KJV: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
YLT: who did testify the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many things also as he did see.
Darby: who testified the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all things that he saw.
ASV: who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
| ἐμαρτύρησεν | testified |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: μαρτυρέω Sense: to be a witness, to bear witness, i.e. to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that he knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration. |
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| τὸν | to the |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| λόγον | word |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular Root: λόγος Sense: of speech. |
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| τοῦ | - |
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Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| Θεοῦ | of God |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: θεός Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities. |
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| τὴν | to the |
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Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: ὁ Sense: this, that, these, etc. |
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| μαρτυρίαν | testimony |
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Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular Root: μαρτυρία Sense: a testifying. |
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| Ἰησοῦ | of Jesus |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Ἰησοῦς Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor. |
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| Χριστοῦ | Christ |
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Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular Root: Χριστός Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God. |
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| ὅσα | as much as |
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Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Plural Root: ὅσος Sense: as great as, as far as, how much, how many, whoever. |
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| εἶδεν | he saw |
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Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular Root: εἶδον Sense: to see with the eyes. |
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Greek Commentary for Revelation 1:2
First aorist active indicative of μαρτυρεω martureō which, along with μαρτυς martus and μαρτυρια marturia is common in all the Johannine books (cf. Revelation 22:18, Revelation 22:20), usually with περι peri or οτι hoti but with cognate accusative as here in Revelation 22:16, Revelation 22:20; 1 John 5:10. Epistolary aorist here, referring to this book. [source]
Subjective genitive, given by God. The prophetic word as in Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:4, not the personal Word as in Revelation 19:14.The testimony of Jesus Christ (την μαρτυριαν Ιησου Χριστου tēn marturian Iēsou Christou). Subjective genitive again, borne witness to by Jesus Christ.Even of all the things that he saw Relative clause in apposition with λογον logon and μαρτυριαν marturian f0). [source]
Subjective genitive again, borne witness to by Jesus Christ. [source]
Relative clause in apposition with λογον logon and μαρτυριαν marturian f0). [source]
See on John 1:7. Rev., bear witness. The reference is to the present book and not to the Gospel. The aorist tense is the epistolary aorist. See on 1 John 2:13, and compare the introduction to Thucydides' “History:” “Thucydides, an Athenian, wrote ( ξυνέγραψε ) the history of the war,” etc.; placing himself at the reader's stand point, who will regard the writing as occurring in the past. [source]
Not the personal Word, but the prophetic contents of this book. See Revelation 22:6. [source]
For the phrase to witness a witness see John 4:32. For the peculiar emphasis on the idea of witness in John, see on John 1:7. The words and the ides are characteristic of Revelation as of the Gospel and Epistles. [source]
Omit. The clause all things that he saw is in apposition with the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, marking these as seen by him. Rev. adds even. [source]
Lit., as many things as he saw. In the Gospel John uses the word εἶδεν sawonly twice of his own eye-witness (John 1:40; John 20:8). In Revelation it is constantly used of the seeing of visions. Compare Revelation 1:19. For the verb as denoting the immediate intuition of the seer, see on John 2:24. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 1:2
The Jews believed that each nation had a guardian angel (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20.; Daniel 12:1). The seven churches in Revelation (Revelation 1:20) have angels, each of them, whatsoever the meaning is. Does Jesus mean to teach here that each little child or child of faith had a special angel who appears in God‘s presence, “see the face of my Father” (βλεπουσιν το προσωπον του πατρος μου blepousin to prosōpon tou patros mou) in special intimacy? Or does he simply mean that the angels do take an interest in the welfare of God‘s people (Hebrews 1:14)? There is comfort to us in that thought. Certainly Jesus means that the Father takes special care of his “little ones” who believe in Him. There are angels in God‘s presence (Luke 1:19). [source]
