The questions proposed by one of the elders to John, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? taken in connection with John's answer, Sir, thou knowest, implying that he did not know, would seem to be devoid of all point, if they had reference to the whole of the great multitude now before him. For John did know who they were, and from whence they came; inasmuch as he had just said that they were people, redeemed, of course, out of all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues; and John could have answered, These are the redeemed ones from all the nations of the earth. But if a special company in this vast throng were referred to, distinguished by some special mark or position, then it might not be so evident who they were, and what had given them their peculiarity; and the questions as applied to them would be appropriate and pertinent.