His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
Identifying Him with the Son of man (Revelation 1:14).
Many crowns - `diadems:' not merely х stefanoi (G4735)] garlands of victory, but crowns, as KING OF KINGS. Christ's diadem comprises all diadems of the earth and of heavenly powers. Contrast the papal tiara of three diadems. Compare also the little horn (Antichrist) that overcomes the three horns or kingdoms, Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:24 (the Papacy? which, as a temporal kingdom, was made up of three kingdoms-the exarchate of Ravenna, the kingdom of the Lombards, and the state of Rome, obtained by Pope Zachary and Stephen II. from Pepin, the usurper of France). Also, the seven crowns (diadems) on the seven heads of the dragon (Revelation 12:3), and ten diadems on the ten heads of the beast. These usurpers claim the diadems belonging to Christ.
He had a name written. B, Syriac, insert, 'He had names written, and a name written,' etc. The names of the dominion which each diadem indicated were written on them severally. But 'Aleph (') A, Vulgate, Origen, Cyprian, omit.
That no man knew but he himself - (Judges 13:18; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11; 1 John 3:2.) The same is said of the "new name" of believers, Revelation 2:17. In all respects the disciple is like his Lord. The Lord's "new name" is to be theirs, "in their foreheads" (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4); therefore His as yet unknown name also is written on His forehead: as the high priest had "Holiness to the Lord" inscribed on the mitre on his brow. John saw it as "written," but knew not its meaning. A name which, in all its glorious significancy, can be only understood when the union of His saints with Him, and their joint triumph and reign, shall be perfectly manifested.