{I went} (ap(886c)tha). Second aorist active indicative (-a
form), "I went away" (ap-) to the angel. John left his position
by the door of heaven ( 4:1 ). {That he should give} (dounai).
Second aorist active infinitive of did(936d)i, indirect command
after leg(936e) (bidding) for dos in the direct discourse (second
aorist active imperative second person singular). This use of
leg(935c) to bid occurs in 13:14 Ac 21:21 . {He saith} (legei).
Dramatic vivid present active indicative of leg(935c). {Take it and
eat it up} (labe kai kataphage auto). Second aorist (effective)
active imperatives of lamban(935c) and katesthi(935c) (perfective use
of kata, "eat down," we say "eat up"). See the same metaphor in
Eze 3:1-3 Jer 15:6f . The book was already open and was not to
be read aloud, but to be digested mentally by John. {It shall
make thy belly bitter} (pikranei sou t(886e) koilian). Future
active of pikrain(935c), for which verb see 8:11 10:10 Col 3:19 .
There is no reference in Ezekiel or Jeremiah to the bitterness
here mentioned. {Sweet as honey} (gluku h(9373) meli). For the
sweetness of the roll see Ps 19:10f. 119:103 . "Every
revelation of God's purposes, even though a mere fragment, a
iblaridion, is 'bitter-sweet,' disclosing judgement as well as
mercy" (Swete). Deep and bitter sorrows confront John as he comes
to understand God's will and way.
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