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I like to frequently cross reference different translations of the Bible (usually Douay-Rheims, KJV, NIV, NASB). I’ve noticed that the older versions (KJV, Douay Rhiems) of the Revelation 7:14 translates as follows:
Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they,
and where did they come from?”I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb. (emphasis added)
Whereas the newer versions (NIV, NASB) translates this passage:
Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they,
and where did they come from?”I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the
blood of the Lamb. (emphasis added)
It seems to me that this tiny little “the” makes a huge difference in the theological understanding of end times eschatology- especially for those who have a “premillenial” worldview.
What is the reason for this difference in translation?
Troy Day
LETS discuss this today with our @followers SEEMS like an interesting notion to begin with Philip Williams John Mushenhouse Terry Wiles Jose Salinas Jared Cheshire Jerome Herrick Weymouth
Troy Day
Definite vs. Indefinite Article: Older translations like the KJV and Douay-Rheims say “out of great tribulation” (no article), while newer ones like NIV and NASB say “out of the great tribulation.” That tiny word “the” shifts interpretation from a general experience of suffering to a specific, eschatological event.
Greek Text: The original Greek phrase is ἐκ τῆς θλίψεως τῆς μεγάλης (ek tēs thlipseōs tēs megalēs), which literally includes the definite article “the.” This is why modern translations tend to render it as “the great tribulation.”
⏳ Eschatological Impact
Premillennialism: For premillennial interpreters, “the great tribulation” refers to a distinct, future period of intense suffering before Christ’s return. The presence of “the” strengthens this view.
General Suffering View: Without “the,” the passage can be read as describing believers throughout history enduring trials, not just a single apocalyptic event.
🔍 Historical Context
Douay-Rheims (1609–1610): Based on the Latin Vulgate, which sometimes omits articles found in Greek, leading to differences in English phrasing.
KJV (1611): Similarly reflects translation choices influenced by the linguistic style of the time, often minimizing definite articles compared to modern English usage.
✨ Theological Implications
Identity of the White-Robed Saints: Regardless of translation, the passage emphasizes that these saints have “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb,” symbolizing redemption and purity.
Interpretive Divide: This small translation difference has fueled centuries of debate between those who see Revelation as describing ongoing spiritual realities versus those who see it as a roadmap of future events.
Jared Cheshire
Troy Day calling the NASB, or NIV category of translations new and KJV and Douay-Rheims older is misleading. Without considering what they translated.. The MGNT manuscripts were mostly Greek manuscripts in the third and fourth century whereas the Textus Receptus was compiled and translated back into Greek around 1,300. Therefore the base of the KJV and the Douay-Rheims are “new” by approximately a thousand years. Not to mention when you get into the Old Testament and the difference between the masoretic and the much older manuscripts. Wow there is not much as age difference only about 700 years between the LXX and the masoretic, the much older fragments found in the Qumran validate The LXX over the masoretic.
So I find it quite ironic when English translations are labeled as new based on a couple of hundred years difference when they translated the older text with a thousand years difference.
Troy Day
Jared Cheshire well IT IS true is pretty Douay-Rheims older
comparing to 20th century NASB, or NIV As to the age between TR and NA sources I am sorry but I do NOT believe you are qualified to attest to their age. Paleography is a vast field. I have only scratched the surface…
Will Jenkins
Please stop tagging everyone.
Roy Gwetsani
Will Jenkins why tagging people who are not your friends
Will Jenkins
Roy Gwetsani no. Because it’s not necessary. Make the post and let people interact naturally.
Troy Day
Roy Gwetsani actually on FB one can tag ONLY followers
if I dont know you pls de-follow so you dont get tagged
We cannot change FB algorithms BUT we can change
having only theologians and ministers on this discourse
if you are not one such pls leave in piece and Fairwell !!