Revelation of John 5:9 · Bible study
Revelation 5:9 Commentary: The Lamb's Purchase of the Nations
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the meaning of the Lamb's new song, the price of redemption, and the worldwide scope of God's salvation in Revelation 5:9.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The Lamb's sacrificial death makes him worthy to open God's scroll and purchase a multi-ethnic people for God.
- Key words: 'new song' (kainēn ōdēn), a fresh, unprecedented song of redemption; 'purchased' (ēgorasas), bought with a price; 'blood' (aimati), the costly means of purchase.
- Main debate: The textual variant of 'us' vs 'them' in v.9, and whether the elders sing as the redeemed or as separate representatives.
- Theological theme: Atonement as a ransom/purchase; the universal scope of salvation; Christ's worthiness as the basis of worship.
- Best use: Preaching the centrality of the cross in worship; emphasizing the global mission of the church; grounding assurance in Christ's finished work.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
WEB World English Bible 2000
They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,
KJV King James Version 1769
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and they sing a new song, saying, `Worthy art thou to take the scroll, and to open the seals of it, because thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed to God, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seals thereof: because thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y cantaban un nuevo cántico, diciendo: Digno eres de tomar el libro, y de abrir sus sellos; porque tú fuiste inmolado, y nos has redimido para Dios con tu sangre, de todo linaje y lengua y pueblo y nación;
E ele cantavam um novo cântico, dizendo: Digno tu és de tomar o livro, e abrir seus selos; porque tu foste morto, e com teu sangue para Deus nos compraste, de toda tribo, língua, povo, e nação;
Et ils chantaient un cantique nouveau, en disant: Tu es digne de prendre le livre, et d’ en ouvrir les sceaux; car tu as été immolé, et tu as racheté pour Dieu par ton sang des hommes de toute tribu, de toute langue, de tout peuple, et de toute nation;
und sangen ein neues Lied und sprachen: Du bist würdig, zu nehmen das Buch und aufzutun seine Siegel; denn du bist erwürget und hast uns Gott erkauft mit deinem Blut aus allerlei Geschlecht und Zunge und Volk und Heiden
En zij zongen een nieuw lied, zeggende: Gij zijt waardig dat boek te nemen, en zijn zegelen te openen; want Gij zijt geslacht, en hebt ons Gode gekocht met Uw bloed, uit alle geslacht, en taal, en volk, en natie;
E cantavano un nuovo cantico, dicendo: Tu sei degno di prendere il libro e d’aprirne i suggelli, perché sei stato immolato e hai comprato a Dio, col tuo sangue, gente d’ogni tribù e lingua e popolo e nazione,
I śpiewali nową pieśń, mówiąc: Godzieneś jest wziąć księgi i otworzyć pieczęci ich, żeś był zabity i odkupiłeś nas Bogu przez krew swoję ze wszelkiego pokolenia i języka, i ludu, i narodu:
И поют новую песнь, говоря: достоин Ты взять книгу и снять с нее печати, ибо Ты был заклан, и Кровию Своею искупил нас Богу из всякого колена и языка, и народа и племени,
他們唱 新 歌，說：你 配 拿 書卷， 配揭開 七印；因為 你曾被殺， 用 自己的 血 從 各 族、 各方、 各民、 各國 中買了人來，叫他們歸於 神，
And their voices are sounding in a new song, saying, It is right for you to take the book and to make it open: for you were put to death and have made an offering to God of your blood for men of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation,
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Revelation of John 5:9
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the 'new song' of Revelation 5:9 celebrates the Lamb's unique redemptive work, a theme absent from earlier heavenly worship. Barnes notes that this song is 'new' because redemption was not part of creation's original song; Clarke adds that the phrase echoes Psalms 96:1 and 144:9, pointing to the gospel dispensation. The key verb ēgorasas (you purchased) carries the sense of buying in a marketplace, emphasizing the cost paid, Christ's own blood (Vincent). Gill and JFB stress the universal scope: the Lamb purchases people 'out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation,' a fourfold formula (φυλῆς, γλώσσης, λαοῦ, ἔθνους) that affirms both Jewish and Gentile inclusion. The Cambridge Bible observes that this universal gathering 'hardly anything in St Paul [is] as strong.' The worthiness of the Lamb stems directly from his sacrificial death, not from power alone, a point all sources underline.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The Lamb's sacrificial death is the basis for his worthiness to open the scroll and for the redemption of a worldwide people.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'new song' | The song is unprecedented, focused on redemption | Whether it is a new composition for the occasion or an eternal song that remains ever-new |
