1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
1 The Revelation G602 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 which G3739 God G2316 gave G1325 unto him, G846 to shew G1166 unto his G846 servants G1401 things which G3739 must G1163 shortly G1722 G5034 come to pass; G1096 and G2532 he sent G649 and signified G4591 it by G1223 his G846 angel G32 unto his G846 servant G1401 John: G2491
2 Who G3739 bare record G3140 of the word G3056 of God, G2316 and G2532 of the testimony G3141 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G5037 of all things G3745 that he saw. G1492
3 Blessed G3107 is he that readeth, G314 and G2532 they that hear G191 the words G3056 of this prophecy, G4394 and G2532 keep G5083 those things which are written G1125 therein: G1722 G846 for G1063 the time G2540 is at hand. G1451
4 John G2491 to the seven G2033 churches G1577 which G3588 are in G1722 Asia: G773 Grace G5485 be unto you, G5213 and G2532 peace, G1515 from G575 him which G3588 is, G5607 and G2532 which G3588 was, G2258 and G2532 which G3588 is to come; G2064 G3801 and G2532 from G575 the seven G2033 Spirits G4151 which G3739 are G2076 before G1799 his G846 throne; G2362
5 And G2532 from G575 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 who is the faithful G4103 witness, G3144 and the first begotten G4416 of G1537 the dead, G3498 and G2532 the prince G758 of the kings G935 of the earth. G1093 Unto him that loved G25 us, G2248 and G2532 washed G3068 us G2248 from G575 our G2257 sins G266 in G1722 his own G846 blood, G129
6 And G2532 hath made G4160 us G2248 kings G935 and G2532 priests G2409 unto God G2316 and G2532 his G846 Father; G3962 to him G846 be glory G1391 and G2532 dominion G2904 for G1519 ever G165 and ever. G165 Amen. G281
7 Behold, G2400 he cometh G2064 with G3326 clouds; G3507 and G2532 every G3956 eye G3788 shall see G3700 him, G846 and G2532 they also which G3748 pierced G1574 him: G846 and G2532 all G3956 kindreds G5443 of the earth G1093 shall wail G2875 because G1909 of him. G846 Even so, G3483 Amen. G281
8 I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the beginning G746 and G2532 the ending, G5056 saith G3004 the Lord, G2962 which G3588 is, G5607 and G2532 which G3588 was, G2258 and G2532 which G3588 is to come, G2064 G3801 the Almighty. G3841
9 I G1473 John, G2491 who G3588 also G2532 am your G5216 brother, G80 and G2532 companion G4791 in G1722 tribulation, G2347 and G2532 in G1722 the kingdom G932 and G2532 patience G5281 of Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 was G1096 in G1722 the isle G3520 that is called G2564 Patmos, G3963 for G1223 the word G3056 of God, G2316 and G2532 for G1223 the testimony G3141 of Jesus G2424 Christ. G5547
10 I was G1096 in G1722 the Spirit G4151 on G1722 the Lord's G2960 day, G2250 and G2532 heard G191 behind G3694 me G3450 a great G3173 voice, G5456 as G5613 of a trumpet, G4536
11 Saying, G3004 I G1473 am G1510 Alpha G1 and G2532 Omega, G5598 the first G4413 and G2532 the last: G2078 and, G2532 What G3739 thou seest, G991 write G1125 in G1519 a book, G975 and G2532 send G3992 it unto the seven G2033 churches G1577 which G3588 are in G1722 Asia; G773 unto G1519 Ephesus, G2181 and G2532 unto G1519 Smyrna, G4667 and G2532 unto G1519 Pergamos, G4010 and G2532 unto G1519 Thyatira, G2363 and G2532 unto G1519 Sardis, G4554 and G2532 unto G1519 Philadelphia, G5359 and G2532 unto G1519 Laodicea. G2993
12 And G2532 I turned G1994 to see G991 the voice G5456 that G3748 spake G2980 with G3326 me. G1700 And G2532 being turned, G1994 I saw G1492 seven G2033 golden G5552 candlesticks; G3087
13 And G2532 in G1722 the midst G3319 of the seven G2033 candlesticks G3087 one like G3664 unto the Son G5207 of man, G444 clothed with a garment G1746 down to the foot, G4158 and G2532 girt G4024 about G4314 the paps G3149 with a golden G5552 girdle. G2223
14 G1161 His G846 head G2776 and G2532 his hairs G2359 were white G3022 like G5616 wool, G2053 as white G3022 as G5613 snow; G5510 and G2532 his G846 eyes G3788 were as G5613 a flame G5395 of fire; G4442
15 And G2532 his G846 feet G4228 like G3664 unto fine brass, G5474 as G5613 if they burned G4448 in G1722 a furnace; G2575 and G2532 his G846 voice G5456 as G5613 the sound G5456 of many G4183 waters. G5204
16 And G2532 he had G2192 in G1722 his G846 right G1188 hand G5495 seven G2033 stars: G792 and G2532 out of G1537 his G846 mouth G4750 went G1607 a sharp G3691 twoedged G1366 sword: G4501 and G2532 his G846 countenance G3799 was as G5613 the sun G2246 shineth G5316 in G1722 his G846 strength. G1411
17 And G2532 when G3753 I saw G1492 him, G846 I fell G4098 at G4314 his G846 feet G4228 as G5613 dead. G3498 And G2532 he laid G2007 his G846 right G1188 hand G5495 upon G1909 me, G1691 saying G3004 unto me, G3427 Fear G5399 not; G3361 I G1473 am G1510 the first G4413 and G2532 the last: G2078
