The Implied Pronoun and Expressed Referent

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 15 views

Introduction

The book of Revelation is a rich and complex text that has been the subject of much interpretation and debate throughout history. One of the key challenges in understanding Revelation is the translation of its Greek text, particularly in passages where the grammar and syntax are complex. In this article, we will examine the translation of Revelation 11:15, focusing on the implied pronoun and expressed referent, and explore the implications of different translations for our understanding of the text.

The Greek Text of Revelation 11:15

The Greek text of Revelation 11:15 reads:

Καὶ ὁ ἕβδομος ἄγγελος ἐσάλπισεν· καὶ ἐγένοντο φωναὶ μεγάλαι ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, λέγοντες Ἐγένετο ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ κόσμου τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ τοῦ χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ,...

This text can be translated as:

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there came to be great voices in the heaven, saying, 'It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of our Lord and of his Christ...'"

The Implied Pronoun and Expressed Referent

In this passage, the implied pronoun is "our Lord" (κύριος ἡμῶν), and the expressed referent is "Christ" (χριστοῦ). The question is, who is the implied pronoun referring to? Is it the Father, the Son, or both?

Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] Translation

The Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] translation of Revelation 11:15 reads:

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there came to be great voices in the heaven, saying, 'It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of our Lord and of his Christ...'"

In this translation, the implied pronoun "our Lord" is referring to the Father, and the expressed referent "Christ" is referring to the Son.

Alternative Translations

However, some scholars have suggested alternative translations that change the implied pronoun and expressed referent. For example:

"It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of the Lord and of his Christ" (where the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ)
"It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of the Christ and of his Lord" (where the implied pronoun is Christ, and the expressed referent is the Lord)

Implications for Christology and Eschatology

The translation of Revelation 11:15 has significant implications for our understanding of Christology and Eschatology. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the translation of Revelation 11:15 is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the Greek text and its implications for Christology and Eschatology. While the Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] translation is widely accepted, alternative translations offer a different perspective on the relationship between the Father and the Son. Ultimately, the correct translation will depend on a careful analysis of the Greek text and its context.

Recommendations for Further Study

For those interested in further study of the translation of Revelation 11:15, we recommend the following:

Greek Grammar: A thorough understanding of Greek grammar and syntax is essential for understanding the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Blass-Debrunner-Funk and Robertson.
Christology and Eschatology: A deep understanding of Christology and Eschatology is also essential for understanding the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Origen, Augustine, and Calvin.
Greek Textual Criticism: A thorough understanding of Greek textual criticism is also essential for understanding the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Westcott and Hort, and the NA27 variants.

References

Blass, F., Debrunner, A., & Funk, R. (1961). A Greek Grammar of the New Testament. University of Chicago Press.
Robertson, A. T. (1923). A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. T&T Clark.
Origen. (1857). Commentary on the Gospel of John. Oxford University Press.
Augustine. (1887). On the Trinity. Oxford University Press.
Calvin, J. (1559). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster John Knox Press.
Westcott, B. F., & Hort, F. J. A. (1881). The New Testament in the Original Greek. Macmillan.
NA27. (1975). Novum Testamentum Graece. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.
Q&A: Understanding the Translation of Revelation 11:15 =====================================================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the translation of Revelation 11:15? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 is significant because it affects our understanding of Christology and Eschatology. The correct translation will depend on a careful analysis of the Greek text and its context.

Q: Who is the implied pronoun "our Lord" referring to in Revelation 11:15? A: The implied pronoun "our Lord" is referring to the Father in the Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] translation. However, some scholars have suggested alternative translations where the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ.

Q: What are the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15 for Christology? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 has significant implications for Christology. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Q: What are the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15 for Eschatology? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 also has significant implications for Eschatology. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Q: What are the different translations of Revelation 11:15? A: There are several different translations of Revelation 11:15, including:

"It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of our Lord and of his Christ" (Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] translation)
"It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of the Lord and of his Christ" (alternative translation)
"It has come to pass the kingdom of the world of the Christ and of his Lord" (alternative translation)

Q: What is the best way to understand the translation of Revelation 11:15? A: The best way to understand the translation of Revelation 11:15 is to carefully analyze the Greek text and its context. This will involve studying the works of scholars such as Blass-Debrunner-Funk and Robertson, as well as the Greek text itself.

Q: What are the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15 for the Trinity? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 has significant implications for the Trinity. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Q: What are the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15 for the kingdom of God? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 also has significant implications for the kingdom of God. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Q: What are the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15 for the church? A: The translation of Revelation 11:15 has significant implications for the church. If the implied pronoun is the Father, and the expressed referent is the Son, then this passage suggests a clear distinction between the two persons of the Trinity. However, if the implied pronoun is the Lord, and the expressed referent is Christ, then this passage suggests a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the translation of Revelation 11:15 is a complex issue that requires careful consideration of the Greek text and its implications for Christology and Eschatology. By understanding the different translations and their implications, we can gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between the Father and the Son, and the nature of the kingdom of God.

Recommendations for Further Study

For those interested in further study of the translation of Revelation 11:15, we recommend the following:

Greek Grammar: A thorough understanding of Greek grammar and syntax is essential for understanding the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Blass-Debrunner-Funk and Robertson.
Christology and Eschatology: A deep understanding of Christology and Eschatology is also essential for understanding the implications of the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Origen, Augustine, and Calvin.
Greek Textual Criticism: A thorough understanding of Greek textual criticism is also essential for understanding the translation of Revelation 11:15. We recommend studying the works of scholars such as Westcott and Hort, and the NA27 variants.

References

Blass, F., Debrunner, A., & Funk, R. (1961). A Greek Grammar of the New Testament. University of Chicago Press.
Robertson, A. T. (1923). A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research. T&T Clark.
Origen. (1857). Commentary on the Gospel of John. Oxford University Press.
Augustine. (1887). On the Trinity. Oxford University Press.
Calvin, J. (1559). Institutes of the Christian Religion. Westminster John Knox Press.
Westcott, B. F., & Hort, F. J. A. (1881). The New Testament in the Original Greek. Macmillan.
NA27. (1975). Novum Testamentum Graece. Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.