Revelation 1:2
What does Revelation 1:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 1:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 1:2 means
John presents himself as a reliable reporter of what God has shown him. He bears witness to God’s word and to the testimony about Jesus Christ, emphasizing both the source and the content of the message. He adds that he testified to everything he saw, reminding us that Revelation includes a series of visions. John’s role is not to invent, but to transmit faithfully. This anchors the book’s claims in apostolic testimony. For believers facing hardship, such assurance matters: what follows is not rumor or speculation but a God-given record centered on Jesus—His person, His work, and His purposes made known through prophetic sight.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who gave witness of the word of God, and of the witness of Jesus Christ, even of all the things which he saw.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who did testify the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as many things also as he did see.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who hath given testimony to the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, what things soever he hath seen.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890who testified the word ofGod, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, all things that he saw.
Context
Following the statement of origin in verse 1, verse 2 underscores John’s faithfulness as a witness to what he has seen. It strengthens the reader’s confidence before the promised blessing of verse 3. Together, these verses frame Revelation as prophetic vision attested by an apostle. The prologue will shortly move from authority and reliability to invitation and responsibility, calling hearers to receive, keep, and live in light of what God reveals concerning present trials and coming events.
v.1The 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;
v.2This passage
v.3Blessed 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 John 1:1
That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life
- John 21:24
This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true.
- Acts 4:20
for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard.
- John 12:17
The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, bare witness.
- Acts 22:15
For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
- Revelation 6:9
And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
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