Revelation 1:11
What does Revelation 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 1:11 means
The commanding voice tells John to write what he sees in a book and send it to seven specific churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Revelation is meant to be written, preserved, and circulated. These named congregations were real communities in Asia, yet the number seven also signals fullness; their issues and encouragements represent the wider church. The Lord directs the content and the audience, showing His personal concern for local churches. What follows is not private spirituality but a public word, meant to be read, heard, and obeyed by Christ’s people together.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Saying, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying, 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`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 <FI>are<Fi> in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamus and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890saying, 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.
Context
The voice of verse 10 now gives its commission. Before any visions are described, the Lord establishes the book’s purpose and immediate recipients. In verses 12–16, John will turn and see the risen Christ among the candlesticks, explaining the authority behind the letters. The named churches anticipate chapters 2–3, where each church receives a tailored message. This structure underscores that the cosmic Christ addresses concrete congregations.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 3:1
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead.
- Colossians 4:15
Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church that is in their house.
- Acts 18:24
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.
- Revelation 1:17
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,
- Acts 20:17
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.
- Revelation 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword:
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