Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:17

What does Revelation 1:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:17 means

Overwhelmed by the vision, John falls at Christ’s feet like a dead man. The Lord lays His right hand on him and says, “Fear not,” revealing both majesty and mercy. He identifies Himself as the first and the last, a divine title asserting His supremacy over history and eternity. Awe leads to assurance; the same hand that holds the stars steadies His servant. True encounters with the risen Christ humble us, yet they also lift us by His gracious word. The command not to fear is grounded in who He is—the beginning and the end—able to sustain His people in every trial.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when I had seen 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,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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,

Context

After the soaring description of verses 12–16, verse 17 records John’s collapse and Christ’s compassionate response. This sets up verse 18, where Jesus further declares Himself the Living One who was dead and now lives forever, holding the keys of death and Hades. The reassurance and self-revelation then lead in verse 19 to the commission to write what John has seen, what is, and what will take place, organizing the book’s message.

v.16And 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.

v.17This passage

v.18and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 28:4

    and for fear of him the watchers did quake, and became as dead men.

  • Daniel 10:17

    For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me.

  • Revelation 1:11

    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.

  • Isaiah 48:12

    Hearken unto me, O Jacob, and Israel my called: I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.

  • Daniel 10:15

    And when he had spoken unto me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was dumb.

  • Daniel 10:8

    So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

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