Revelation 22:18

I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — A first-person voice ("I testify") addresses every hearer of the book's prophetic words at its very close, bracketed by the invitation of v. 17 and the parallel warning against subtraction in v. 19.

The words — Μαρτυρῶ (Marturō) is a legal term for bearing witness, not merely "I say," framing the warning as a formal attestation rather than a casual remark.

The thread — The same prohibition against adding to or subtracting from divine words appears in Deuteronomy 12:32, Deuteronomy 4:2, and Proverbs 30:6.

Why it lands — It tells the reader the book is finished and not to be supplemented; the text stands as a closed unit.

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

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 12:32 See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
Deuteronomy 4:2 You must not add to or subtract from what I command you, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.
Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
Matthew 15:6 he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Leviticus 26:18 And if after all this you will not obey Me, I will proceed to punish you sevenfold for your sins.
Leviticus 26:24 then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins.
Leviticus 26:28 then I will walk in fury against you, and I, even I, will punish you sevenfold for your sins.
Matthew 15:13 But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.