Revelation 14:4

These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — John records a vision of the 144,000 standing before the throne immediately after they sing a new song. The passage identifies their spiritual condition and their direct association with the Lamb.

The words — The text uses ἐμολύνθησαν (emolunthēsan), literally "was defiled," and παρθένοι (parthenoi), literally "pure" or "virgins," to describe their untainted state. These terms establish a literal or symbolic boundary of separation before God.

The thread — The imagery of purity and firstfruits connects to Paul’s description of the church as a pure virgin promised to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2) and to believers marked as firstfruits of creation (James 1:18). Revelation 3:4 similarly links unsoiled garments with blameless walking.

Why it lands — The text demands a reader to recognize that access to God's presence requires a state of separation from defilement and total allegiance to the Lamb. It calls for a life marked by redeemed purpose rather than worldly compromise.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Cross-references

2 Corinthians 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Revelation 3:4 But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
John 10:27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
John 12:26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, My servant will be as well. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
1 Corinthians 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
Revelation 7:15 For this reason, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.
Psalms 74:2 Remember Your congregation, which You purchased long ago and redeemed as the tribe of Your inheritance—Mount Zion, where You dwell.
Revelation 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”