18 G2532 I am he that liveth, G2198 and G2532 was G1096 dead; G3498 and, G2532 behold, G2400 I am G1510 alive G2198 for G1519 evermore, G165 G165 Amen; G281 and G2532 have G2192 the keys G2807 of hell G86 and G2532 of death. G2288
19 Write G1125 the things which G3739 thou hast seen, G1492 and G2532 the things which G3739 are, G1526 and G2532 the things which G3739 shall G3195 be G1096 hereafter; G3326 G5023
20 The mystery G3466 of the seven G2033 stars G792 which G3739 thou sawest G1492 in G1909 my G3450 right hand, G1188 and G2532 the seven G2033 golden G5552 candlesticks. G3087 The seven G2033 stars G792 are G1526 the angels G32 of the seven G2033 churches: G1577 and G2532 the seven G2033 candlesticks G3087 which G3739 thou sawest G1492 are G1526 the seven G2033 churches. G1577
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, `even' the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified `it' by his angel unto his servant John;
2 who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, `even' of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.
4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;
5 and from Jesus Christ, `who is' the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
6 and he made us `to be' a kingdom, `to be' priests unto his God and Father; to him `be' the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience `which are' in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
11 saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send `it' to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And having turned I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.
14 And his head and his hair were white as white wool, `white' as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 and his feet like unto burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,
18 and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
19 Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;
20 the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
1 A revelation of Jesus Christ, that God gave to him, to shew to his servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly; and he did signify `it', having sent through his messenger to his servant John,
2 who did testify the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many things also as he did see.
3 Happy is he who is reading, and those hearing, the words of the prophecy, and keeping the things written in it -- for the time is nigh!
4 John to the seven assemblies that `are' in Asia: Grace to you, and peace, from Him who is, and who was, and who is coming, and from the Seven Spirits that are before His throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood,
6 and did make us kings and priests to his God and Father, to him `is' the glory and the power to the ages of the ages! Amen.
7 Lo, he doth come with the clouds, and see him shall every eye, even those who did pierce him, and wail because of him shall all the tribes of the land. Yes! Amen!
8 `I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming -- the Almighty.'
9 I, John, who also `am' your brother, and fellow-partner in the tribulation, and in the reign and endurance, of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and because of the testimony of Jesus Christ;
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's-day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying,
11 `I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last;' and, `What thou dost see, write in a scroll, and send to the seven assemblies that `are' in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.'
12 And I did turn to see the voice that did speak with me, and having turned, I saw seven golden lamp-stands,
13 and in the midst of the seven lamp-stands, `one' like to a son of man, clothed to the foot, and girt round at the breast with a golden girdle,
14 and his head and hairs white, as if white wool -- as snow, and his eyes as a flame of fire;
15 and his feet like to fine brass, as in a furnace having been fired, and his voice as a sound of many waters,
16 and having in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword is proceeding, and his countenance `is' as the sun shining in its might.
17 And when I saw him, I did fall at his feet as dead, and he placed his right hand upon me, saying to me, `Be not afraid; I am the First and the Last,
18 and he who is living, and I did become dead, and, lo, I am living to the ages of the ages. Amen! and I have the keys of the hades and of the death.
19 `Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to come after these things;
20 the secret of the seven stars that thou hast seen upon my right hand, and the seven golden lamp-stands: the seven stars are messengers of the seven assemblies, and the seven lamp-stands that thou hast seen are seven assemblies.
