And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

REVELATION 19:10KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 19:10 (KJV)

What does Revelation 19:10 mean?

Revelation 19:10 describes John falling at the feet of an angel to worship him, but the angel stops him, saying he is only a fellow servant and that only God should be worshiped. The angel explains that the testimony about Jesus is the very spirit or heart of prophecy.

In this scene, John is so overwhelmed by what he has seen and heard that he tries to worship the angel speaking to him. The angel corrects John, making it clear that worship is reserved for God alone, not for angels or any created being. The angel also points out that the message about Jesus—the "testimony of Jesus"—is what truly inspires and gives life to prophecy.

The Greek behind Revelation 19:10

  • προσκυνέω (proskuneō, "worship"): This Greek word means to bow down or show reverence, often used for acts of worship. The angel's refusal of this act highlights that such deep reverence belongs only to God.
  • συσύνδουλος (syndoulos, "fellowservant"): The angel calls himself a "fellow servant," putting himself on the same level as John and other believers, not above them.
  • μαρτυρία (martyria, "testimony"): This word means witness or testimony. Here, it refers to the message about Jesus, showing that genuine prophecy centers on Him.
  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, "spirit"): The Greek here carries the sense of the driving force or essence. The angel is saying that the core or spirit of all prophecy is to point to Jesus.

Why Revelation 19:10 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that angels or other spiritual beings should be worshiped; it draws a firm line that worship is for God alone.
  • It emphasizes that true prophecy is not about predicting the future for its own sake, but about bearing witness to Jesus.
  • The verse connects the visions and messages in Revelation to the larger purpose of all biblical prophecy: to reveal Jesus and God's plan through Him.

Where else these words appear

“fellowservant” Greek G4889 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
  • Matthew 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
  • Colossians 4:7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:

“prophecy” Greek G4394 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
  • 1 Corinthians 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
  • Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

“testimony” Greek G3141 · used in 33 verses

  • Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
  • John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
  • 1 John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

“at” Greek G1715 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest.
  • John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.