And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

REVELATION 1:13KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 1:13 (KJV)

What does Revelation 1:13 mean?

Revelation 1:13 describes a figure "like unto the Son of man" standing among seven candlesticks, dressed in a long robe reaching to his feet and wearing a golden sash around his chest. This vision presents a majestic and authoritative person, closely connected to the seven candlesticks, which are explained later as representing seven churches.

In this opening scene of John's vision, John is writing to early Christian communities in Asia Minor. He sees this striking figure in the middle of the lampstands, signaling presence and care among the churches. The description echoes Old Testament imagery of both a heavenly figure and a high priest, setting a tone of awe and significance for the rest of the book.

The Greek behind Revelation 1:13

  • "Son of man" (υἱὸς ἀνθρώπου, huios anthrōpou): This phrase is often understood as a Messianic title, drawing from Daniel 7:13, and points to a figure with both human and divine qualities. Its use here connects Jesus to Old Testament prophecy.
  • "Girt about the paps with a golden girdle" (περιεζωσμένον πρὸς τοῖς μαστοῖς ζώνην χρυσᾶν, periezōsmenon pros tois mastois zōnēn chrysan): The word for "paps" (μαστοῖς, mastois) refers to the chest, and the "golden girdle" (ζώνην χρυσᾶν, zōnēn chrysan) is a sash or belt. This detail often suggests priestly or royal dignity, highlighting the figure’s authority and purity.

Why Revelation 1:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the central figure in Revelation is not distant but present among the churches, offering comfort and accountability to the early Christians facing hardship.
  • The imagery links Jesus to both prophetic and priestly roles, helping readers understand his unique position in Christian belief as both mediator and ruler.
  • By echoing Old Testament visions, the verse connects the story of Jesus to the larger biblical narrative, showing continuity between the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament.

Where else these words appear

“paps” Greek G3149 · used in 3 verses

  • Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
  • Luke 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

“girt” Greek G4024 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
  • Luke 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

“girdle” Greek G2223 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Mark 1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
  • Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

“candlesticks” Greek G3087 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  • Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.