Translation
Surrounding the throne
Go to footnote numberwere twenty-four thrones
and on those thrones
twenty-four elders
Go to footnote numberwere sitting,
who were
clothed in white garments and
on their heads were golden crowns.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
Associated with that authority were representatives of all possible types of authority, exercised by all the possible types of leaders that might exist and their authority was used in all possible ways. These leaders were characterized by moral purity and the honor they had earned was pure and uncorrupted.
Footnotes
1: “surrounding the throne”
The authority exercised by these who will now be introduced did not stand alone, or operate on its own. Their authority was tied to, and subject to, the authority of God. In fact their authority was not truly their own, it came from God. These leaders did utilize their authority, but they did so on behalf of God the supreme authority, not for themselves.
2
The number 24 was not a common symbol, but it was understood well enough, and, like 12, meant “all.” Just like the use of 3 animals and a man represent all types of living creatures, so here all types of leaders are represented. A theme that emerges in Revelation is that all creation, all people groups, all of everything will be represented among those that worship God. That is why they are depicted as pure, honorable and uncorrupted. The fact that representatives from all types of authority figures serve God and draw their authority from Him goes to prove how truly powerful He is.
3: Crowns
There were two Greek words for “crown.” One indicated a wreath of branches awarded for victory in the Olympic games, or in battle, the other was a metal band worn by kings as we generally picture a crown. A crown always indicated honor of some kind. The word used here is that of a “victor’s crown.” The two words for “crown” seem to overlap a bit in meaning, and we are not sure how strictly the Greek writers of the first century held to any distinction between them. It appears that the intent here is to convey the idea that they acquired their authority for having persevered and come out victorious. Therefore this is the victor’s crown not a king’s crown.