And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

REVELATION 6:15KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 6:15 (KJV)

What does Revelation 6:15 mean?

Revelation 6:15 describes how people from every level of society—kings, powerful leaders, the wealthy, military commanders, strong individuals, slaves, and free people—all try to hide themselves in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. This happens as a reaction to a terrifying event that makes everyone, regardless of status, desperate to escape.

In this part of the book, John is describing a vision where the sixth seal is opened, unleashing cosmic disturbances and fear on earth. The verse emphasizes that no one is exempt from the coming judgment or upheaval; even those with power or wealth are just as afraid and vulnerable as everyone else. The scene is meant to show the universal impact of what is happening, highlighting the totality and seriousness of the situation.

The Greek behind Revelation 6:15

  • βασιλεῖς (basileis, "kings"): This word points to rulers or those with political power. The verse makes clear that even the highest authorities cannot escape what is coming.
  • πλούσιοι (plousioi, "rich men"): This refers to people with wealth. Their resources offer no protection in this moment, underlining the limits of material security.
  • δούλος (doulos, "bondman" or "slave") and ἐλεύθερος (eleutheros, "free man"): These terms cover the lowest and highest social positions, showing that the event affects absolutely everyone, regardless of their social status.
  • ἔκρυψαν (ekrypsan, "hid"): This verb describes a deliberate action to hide themselves, not just being caught off guard but actively seeking shelter out of fear.

Why Revelation 6:15 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that power, wealth, or social standing can offer protection from ultimate judgment or disaster; it stresses the equality of all people in the face of such events.
  • Revelation 6:15 connects to the wider passage by showing the universal fear and helplessness triggered by the opening of the sixth seal, setting the stage for the seriousness of the coming judgment.
  • The verse helps readers see the dramatic shift from earthly confidence to utter fear, highlighting the overwhelming nature of what John is describing in his vision.

Where else these words appear

“men” Greek G3175 · used in 3 verses

  • Mark 6:21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
  • Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

“dens” Greek G4693 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  • Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  • John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

“rocks” Greek G4073 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
  • Matthew 27:60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
  • Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

“hid” Greek G2928 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
  • Luke 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.
  • Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.