Revelation 9:3 Meaning: What Are the Locusts from the Smoke?
Then out of the smoke came locusts on the earth, and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
And out of the smoke came forth locusts to the earth, and there was given to them authority, as scorpions of the earth have authority,
And out of the smoke came forth locusts on the earth, and power was given to them as the scorpions of the earth have power;
Meaning in one sentence
Learn what the locusts with scorpion power symbolize in Revelation 9:3. Christians interpret them as armies, demons, or false teachers.
Context
The fifth trumpet brings a frightening vision. A star falls from heaven, given the key to the pit of the abyss. When he opens it, smoke pours out like from a great furnace, darkening the sun and air. From that smoke, locusts emerge onto the earth. These are not ordinary locusts that eat crops. They are given power like scorpions to torment people. The vision draws on Old Testament plagues, especially the locusts of Exodus and Joel, but adds a supernatural dimension. The abyss, or bottomless pit, is a place of imprisonment for demonic forces. What comes out is terrifying, but careful limits are placed on them in the following verses.
Key Words
Two Greek words carry the weight here. Akris means locust, but John is not describing the insect you might see in a field. Old Testament prophets used locusts as symbols of invading armies (Joel 1:4, Judges 7:12). These locusts come from the abyss, not from nature. The word exousia, translated "power" or "authority," appears twice. First, "power was given to them", the passive verb shows this authority is granted, not seized. Second, they have power "like the scorpions of the earth." The comparison is deliberate: scorpions sting with their tails, causing sharp pain. John is describing a limited, painful, but not deadly, torment. The source of the plague may be hellish, but the leash is held by God.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians have read this verse in different ways. Some see it as a prophecy of historical armies that persecuted the church. Adam Clarke understood the locusts as vast military troops, perhaps the Saracens or Romans. Others, like Matthew Poole, connect them to corrupt religious leaders who deceive and torment the faithful with false teaching. The Cambridge Bible notes the contrast: these are not natural locusts but infernal ones, able to hurt like scorpions. Eastern Orthodox interpreters often see the locusts as demons released during times of apostasy. What unites these readings is the conviction that this vision describes real spiritual evil, operating under God's permissive will.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume these are literal locusts that devour crops. But verse 4 says they are told not to hurt the grass or trees. Natural locusts strip vegetation; these locusts attack people. In fact, John is using the familiar image of a locust plague to describe a spiritual assault that torments, not destroys, and it comes from the abyss, not from the natural world.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to look at the evil and suffering in the world with open eyes. There are forces of cruelty and deception that seem to emerge from darkness itself. But the language of the verse is careful: "power was given to them." These locusts do not have their own authority. Every sting, every torment, every deception is on a leash. This week, when you encounter something that feels overwhelming, a news headline, a personal betrayal, a flood of lies, remember that it has a limit. You can pray with confidence because the One who holds the keys to the abyss also holds you.
Main takeaway: Even the most terrifying forces of darkness operate only within the limits God sets.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
In this story, scary locusts come out of smoke. They can sting like scorpions, but God tells them what they can and cannot do. God is bigger than any scary thing.
For ages 9, 12
These locusts are not real bugs. They are a picture of evil that comes from the abyss, like a bottomless pit. They have power to hurt people, but only the power God allows. Even the devil has to ask permission. This helps us see that no matter how bad things get, God is still in control.
Questions People Ask
Are these literal locusts in Revelation 9:3?
No. The locusts in Revelation 9 are symbolic. They come from the abyss, not from nature, and they target people, not plants. John uses the image of locusts from Exodus and Joel to represent destructive spiritual forces.
What is the abyss in Revelation 9?
The abyss, or bottomless pit, is a prison for demons in Jewish and Christian tradition. In Revelation, it is opened by a fallen star, releasing these locusts. It represents the domain of evil, but it is locked and unlocked by God's authority.
What does 'power like scorpions' mean?
Scorpions sting with their tails, causing sharp pain but not always death. The locusts are given power to torment people for five months, not to kill. This limit shows God's control even over judgment.
How does Revelation 9:3 connect to the plagues in Exodus?
The locust plague in Exodus 10 was one of the ten plagues on Egypt. John echoes that imagery but transforms it: the Exodus locusts destroyed crops, but these locusts attack people. It is a deeper spiritual plague.
Who or what do the locusts represent?
Christians have offered many interpretations: invading armies (like the Saracens), heretical teachers, the corrupt clergy of the medieval church, or demonic spirits. All agree they represent evil allowed by God for a limited time.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study