What does Revelation 5:4 mean?

In prior verses, an angel had asked who was worthy to open a scroll containing judgments from God (Revelation 5:2). This resulted, initially, in no response: there was no one with the moral or legal authority to do so.

In response to the unavailability of someone to open the scroll or to look into it, John wept. Perhaps he thought sin on earth would never be judged and come to an end. The construction of the Greek word for "wept" indicates that John kept on weeping. John's weeping resembles Jesus' weeping at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35). Witnesses to the event believed Jesus' tears were a sign of His love for Lazarus; and it might have been, but likely it was also a sign of His sadness about sin's devastating effect on the human race. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death," and Hebrews 9:27 assures us "it is appointed for man to die once."

John was helpless to put an end to sin, but Jesus made it possible by His death to rescue us from sin, and someday He will put an end to sin (Revelation 20:11–15). The following verses will explain that there is One—and only One—who can open these seals.