Devine Scripture

Revelation 1:5

What does Revelation 1:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 1:5 means

The greeting reaches its high point in Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness who testified perfectly to the Father, even unto death. He is the firstborn from the dead, the pioneer of resurrection life and the pledge that death does not rule God’s people. He is ruler of the kings of the earth, sovereign over all earthly power. Personally and presently, He loves believers and has freed them from their sins by His blood. The cross is the decisive act that breaks sin’s bonds. These titles steady the church: our Lord is truthful, victorious over death, and supreme over rulers, and His redeeming love is ongoing and sure.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And from Jesus Christ, the true witness, the first to come back from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who had love for us and has made us clean from our sins by his blood;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in his blood,

Context

This continues the salutation begun in verse 4, now naming Jesus and highlighting His offices and saving work. It naturally leads into verse 6, where John exults in Christ who has made His people a kingdom and priests and ascribes glory and dominion to Him forever. These opening affirmations—faithful witness, resurrection life, cosmic rule, and redemption—frame everything that follows, including rebukes and promises to the churches, under Christ’s loving authority and accomplished salvation.

v.4John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;

v.5This passage

v.6and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 7:8

    but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

  • Ephesians 5:2

    and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

  • Ephesians 5:25

    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;

  • 1 Corinthians 15:20

    But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

  • Revelation 19:16

    And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

  • Acts 20:28

    Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

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