Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:18

What does Revelation 1:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:18 means

Jesus declares Himself the Living One: He died, yet now lives forever. He holds the keys of death and Hades, meaning He has absolute authority over the grave and the realm of the dead. His resurrection is not only personal triumph but dominion that secures His people’s hope. Death is no longer master; Christ is. For the suffering churches, this turns fear into courage. The One speaking is not a mere vision of power; He is the crucified and risen Lord whose life cannot end. He alone can open and shut the doors of death and judgment, and He guards His own.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I was dead, and see, I am living for ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hell.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And alive, and was dead. And behold I am living for ever and ever and have the keys of death and of hell.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Building on the reassurance of verse 17, verse 18 anchors comfort in the gospel: the risen Christ reigns over death itself. From this doctrinal center, verse 19 will commission John to write a comprehensive account—past vision, present realities, and future events. Then verse 20 immediately interprets two major symbols from the vision, helping the reader to grasp that Christ’s authority extends to the churches He holds and stands among.

v.17And 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,

v.18This passage

v.19Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 7:16

    who hath been made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life:

  • Isaiah 22:22

    And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; and he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

  • Revelation 4:9

    And when the living creatures shall give glory and honor and thanks to him that sitteth on the throne, to him that liveth for ever and ever,

  • Matthew 16:19

    I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

  • Galatians 2:20

    I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.

  • Colossians 3:3

    For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

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