; púrōsis, burning, used figuratively for trial; kaúsis, the act of burning; kaúsōn, burning heat; kaúma, the result of burning, the glow or heat produced; thérmē, warmth, heat.

Ant.: psúchos, cold.

Compare Dan. 10:6. Fire, in Scripture, is the expression of divine anger. The figure may include the thought of the clear and penetrating insight of the Son of Man; but it also expresses His indignation at the sin which His divine insight detects. Compare Rev. 19:11, 19:12. So Homer, of Agamemnon in a rage: His eyes were like shining fire (Iliad, i., 104); also of Athene, when she appears to Achilles: Her eyes appeared dreadful to him (Iliad, i., 200).

of fire...

πύρ

púr; gen. purós, neut. noun. Fire.

(I) Literal fire (Mat. 3:10, 3:12; 7:19; 13:40; 17:15; Mark 9:22; Luke 3:9, 3:17; 22:55; John 15:6; Acts 28:5; Heb. 11:34; Jas. 3:5; 5:3; 1Pet. 1:7; Rev. 3:18; 8:5, "upon the altar" (a.t.), Rev. 8:8; 9:17-18; 11:5; 14:18; 15:2; 16:8; 17:16; 18:8; Sept.: Gen. 22:6-7; Exo. 32:20). The gen. purós often takes the place of an adj. (Acts 7:30, "fiery flame" [a.t.]; Heb. 1:7; Rev. 1:14; 2:18; 19:12; Sept.: Isa. 29:6). The words are sometimes reversed, that is, the fire of the flame (en purí phlogós, (2Th. 1:8; Sept.: Psm. 104:4). In Rom. 12:20, ánthrakas, coals) purós, burning coals is used. See also Sept.: Lev. 16:12. In Acts 2:3, "tongues like as of fire"; Rev. 4:5, "pillars of fire"; Rev. 10:1, "fiery pillars" (a.t. [cf. Sept.: Exo. 13:21-22]). Spoken of fire from heaven (Luke 9:54; 17:29; Rev. 13:13; 20:9). Used in an absolute sense (Acts 2:19 quoted from Joel 2:30; 3:3; Heb. 12:18; Rev. 8:7).

Both texts, the Book of Daniel and Revelation, testify to an encounter with a singular being who looked like a human being. In each case, the man wore a white linen robe girded with gold sash across His waist in Daniel, but across His chest in Revelation.

Christ's hair was white like wool (Rev. 1:14). Christ is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting. When the prophet Daniel had a similar vision, he also described Him as having hair like pure wool, raiment white as snow, and eyes as a flame of fire (Dan 7:9).

Compare Dan. 10:6

John was at the transfiguration of Jesus and had seen a glimpse of what He would be like then. We are looking here through John's eyes as he describes what he sees. This white hair can mean several different things. One is that white hair goes with Daniel's description of the Ancient of Days.

My own insight into this whiteness is because of the great Light. Jesus is the source of all light. We know that in heaven there is no need for the sun and moon, because of the presence of the Light which is Jesus.

Jesus was seen of John as Son of man, but now John is seeing Him as the second person of the Godhead. This eternity of Jesus now known as King of Kings and Lord of Lords is showing in all His majesty. We have seen God throughout the Bible associated with fire. We read that God is a consuming fire. We saw Him in the burning bush, the fiery finger of God that burned the Ten Commandments in the rock, and we are told that Jesus baptizes with fire. This fire of the Holy Ghost cleanses us inside by burning out the old self making way for the new.

Eyes indicate wisdom. Jesus' look is so full of wisdom and fire that it looks into our heart and purges out the sin with fire. This look (with these piercing, fiery eyes) will come into a Holy Ghost filled church and will burn so brightly that this look will purge the church. Those who cannot stand to be purged will leave. The church that is left, regardless of how small, will be lined up with the will of God.

Not only so. It is even of peculiar importance to observe that the attributes with which the Priest-King is clothed are not so much those of tenderness and mercy as those of power and majesty, inspiring the beholder with a sense of awe and with the fear of judgment. Already we have had some traces of this in considering vs. 7 (Rev. 1:7): now it comes out in all its force. That hair of a glistering whiteness which, like snow on which the sun is shining, it almost pains the eye to look upon; those eyes penetrating like a flame of fire into the inmost recesses of the heart; those feet which like metal raised to a white heat in a furnace consume in an instant whatever they tread upon in anger; that voice loud and continuous, like the sound of the mighty sea as it booms along the shore; that sword sharp, two-edged, issuing from the mouth, so that no one can escape it when it is drawn to slay; and lastly, that countenance like the sun in the height of a tropical sky, when man and beast cower from the irresistible scorching of his beams, all are symbolical of judgment. Eager to save, the exalted High Priest is yet also mighty to destroy. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. Be wise now, therefore, O ye Kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. (Psm. 2:9-12). 

The whiteness of His hair corresponded to that of the Ancient of Days (cf. Dan. 7:9), a reference to God the Father. God the Son has the same purity and eternity as God the Father, as signified by the whiteness of His head and hair. The eyes like blazing fire described His piercing judgment of sin (cf. Rev. 2:18).

Book of Revelation