His eyes are a flame of fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has names written and a name written which no one knows but he himself.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 12. Flame, and so forth Which shews his indignation.—Diadems; the mark of power. So Ptolemy, the king of Egypt, after he had entered Antiochia, took two crowns, to signify that he was king of two countries, Syria and Egypt. Pastorini.—Which (name) no man knoweth but himself. Some interpreters think Saint John alludes to an ancient custom which still obtains among the Orientals, of having a secret name, which they discover to no one. Calmet.—Pastorini understands this to be the name of the word of God, as mentioned in the subsequent verse; which is so comprehensive in its meaning, that human reason cannot fathom it, and no man knoweth but himself.