Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Under the altar (upokatw tou qusiasthriou). "Under" (upokatw), for the blood of the sacrifices was poured at the bottom of the altar (Leviticus 4:7). The altar of sacrifice (Exodus 39:39; Exodus 40:29), not of incense. The imagery, as in Hebrews, is from the tabernacle. For the word see Matthew 5:23 f., often in Rev. (Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:7). This altar in heaven is symbolic, of course, the antitype for the tabernacle altar (Hebrews 8:5). The Lamb was slain (Revelation 5:6, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 5:12) and these martyrs have followed the example of their Lord.
The souls (tav yuxav). The lives, for the life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), were given for Christ (Philippians 2:17; 2 Timothy 4:6).
Of the slain (twn esfagmenwn). See Revelation 5:6. Christians were slain during the Neronian persecution and now again under Domitian. A long line of martyrs has followed.
For the word of God (dia ton logon tou qeou). As in Revelation 1:9, the confession of loyalty to Christ as opposed to emperor-worship.
And for the testimony which they held (kai dia thn marturian hn eixon). See also Revelation 1:9. Probably kai equals "even" here, explaining the preceding. The imperfect tense eixon suits the repetition of the witness to Christ and the consequent death.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Revelation 1:2
Revelation 5:1
Revelation 5:4
Revelation 5:6
Revelation 6:1
Revelation 7:15
Revelation 8:3
Revelation 12:17
Revelation 14:18
Revelation 19:10
Revelation 20:4
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