Revelation 6:10

And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — The souls of those slain for the word of God and their testimony, positioned under the altar, address the Lord directly as the Lamb opens the fifth seal.

The words — ἕως (heōs, "until") and πότε (pote, "when") together form the temporal question "how long," framing the cry not as a request for new action but as a demand for a deadline.

The thread — Psalm 9:12 names God as the Avenger of bloodshed who does not ignore the cry; Revelation 11:18 confirms the time has come to judge the dead; Revelation 19:2 declares His judgments true and just.

Why it lands — The verse forces the reader to hold the open question: the cry is heard, the answer is "rest a little longer" (v. 11), and the gap between them is where the text leaves you.

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

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Cross-references

Revelation 19:2 For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.”
Psalms 9:12 For the Avenger of bloodshed remembers; He does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.
Revelation 11:18 The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
Luke 18:7 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them?
Romans 12:19 Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
2 Thessalonians 1:6 After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
Revelation 16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say: “Righteous are You, O Holy One, who is and was, because You have brought these judgments.
Luke 21:22 For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
Revelation 3:7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
Zechariah 1:12 Then the angel of the LORD said, “How long, O LORD of Hosts, will You withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with which You have been angry these seventy years?”