His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

REVELATION 1:14KJV
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Revelation 1:14 (KJV)

What does Revelation 1:14 mean?

Revelation 1:14 describes the appearance of Jesus in a vision given to John, saying his head and hair were white like wool or snow, and his eyes were like a flame of fire. This language paints a picture of purity, wisdom, and penetrating insight.

John, the author of Revelation, is writing down what he sees while exiled on the island of Patmos. He is addressing early Christian churches, sharing a vision of the risen Jesus. The description uses vivid, symbolic imagery to communicate Jesus’s divine qualities—his wisdom (white hair) and his ability to see and judge all things (eyes like fire).

The Greek behind Revelation 1:14

  • "White" (λευκὸν, leukon): This word is used twice in the verse and often carries the sense of brightness, purity, or radiance. It emphasizes the absolute purity and holiness being described.
  • "Wool" (ἔριον, erion): The comparison to wool, especially in its clean, white state, highlights both age (wisdom) and purity.
  • "Flame" (φλὸξ, phlox) and "fire" (πυρός, puros): The image of eyes like a flame of fire suggests intensity, the ability to see through all things, and a sense of judgment or passionate presence.

Why Revelation 1:14 matters

  • The verse clears up that the vision is not a literal portrait but a symbolic description meant to communicate Jesus’s divine attributes, not his physical appearance.
  • The emphasis on white hair and fiery eyes connects Jesus to Old Testament images of God’s wisdom and judgment, especially in books like Daniel.
  • Understanding this verse helps readers see that the book of Revelation often uses vivid symbols to reveal deeper truths about Jesus’s character and authority.

Where else these words appear

“wool” Greek G2053 · used in 2 verses

  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

“snow” Greek G5510 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
  • Mark 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

“flame” Greek G5395 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
  • Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;

“hairs” Greek G2359 · used in 14 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.
  • Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
  • John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)