Eyes … like a flame of fire: this describes his eyes as shining like fire (see 1.14; 2.18).

Diadems: see 12.3; 13.1.

A name inscribed: the text does not say where the name was written; presumably it was on his forehead. Nor is there any intimation as to who wrote it; it is a way of saying that he had a name on him. In certain languages it will be necessary to translate “He had a name written on his body,” and in other languages “They (unknown subjects or agents) had written a name on him (or, his body).”

No one knows but himself: see 2.17.

In verses 12-13, 15-16 Revised Standard Version uses the present tense of the verbs (following the Greek), whereas Good News Translation continues using the past tense, which is more suitable for the narrative (see 13.12).

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• His eyes shone (or, blazed) like fire, and on his head he had (or, wore) many crowns (or, chiefs’ hats). They had written a name on his body, but only he knows what it is.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .