{They overcame him} (autoi enik(8873)an). First aorist active
indicative of
ika(935c), the verb used by Jesus of his own victory
( Joh 16:33 ) and about him ( Re 3:21 5:5 ). "The victory of the
martyrs marks the failure of Satan's endeavours" (Swete).
{Because of the blood of the Lamb} (dia to haima tou arniou).
As in 1:5 5:6,9 7:14 . The blood of Christ is here presented
by dia as the ground for the victory and not the means, as by
en in 1:5 5:9 . Both ideas are true, but dia with the
accusative gives only the reason. The blood of Christ does
cleanse us from sin ( Joh 1:29 1Jo 1:7 ). Christ conquered
Satan, and so makes our victory possible ( Lu 11:21f. Heb
2:18 ). "Thus the Lamb is the true sun(8867)oros (like Michael) of
the New Israel, its parakl(8874)os pros ton patera ( 1Jo 2:1 )"
(Swete). {Because of the Word of their testimony} (dia ton logon
t(8873) marturias aut(936e)). The same use of dia, "because of their
testimony to Jesus" as in John's own case in 1:9 . These martyrs
have been true to their part. {They loved not their life even
unto death} (ouk (8867)ap(8873)an ten psuch(886e) aut(936e) achri thanatou).
First aorist active indicative of agapa(935c). They did resist "unto
blood" (mechris haimatos Heb 12:4 ) and did not put their own
lives before loyalty to Christ. There is a direct reference to
the words of Jesus in Joh 12:25 as illustrated also in Mr
8:35 Mt 10:39 16:25 Lu 9:24 17:33 . Paul's own example is
pertinent ( Ac 21:13 Php 1:20ff. ). Jesus himself had been
"obedient unto death" ( Php 2:8 ). These martyrs seem to be still
alive on earth, but their heroism is proleptically pictured.
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