| Identity of the singers | The four living creatures and twenty-four elders sing | The Cambridge Bible argues the elders do not include themselves as redeemed (omit 'us'), while Gill insists they represent the redeemed church |
| Scope of redemption | Christ's blood purchases people from all humanity | Some see 'out of every tribe' as universal atonement; others (Gill) as particular redemption of the elect from among all nations |
Historical & Cultural Context
Revelation 5 is set in the heavenly throne room first described in chapter 4. God holds a scroll sealed with seven seals, which represents the sovereign plan for history, including judgment and redemption (Lange, Barnes). No creature in heaven or on earth is worthy to open it. Then the Lamb appears, standing 'as though it had been slain' (Rev 5:6), with seven horns (perfect power) and seven eyes (perfect knowledge). He takes the scroll from God's right hand, prompting the worship that leads to the new song.
The cultural background of a sealed scroll would be familiar to John's first readers: Roman legal documents and Jewish contracts were often sealed to protect their contents until the rightful heir opened them. The Lamb's worthiness to unseal it shows his unique authority to execute God's plan.
The song's phrase 'out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation' echoes Daniel 3:4, a formula used in the Persian Empire to describe a universal decree. Here it signifies that Christ's redemption reaches every ethnic and linguistic group, not just Israel. The present-tense verb adousin ('they are singing') suggests this worship is continuous, not a single event (Vincent). Early Christians, facing persecution, would find assurance that their suffering was part of God's plan and that the Lamb's sacrifice already secured a multi-ethnic people for God.
Textual Notes
The most significant textual variant in Revelation 5:9 is the inclusion or omission of the Greek word hēmas ('us') after 'purchased.' The earliest and most reliable manuscripts (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus) omit it, reading 'You purchased ... to God by Your blood out of every tribe.' Later Byzantine manuscripts include 'us,' which is reflected in translations like the KJV and WEB. The Cambridge Bible and Vincent's Word Studies prefer the omission, suggesting the song refers generally to 'men' rather than identifying the singers as the redeemed. This variant directly affects whether the elders and living creatures are understood as part of the redeemed community or as separate heavenly beings. The consulted sources note no other significant variants for this verse.
Reception History
Revelation 5:9 has shaped Christian worship and theology for centuries. Early church fathers like Irenaeus used it to affirm the substitutionary nature of Christ's death: the Lamb was slain as a ransom. In medieval liturgy, the verse was read as part of the heavenly Mass, inspiring hymns that echo its language, such as 'Worthy Is the Lamb' in Handel's Messiah. The Reformers, including Luther and Calvin, saw in it the clear doctrine of salvation by grace alone through the blood of Christ. In modern missions, this verse fuels the call to preach the gospel to all nations, as the song already anticipates the global fruit of the Lamb's sacrifice. Across traditions, the verse remains a touchstone for the church's confession that Christ's death is the unique basis for redemption and worship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Worthy Lamb: The song declares 'Worthy are You', not because of conquest but because of sacrifice. The Lamb's death is the foundation of all that follows.
- The Purchased People: The Lamb buys people for God from every tribe, tongue, nation. This shows salvation is both costly and global.
- The New Song: Only the redeemed can sing this song. It is 'new' because redemption is a fresh work of God, unmatched by creation's hymn.
Five-point outline
- The Setting: The heavenly throne room, a sealed scroll, no one worthy.
- The Lamb Revealed: The Lion of Judah appears as a slain Lamb, power through vulnerability.
