And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
They sat - the twelve apostles, and the saints in general.
Judgment was given unto them (note, Daniel 7:22) - the office of judging, (2 Corinthians 5:1-21.) Though having to stand before the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10), yet they 'do not come into judgment (condemnation) but have already passed from death unto life' (John 5:24).
Souls. This term is made a plea for denying the literal first resurrection, as if the life and reign of souls were raised in this life from the death of sin by vivifying faith. But "souls" expresses their disembodied state (cf. Revelation 6:9) at first; "and they lived" implies their coming to life in the body again, so as to be seen by John, as Revelation 20:5, "This is the first resurrection," proves: for as "the rest of the dead lived not (again) until," etc., must refer to the bodily general resurrection so must the first resurrection refer to the body. If the first resurrection be not corporeal, then the saints do not rise at all; for they do not rise with "the rest of the dead." This also accords with 1 Corinthians 15:23. Compare Psalms 49:11-15. "Souls" is in counting used for persons dead." This also accords with 1 Corinthians 15:23. Compare Psalms 49:11-15. "Souls" is in counting used for persons (Acts 27:37; 1 Peter 3:20: cf. Septuagint; Leviticus 22:4): 'a dead body.'
Beheaded, х pepelekismenoon (G3990)] - 'smitten with an axe:' a Roman punishment, though crucifixion, casting to beasts, and burning, were the common modes. The guillotine, in revolutionary France, still continued in imperial France, is a revival of the capital punishment of imperial Rome. Paul was beheaded, and shall share the first resurrection, in accordance with his prayer that he 'might attain unto the resurrection from out of the rest of the dead' х exanastasis (G1815)] (Philippians 3:11).
For ... for, х dia (G1223)] - 'on account of.'
And which - `and the which:' and prominent among this class (the beheaded), such as did not worship the beast, etc. So Revelation 1:7. The extent of the first resurrection is not spoken of here. In 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:14, we find, all "in Christ" shall share in it. John himself was not "beheaded;" yet who doubts he shall share in it? The martyrs are put first, because most like Jesus in suffering and death, therefore nearest Him in life and reign; for Christ implies there are relative degrees and places of honour in His kingdom, the highest being for those who drink His cup of suffering (Matthew 20:22-23; Luke 22:28-30). Next, those who have not bowed to the world-power, but looked to the things unseen and eternal.
Neither - `not yet.'
Foreheads ... hands - `forehead ... hand.'
Reigned with Christ - over the earth.