In the Septuagint only in Daniel. See Daniel 2:18, Daniel 2:19, Daniel 2:27, Daniel 2:28, Daniel 2:30, of the king's secret. It occurs frequently in the apocryphal books, mostly of secrets of state, or plans kept by a king in his own mind. This meaning illustrates the use of the word in passages like Matthew 13:11, “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” - secret purposes or counsels which God intends to carry into effect in His kingdom. So here; Romans 16:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27; Colossians 2:2; Colossians 4:3; Revelation 10:7. In Justin Martyr (second century) it is commonly used in connection with σύμβολον symbol τύπος type παραβολή parableand so is evidently closely related in meaning to these words. Compare Revelation 1:20; Revelation 17:7, This meaning may possibly throw light on Ephesians 5:32. In early ecclesiastical Latin μυστήριον was rendered by sacramentum, which in classical Latin means the military oath. The explanation of the word sacrament, which is so often founded on this etymology, is therefore mistaken, since the meaning of sacrament belongs to μυστήριον and not to sacramentum in the classical sense. In Ephesians 3:3-6, Paul uses the word as here, of the admission of the Gentiles. [source]
The torment is thus personified. Messenger is the word commonly rendered angel in the New Testament, though sometimes used of human messengers, as Luke 7:24, Luke 7:27; Luke 9:52; James 2:25; see also on the angels of the churches, Revelation 1:20. Messenger and Satan are not to be taken in apposition - a messenger who was Satan - because Satan is never called ἄγγελος in the New Testament. Messenger is figurative, in the sense of agent. Satan is conceived in the New Testament as the originator of bodily evil. Thus, in the gospel narrative, demoniac possession is often accompanied with some form of disease. Compare Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38, and see on 1 Corinthians 5:5. [source]
Old word from ποιεω poieō with the ending ματ ̇mat meaning result. In N.T. only here and Revelation 1:20. [source]
Better, of lawlessness. The phrase is unique in N.T. and olxx. Mystery is found in various combinations, as mystery of the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 13:11: of God, 1 Corinthians 2:1: of his will, Ephesians 1:9: of Christ, Ephesians 3:4: of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19: of faith, 1 Timothy 3:9: of godliness, 1 Timothy 3:16: of the seven stars Revelation 1:20: of the woman, Revelation 17:7. A mystery does not lie in the obscurity of a thing, but in its secrecy. It is not in the thing, but envelops it. Applied to a truth, it signifies a truth once hidden but now revealed or to be revealed; a truth which without special revelation would be unknown. It is almost universally found in connection with words signifying publication or revelation. See on Matthew 13:11. The mystery of lawlessness is the mass of lawlessness yet hidden, but which is to reveal itself in the person and power of Antichrist. The position of the word is emphatic, emphasizing the concealed character of the evil power. [source]
The Son. Placed after the Spirit because what is to follow in Revelation 1:5-8relates to Him. This is according to John's manner of arranging his thoughts so that a new sentence shall spring out of the final thought of the preceding sentence. Compare the Prologue of the Gospel, and Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:2, of this chapter. [source]
The exact meaning of the term here is uncertain. The following are the principal interpretations: 1. The officials known as angels or messengers of the synagogue, transferred to the Christian Church. These were mere clerks or readers; so that their position does not answer to that of the angels presiding over the churches. There is, besides, no trace of the transfer of that office to the Christian Church. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 2. Angels proper Heavenly guardians of the churches. This is urged on the ground that the word is constantly used in Revelation of a heavenly being; by reference to the angels of the little ones (Matthew 18:10), and to Peter's angel (Acts 12:15). It is urged that, if an individual may have a guardian angel, so may a Church. Reference is also made to the tutelar national angels of Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- But why should the seer be instructed to write to heavenly messengers, with exhortations to repentance and fidelity, and describing them as “rich,” “poor,” “lukewarm,” etc. (Revelation 2:4; Revelation 3:1, Revelation 3:16)?-DIVIDER- 3. The angels are a personification of the churches themselves: the Church being spoken of as if concentrated in its angel or messenger. But in Revelation 1:20, they are explicitly distinguished from the golden candlesticks, the churches. