Revelation 6:16

And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The terrified masses of every social class speak directly to the mountains and rocks during the sixth seal judgment. This occurs immediately after they have fled into caves and is followed by the declaration that the great day of God’s wrath has arrived.

The words — The imperative πέσετε (pesete) commands the rocks to "fall" or "do fall" upon the speakers. This follows λέγουσιν (legousin), which identifies the utterance as a present, continuous cry of desperation.

The thread — The text directly parallels the command in Hosea 10:8 and Jesus’ quotation of it in Luke 23:30. It also contrasts with the throne vision in Revelation 4:2, where the One seated on the throne is the source of the wrath being fled.

Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human status and geological cover provide no refuge from divine judgment. It forces the reader to confront that only the Lamb’s mercy, not physical hiding places, can withstand the day of wrath.

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 said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

Cross-references

Luke 23:30 At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
Hosea 10:8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed—it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
Revelation 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.
Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
Matthew 26:64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels
Psalms 14:5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous.
Psalms 110:5 The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath.
Psalms 2:9 You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”
Jeremiah 8:3 And wherever I have banished them, the remnant of this evil family will choose death over life,” declares the LORD of Hosts.