Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
And I saw (kai eidon). Stirred by the words of the elder in verse Revelation 5:5 (idou, behold). "I beheld."
In the midst (en mesw). See Revelation 4:6 for this idiom. It is not quite clear where the Lamb was standing in the vision, whether close to the throne or in the space between the throne and the elders (perhaps implied by "came" in verse Revelation 5:7, but nearness to the throne is implied by Revelation 14:1; Acts 7:56; Hebrews 10:11).
A Lamb (arnion). Elsewhere in the N.T. o amnov is used of Christ (John 1:29, John 1:36; Acts 8:32; 1 Peter 1:19 like Isaiah 53:7), but in the Apocalypse to arnion occurs for the Crucified Christ 29 times in twelve chapters.
Standing (esthkov). Second perfect active (intransitive of isthmi) neuter accusative singular (grammatical gender like arnion), though some MSS. read esthkwv (natural gender masculine and nominative in spite of eidon construction according to sense).
As though it had been slain (wv esfagmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of sfazw, old word, in N.T. only in Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12; Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:9; Revelation 13:3; Revelation 18:24; 1 John 3:12. wv (as if) is used because the Lamb is now alive, but (in appearance) with the marks of the sacrifice. The Christ as the Lamb is both sacrifice and Priest (Hebrews 9:12 f.; Hebrews 10:11).
Having (exwn). Construction according to sense again with masculine nominative participle instead of exonta (masculine accusative singular) or exon (neuter accusative singular). Seven horns (kerav) is a common symbol in the O.T. for strength and kingly power (1 Samuel 2:10; 1 Kings 22:11; Psalms 112:9; Daniel 7:7, Daniel 7:20 ff.) and often in Rev. (Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:3, Revelation 17:12). Fulness of power (the All-powerful one) is symbolized by seven.
Seven eyes (ofqalmouv epta). Like Zechariah 3:9; Zechariah 4:10 and denotes here, as there, omniscience. Here they are identified with the seven Spirits of Christ, while in Revelation 1:4 the seven Spirits are clearly the Holy Spirit of God (Revelation 3:1), and blaze like torches (Revelation 4:5), like the eyes of Christ (Revelation 1:14). The Holy Spirit is both Spirit of God and of Christ (Romans 8:9).
Sent forth (apestalmenoi). Perfect passive predicate participle of apostellw, masculine plural (agreeing with oi and ofqalmouv in gender), but some MSS. have apestalmena agreeing with the nearer pneumata.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
1 Peter 1:19
1 John 3:12
Revelation 1:4
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 5:12
Revelation 6:4
Revelation 6:9
Revelation 7:17
Revelation 12:11
Revelation 13:3
Revelation 13:8
Revelation 14:1
Revelation 22:17
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