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- 4. The rulers ard teachers of the congregation. These are compared by Daniel (Daniel 12:3) to stars. See Malachi 2:7, where the priest is called the messenger (angel) of the Lord; and Malachi 3:1, where the same word is used of the prophet. See also Haggai 1:13. Under this interpretation two views are possible. (a) The angels are Bishops; the word ἄγγελος sometimes occurring in that sense (as in Jerome and Socrates). This raises the question of the existence of episcopacy towards the close of the first century. (b) The word is used of the ministry collectively; the whole board of officers, including both presbyters and deacons, who represented and were responsible for the moral condition of the churches. See Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Dr. Schaff says: “This phraseology of the Apocalypse already looks towards the idea of episcopacy in its primitive form, that is, to a monarchical concentration of governmental form in one person, bearing a patriarchal relation to the congregation, and responsible in an eminent sense for the spiritual condition of the whole … . But even in this case we must insist on an important distinction between the 'angels' of the Book of Revelation and the later diocesan Bishops. For aside from the very limited extent of their charges, as compared with the large territory of most Greek, Roman Catholic, and Anglican Bishops, these angels stood below the Apostles and their legates, and were not yet invested with the great power (particularly the right to confirm and ordain) which fell to the later Bishops after the death of the Apostles … . The angels, accordingly, if we are to understand by them single individuals, must be considered as forming the transition from the presbyters of the apostolic age to the Bishops of the second century” (“History of the Apostolic Church”). -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- [source]
The reason for (δια dia and the accusative) John‘s presence in Patmos, naturally as a result of persecution already alluded to, not for the purpose of preaching there or of receiving the visions. See Revelation 1:2 for the phrase. [source]
First aorist active participle of επιστρεπω epistrephō from which also επεστρεπσα epestrepsa just before, for which verb see Acts 15:36; Acts 16:18.Seven golden candlesticks (επτα λυχνιας χρυσας hepta luchnias chrusas). See Matthew 5:15 for λυχνια luchnia (lampstand). Symbols of the seven churches as explained in Revelation 1:20. See Exodus 25:35. for description of a seven-branched candlestick, but here the lampstands are separate. [source]
See Matthew 5:15 for λυχνια luchnia (lampstand). Symbols of the seven churches as explained in Revelation 1:20. See Exodus 25:35. for description of a seven-branched candlestick, but here the lampstands are separate. [source]
See note on 1 Corinthians 9:23. “Co-partner with you” (Romans 11:17). One article with αδελπος adelphos and συνκοινωνος sunkoinōnos unifying the picture. The absence of αποστολος apostolos here does not show that he is not an apostle, but merely his self-effacement, as in the Fourth Gospel, and still more his oneness with his readers. So there is only one article All this is possible only “in Jesus” Rather, “I came to be,” second aorist middle indicative of γινομαι ginomai the isle that is called Patmos (εν τηι νησωι τηι καλουμενηι Πατμωι en tēi nēsōi tēi kaloumenēi Patmōi). Patmos is a rocky sparsely settled island some ten miles long and half that wide, one of the Sporades group in the Aegean Sea, south of Miletus. The present condition of the island is well described by W. E. Geil in The Isle That Is Called Patmos (1905). Here John saw the visions described in the book, apparently written while still a prisoner there in exile.For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus The reason for (δια dia and the accusative) John‘s presence in Patmos, naturally as a result of persecution already alluded to, not for the purpose of preaching there or of receiving the visions. See Revelation 1:2 for the phrase. [source]
For safe keeping as in John 10:28.Seven stars (αστερας επτα asteras hepta). Symbols of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20), seven planets rather than Pleiades or any other constellation like the bear.Proceeded Present middle participle of εκπορευομαι ekporeuomai old compound (Matthew 3:5) used loosely again like εχων echōn sharp two-edged sword “A sword two-mouthed sharp.” ομπαια Romphaia (as distinct from μαχαιρα machaira) is a long sword, properly a Thracian javelin, in N.T. only Luke 2:35; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Hebrews 4:12. See στομα stoma used with μαχαιρης machairēs in Luke 21:24 (by the mouth of the sword).Countenance (οπσις opsis). Old word (from οπτω optō), in N.T. only here, John 7:24; John 11:44.As the sun shineth Brachylogy, “as the sun when it shines.” For παινει phainei see John 1:5. [source]
Symbols of the seven churches (Revelation 1:20), seven planets rather than Pleiades or any other constellation like the bear. [source]
Repeated in Revelation 22:9. Here there is no verb after μη mē (ellipse of ποιησηις τουτο poiēsēis touto) as in Mark 1:44; 1 Thessalonians 5:15), the aorist subjunctive of negative purpose with μη mē after ορα hora (present active imperative of οραω horaō), a common enough idiom.Fellow-servant (συνδουλος sundoulos). The angel refuses worship from John on this ground. All Christians are συνδουλοι sundouloi (fellow-servants) as Christ taught (Matthew 18:28.; Matthew 24:49) and as Paul (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7) and John (Revelation 6:11) taught. Angels are God‘s servants also (Hebrews 1:4-14). For “the testimony of Jesus” see Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 22:4.Worship God And Christ, who is the Son of God (Revelation 5:13.).The spirit of prophecy (το πνευμα της προπητειας to pneuma tēs prophēteias). Explanatory use of γαρ gar (for) here as in Revelation 19:8. The possession of the prophetic spirit shows itself in witness to Jesus. In illustration see Mark 1:10; Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:21; John 1:51; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 10:1; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 14:17; Revelation 15:5; Revelation 18:1; Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:7-9. [source]
