John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And I John saw these things, and heard them , etc.] He was both an eye and an ear witness; some things he saw, and others he heard; and to render his testimony the more authentic, he puts his name to it; and he being an apostle of Christ, and a man of great sincerity and probity, is to be believed. And when I had heard and seen ; the things related in this book, being amazed at them, and filled with joy on account of many of them, and firmly believing the whole as coming from God: I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things . This is the second time John did so, though warned of it, and rebuked for it, which shows the proneness even of good men to fall into sin again and again; and what a propensity there is in mankind to idolatry; and very likely this might be suffered, that a second reproof might be given, and repeated instructions be on record, to prevent the worshipping of angels, introduced in the first ages of Christianity.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-19 - The Lord Jesus spake by the angel, solemnly confirming the contents of this book, particularly of this last vision. He is the Lord God faithful and true. Also by his messengers; the holy angels showed the to holy men of God. They are things that must shortly be done; Chris will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt. And by the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's interpreter. He refused to accept religious worship from John, and reproved him for offering it. This presents another testimony against idolatrous worshi of saints and angels. God calls every one to witness to the declarations here made. This book, thus kept open, will have effec upon men; the filthy and unjust will be more so, but it will confirm strengthen, and further sanctify those who are upright with God. Neve let us think that a dead or disobedient faith will save us, for the First and the Last has declared that those alone are blessed who do his commandments. It is a book that shuts out form heaven all wicked an unrighteous persons, particularly those who love and make lies therefore cannot itself be a lie. There is no middle place of condition. Jesus, who is the Spirit of prophecy, has given his churche this morning-light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of the perfect day approaching. All is confirmed by an open and genera invitation to mankind, to come and partake freely of the promises an of the privileges of the gospel. The Spirit, by the sacred word, and by convictions and influence in the sinner's conscience, says, Come to Christ for salvation; and the bride, or the whole church, on earth an in heaven, says, Come and share our happiness. Lest any shoul hesitate, it is added, Let whosoever will, or, is willing, come an take of the water of life freely. May every one who hears or read these words, desire at once to accept the gracious invitation. All ar condemned who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, eithe by adding to it, or taking from it.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ εγω 1473 P-1NS ιωαννης 2491 N-NSM ο 3588 T-NSM βλεπων 991 5723 V-PAP-NSM ταυτα 5023 D-APN και 2532 CONJ ακουων 191 5723 V-PAP-NSM και 2532 CONJ οτε 3753 ADV ηκουσα 191 5656 V-AAI-1S και 2532 CONJ εβλεψα 991 5656 V-AAI-1S επεσα 4098 5627 V-2AAI-1S προσκυνησαι 4352 5658 V-AAN εμπροσθεν 1715 PREP των 3588 T-GPM ποδων 4228 N-GPM του 3588 T-GSM αγγελου 32 N-GSM του 3588 T-GSM δεικνυοντος 1166 5723 V-PAP-GSM μοι 3427 P-1DS ταυτα 5023 D-APN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
8. I John saw (egw Iwannhv o blepwn). The A.V. overlooks the article with the participle - the one seeing. Hence Rev., correctly, I John am he that heard and saw.Had heard and seen (hkousa kai ebleya). Aorist tense. There is no need of rendering it as a pluperfect. Rev., rightly, I heard and saw. The appeal to hearing and seeing is common to all John's writings. See John i. 14; xix. 35; xxi. 14; I John i. 1, 2; iv. 14.
