Revelation 22:9

But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — The angel speaks to John immediately after John falls down to worship him at his feet. The angel interrupts the act to redirect John's reverence solely to God.

The words — σύνδουλος (sundoulos) translates literally as "fellow servant," establishing shared subservience to God rather than hierarchical authority. ὅρα μὴ (hora mē) functions as a strong prohibition, commanding John to stop the intended action.

The thread — This refusal of worship parallels the angel's identical response in Revelation 19:10 and warns against angel veneration as noted in Colossians 2:18. The command to worship God alone aligns with the proclamation in Revelation 14:7.

Why it lands — It demands immediate cessation of misplaced reverence and forces a direct reorientation of worship toward God alone. It requires the reader to recognize created intermediaries as peers in service, not objects of devotion.

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

Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Cross-references

Revelation 19:10 So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
Revelation 14:7 And he said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.”
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Revelation 4:10 the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
Exodus 34:14 For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 4:19 When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
Psalms 45:11 and the king will desire your beauty; bow to him, for he is your lord.
John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
Revelation 9:20 Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.