The angel refuses worship from John on this ground. All Christians are συνδουλοι sundouloi (fellow-servants) as Christ taught (Matthew 18:28.; Matthew 24:49) and as Paul (Colossians 1:7; Colossians 4:7) and John (Revelation 6:11) taught. Angels are God‘s servants also (Hebrews 1:4-14). For “the testimony of Jesus” see Revelation 1:2, Revelation 1:9; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 22:4. [source]
As in Revelation 9:1.A great chain (αλυσιν μεγαλην halusin megalēn). Paul wore a αλυσις halusis (alpha privative and λυω luō to loose) in Rome (2 Timothy 1:16, as did Peter in prison in Jerusalem (Acts 12:6).In his hand “Upon his hand,” ready for use. See επι epi with the genitive in Revelation 1:20. [source]
“Upon his hand,” ready for use. See επι epi with the genitive in Revelation 1:20. [source]
Charles takes ο λυχνος ho luchnos as predicate, “and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.” Bousset thinks that John means to compare Christ to the moon the lesser light (Genesis 1:16), but that contrast is not necessary. Swete sees Christ as the one lamp for all in contrast with the many λυχνιαι luchniai of the churches on earth (Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20). “No words could more clearly demonstrate the purely spiritual character of St. John‘s conception of the New Jerusalem” (Swete). [source]
First aorist active indicative of πωτιζω phōtizō to illumine, old verb from πως phōs (Luke 11:36). If the sun and moon did shine, they would give no added light in the presence of the Shekinah Glory of God. See Revelation 21:11 for “the glory of God.” Cf. Revelation 18:1; Revelation 21:3. “Their splendour is simply put to shame by the glory of God Himself” (Charles).And the lamp thereof is the Lamb (και ο λυχνος αυτης το αρνιον kai ho luchnos autēs to arnion). Charles takes ο λυχνος ho luchnos as predicate, “and the Lamb is the lamp thereof.” Bousset thinks that John means to compare Christ to the moon the lesser light (Genesis 1:16), but that contrast is not necessary. Swete sees Christ as the one lamp for all in contrast with the many λυχνιαι luchniai of the churches on earth (Revelation 1:12, Revelation 1:20). “No words could more clearly demonstrate the purely spiritual character of St. John‘s conception of the New Jerusalem” (Swete). [source]
Christ is the speaker, either through this angel or more probably directly from Christ without introduction as in Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:16. About Christ coming quickly see Revelation 2:5, Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 16:15, and already in Revelation 1:2. Once more we must recall that ταχυ tachu and εν ταχει en tachei are according to God‘s time, not ours (2 Peter 3:8). [source]
That is Jesus (Revelation 1:2) who has just spoken (Revelation 22:18). [source]
For which picture of the Holy Spirit see Revelation 1:4.And the seven stars (και τους επτα αστερας kai tous hepta asteras). As in Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:20.A name that thou livest A name in contrast with reality. The οτι hoti clause in apposition with ονομα onoma thou art dead “The paradox of death under the name of life” (Swete). Not complete (a nucleus of life) death (Revelation 3:2), but rapidly dying. See the picture in James 2:17; 2 Corinthians 6:9; 2 Timothy 3:5. [source]
As in Revelation 1:16, Revelation 1:20. [source]
Same phrase in Revelation 16:12. From the east, though why is not told. Swete suggests it is because Palestine is east of Patmos. The plural απο ανατολων apo anatolōn occurs in Matthew 2:1 without ηλιου hēliou (sun).The seal of the living God (σπραγιδα τεου ζωντος sphragida theou zōntos). Here the signet ring, like that used by an Oriental monarch, to give validity to the official documents. The use of ζωντος zōntos with τεου theou accents the eternal life of God (Revelation 1:18; Revelation 10:6; Revelation 15:7) as opposed to the ephemeral pagan gods.To whom it was given For εδοτη edothē see Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4, etc. The repetition of αυτοις autois in addition to οις hois (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koiné to some extent) often in the Apocalypse (Revelation 3:8). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches (Revelation 1:20).To hurt (αδικησαι adikēsai). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω adikeō subject of εδοτη edothē common use of αδικεω adikeō in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:11; Revelation 6:6 already), in Luke 10:19 also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them. [source]
For εδοτη edothē see Revelation 6:2, Revelation 6:4, etc. The repetition of αυτοις autois in addition to οις hois (both dative) is a redundant Hebraism (in vernacular Koiné to some extent) often in the Apocalypse (Revelation 3:8). The angels are here identified with the winds as the angels of the churches with the churches (Revelation 1:20).To hurt (αδικησαι adikēsai). First aorist active infinitive of αδικεω adikeō subject of εδοτη edothē common use of αδικεω adikeō in this sense of to hurt in the Apocalypse (Revelation 2:11; Revelation 6:6 already), in Luke 10:19 also. The injury is to come by letting loose the winds, not by withholding them. [source]