1 Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to shew to his bondmen what must shortly take place; and he signified [it], sending by his angel, to his bondman John,
2 who testified the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all things that he saw.
3 Blessed [is] he that reads, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things written in it; for the time [is] near.
4 John to the seven assemblies which [are] in Asia: Grace to you and peace from [him] who is, and who was, and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits which [are] before his throne;
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in his blood,
6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father: to him [be] the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen.
7 Behold, he comes with the clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they which have pierced him, and all the tribes of the land shall wail because of him. Yea. Amen.
8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, saith [the] Lord God, he who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
9 I John, your brother and fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience, in Jesus, was in the island called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus.
10 I became in [the] Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet,
11 saying, What thou seest write in a book, and send to the seven assemblies: to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.
12 And I turned back to see the voice which spoke with me; and having turned, I saw seven golden lamps,
13 and in the midst of the [seven] lamps [one] like [the] Son of man, clothed with a garment reaching to the feet, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle:
14 his head and hair white like white wool, as snow; and his eyes as a flame of fire;
15 and his feet like fine brass, as burning in a furnace; and his voice as the voice of many waters;
16 and having in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth a sharp two-edged sword going forth; and his countenance as the sun shines in its power.
17 And when I saw him I fell at his feet as dead; and he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; *I* am the first and the last,
18 and the living one: and I became dead, and behold, I am living to the ages of ages, and have the keys of death and of hades.
19 Write therefore what thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to be after these.
20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou hast seen on my right hand, and the seven golden lamps. -- The seven stars are angels of the seven assemblies; and the seven lamps are seven assemblies.
1 This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
2 who testified to God's word, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood;
6 and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega,{TR adds "the Beginning and the End"}" says the Lord God,{TR omits "God"} "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
9 I John, your brother and partner with you in oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called Patmos because of God's Word and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet
11 saying, "{TR adds "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last."}What you see, write in a book and send to the seven assemblies{TR adds "which are in Asia"}: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12 I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands.
13 And among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire.
15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters.
16 He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last,
18 and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.
19 Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter;
20 the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lampstands are seven assemblies.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him so that his servants might have knowledge of the things which will quickly take place: and he sent and made it clear by his angel to his servant John;
2 Who gave witness of the word of God, and of the witness of Jesus Christ, even of all the things which he saw.
3 A blessing be on the reader, and on those who give ear to the prophet's words, and keep the things which he has put in the book: for the time is near.
4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and was and is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his high seat;
5 And from Jesus Christ, the true witness, the first to come back from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who had love for us and has made us clean from our sins by his blood;
6 And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to his God and Father; to him let glory and power be given for ever and ever. So be it.
7 See, he comes with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those by whom he was wounded; and all the tribes of the earth will be sorrowing because of him. Yes, so be it.
8 I am the First and the Last, says the Lord God who is and was and is to come, the Ruler of all.
9 I, John, your brother, who have a part with you in the trouble and the kingdom and the quiet strength of Jesus, was in the island which is named Patmos, for the word of God and the witness of Jesus.
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and a great voice at my back, as of a horn, came to my ears,
11 Saying, What you see, put in a book, and send it to the seven churches; to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamos and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.
12 And turning to see the voice which said these words to me, I saw seven gold vessels with lights burning in them;
13 And in the middle of them one like a son of man, clothed with a robe down to his feet, and with a band of gold round his breasts.
14 And his head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
15 And his feet like polished brass, as if it had been burned in a fire; and his voice was as the sound of great waters.
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword: and his face was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw him, I went down on my face at his feet as one dead. And he put his right hand on me, saying, Have no fear; I am the first and the last and the Living one;
18 And I was dead, and see, I am living for ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hell.
19 Put in writing, then, the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will be after these;
20 The secret of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven gold vessels with burning lights. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven lights are the seven churches.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 1
Commentary on Revelation 1 Matthew Henry Commentary
An Exposition, With Practical Observations, of
The Revelation of ST. John the Divine
Chapter 1
This chapter is a general preface to the whole book, and contains,
Rev 1:1-2
Here we have,
Rev 1:3-8
We have here an apostolic benediction on those who should give a due regard to this divine revelation; and this benediction is given more generally and more especially.
Rev 1:9-20
We have now come to that glorious vision which the apostle had of the Lord Jesus Christ, when he came to deliver this revelation to him, where observe,