John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. And the first beast [was] like a lion , etc.] And this figure expresses the strength of the ministers of the word, the lion being the strongest among beasts, ( Proverbs 30:30), to do the work they are called to, to endure hardness, as good soldiers of Christ, and to bear the infirmities of the weak; and also it denotes their courage and boldness in preaching the Gospel of Christ, without fearing the faces of men, or of being afraid of their revilings: and the second beast like a calf ; or ox, for so the word here used signifies in the Hellenistic language, and with the Septuagint interpreters, and agrees with ( Ezekiel 1:10), and designs the laboriousness of Christ's faithful ministers in treading out the corn of Gospel truth, who labour in the word and doctrine, and are labourers with God; as also their humility, meekness, and patience in bearing insults, reproaches, and sufferings for Christ, and instructing those that oppose themselves: and the third beast had a face as a man ; and points at the humanity and tender heartedness, the wisdom, prudence, knowledge, and understanding, and the use of the reasoning faculty, together with a manly spirit in abiding by the Gospel at any rate; all which are so necessary in the ministers of the word. And the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle ; which sets forth the sagacity and penetration of Gospel ministers into the deep things of God, and mysteries of grace, and their readiness and swiftness to do the will of God, in publishing the everlasting Gospel; (see Revelation 14:6).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - After the Lord Jesus had instructed the apostle to write to the churches "the things that are," there was another vision. The apostl saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of Jehovah. He saw a glorious One upon the throne, not described by huma features, so as to be represented by a likeness or image, but only by his surpassing brightness. These seem emblems of the excellence of the Divine nature, and of God's awful justice. The rainbow is a fit emble of that covenant of promise which God has made with Christ, as the Hea of the church, and with all his people in him. The prevailing colou was a pleasant green, showing the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant. Four-and-twenty seats around the throne, were filled with four-and-twenty elders, representing, probably, the whole church of God. Their sitting denotes honour, rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies nearness to God, the sight an enjoyment they have of him. They were clothed in white raiment; the imputed righteousness of the saints and their holiness: they had of their heads crowns of gold, signifying the glory they have with him Lightnings and voices came from the throne; the awful declarations God makes to his church, of his sovereign will and pleasure. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne; the gifts, graces, and operation of the Spirit of God in the churches of Christ, dispensed according to the will and pleasure of Him who sits upon the throne. In the gospe church, the laver for purification is the blood of the Lord Jesu Christ, which cleanses from all sin. In this all must be washed, to be admitted into the gracious presence of God on earth, and his glorious presence in heaven. The apostle saw four living creatures, between the throne and the circle of the elders, standing between God and the people. These seem to signify the true ministers of the gospel, becaus of their place between God and the people. This also is shown by the description given, denoting wisdom, courage, diligence, and discretion and the affections by which they mount up toward heaven.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN ζωον 2226 N-NSN το 3588 T-NSN πρωτον 4413 A-NSN ομοιον 3664 A-NSN λεοντι 3023 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN δευτερον 1208 A-NSN ζωον 2226 N-NSN ομοιον 3664 A-NSN μοσχω 3448 N-DSM και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN τριτον 5154 A-NSN ζωον 2226 N-NSN εχον 2192 5723 V-PAP-NSN το 3588 T-ASN προσωπον 4383 N-ASN ως 5613 ADV ανθρωπος 444 N-NSM και 2532 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN τεταρτον 5067 A-NSN ζωον 2226 N-NSN ομοιον 3664 A-NSN αετω 105 N-DSM πετωμενω 4072 5740 V-PNP-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Lion, calf, man, eagle. From this passage is derived the familiar symbolism of the four Evangelists; Mark seated on a lion, Luke on a steer, Matthew on a man, and John on an eagle. These are varied however. Irenaeus attributes the lion to John, and the eagle to Mark. Augustine the lion to Matthew, the man to Mark.Lion. See on 1 Pet. v. 8.
Calf (moscw). Compare Luke xv. 23. In the Septuagint for an ox or steer. Exod. xxii. 1; Ezek. i. 10.
Eagle (aetw). See on Matt. xxiv. 28.