- The Basis of Worthiness: 'Because you were slain', the cross is the ground of all authority.
- The Scope of Purchase: 'Every tribe, tongue, people, nation', the gospel is for all peoples.
- The Response: Continuous worship, the song never ends because redemption never loses its freshness.
Illustration hooks
- A receipt for a large purchase: the receipt proves ownership. The Lamb's blood is the receipt that shows we belong to God.
- A hit song can only be sung by the artist who lived the experience. Only those redeemed can sing this song authentically.
- A global choir singing in different languages but the same melody, illustrating unity bought by Christ.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this verse mean only some are saved? How do we understand 'out of every tribe' if Christ died for all?
- What is the scroll, and why does it matter?
- How can I be confident that I am among the people purchased by the Lamb?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us into the heavenly worship that centers on Christ's redemptive work. The new song reminds us that salvation is not abstract, it cost the Lamb's blood and it reaches every people group.
Discussion questions
- What makes this song 'new'? How does it differ from the songs sung at creation?
- Why is the Lamb's worthiness based on being slain? What does this teach about God's values?
- The song says people are purchased 'by Your blood.' What does this phrase tell us about the necessity of Christ's death?
- Why does the song list four categories (tribe, tongue, people, nation)? What does each term emphasize?
- How does this verse shape the mission of the church today? What priority does it set?
- Who is singing? Does it matter whether the elders represent the redeemed or angels? Why?
- How does knowing you are part of this purchased people give you hope in hard times?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 33:3 | Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy! |
| Psalms 40:3 | He has put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in Yahweh. |
| Psalms 96:1 | Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth. |
| Psalms 98:1 | A Psalm. Sing to Yahweh a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. |
| Psalms 144:9 | I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you. |
| Psalms 149:1 | Praise Yahweh! Sing to Yahweh a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints. |
| Isaiah 42:10 | Sing to Yahweh a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants. |
| Daniel 3:4 | Then the herald cried aloud, “To you it is commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the "new song" refers to the Gospel and its blessings, an excellent song for the new dispensation now opened on earth. He sees the living creatures and elders as representing the whole Christian Church from every nation and age, all redeemed by Christ's sacrificial blood.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes emphasizes that the "new song" in heaven is new because it could only arise from redemption. Without humanity's fall and Christ's death, this particular praise—centered on the slain Lamb who ransoms people from every tribe, language, and nation—would never have been sung.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator emphasizes that the Greek word translated "redeemed" simply means "bought," without necessarily implying restoration to liberty. He also notes the elders likely are not themselves among the redeemed, and insists the phrase "to God" corrects any notion that Christ redeemed humanity from the Father.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes identify the golden vials held by the elders and living creatures as containing the prayers of the saints. Believers' prayers are presented as fragrant incense before the Lamb, emphasizing their precious role in heavenly worship.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses that the redeemed singing this new song come from every nation, not every individual within them. He argues this shows Christ purposely purchased people for God by His blood, paying the price to divine justice, rather than redeeming all of humanity without distinction.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB distinguishes the four terms 'tribe' and 'people' as typically referring to Israel, while 'tongue' and 'nation' refer to Gentiles. Together they show the redeemed church gathered from both, and the number four indicates worldwide scope. The 'new song' expresses redemption as an ever-renewed theme of praise.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry draws attention to Christ's position in the very center of the Father's throne, indicating He shares the same divine seat and authority. No created being, angel or elder, stands as near; only the Lamb who was slain is qualified to take the sealed book and open its seals.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that "they sing" is in the present tense, pointing to the continual, unending worship in heaven. He emphasizes that "redeem" literally means "purchase," with the phrase "in Thy blood" using a Hebraistic construction where the price contains the value of what is bought. He also observes that "kindred" properly refers to "tribe," often of Israel, and that "people" and "nation" carry specific connotations.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the song is new because no one had ever sung it before, and the phrase "Thou hast redeemed us" refers not to the past act of redemption but to its fruit, especially for those who have finished their earthly course. He applies this to the redeemed from all mankind, drawn from every tribe, tongue, and nation.