Revelation 3:7
What does Revelation 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:7 means
To Philadelphia, Jesus presents himself as holy and true, carrying David’s key—the royal authority to open and shut access to God’s kingdom and service. What he opens no one can shut; what he shuts no one can open. The church faces hostility and limitation, but Christ’s sovereign control over opportunities and acceptance reassures them. He is morally pure and utterly reliable; his words and decisions stand. By invoking the key, he signals messianic authority to admit, exclude, and protect. The church does not need to force doors open or fear others barring them; their future is secured by the Lord who holds the key of David and rules the entrance to all that truly matters.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia say: These things says he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, opening the door so that it may be shut by no one, and shutting it so that it may be open to no one.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things saith he who is holy, he who is true, he who is having the key of David, he who is opening and no one doth shut, and he shutteth and no one doth open!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and no man openeth:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: These things saith the holy, the true; he that has the key of David, he who opens and no one shall shut, and shuts and no one shall open:
Context
This introduction launches the message to Philadelphia, shifting from Sardis’s rebuke to encouragement. The titles chosen anticipate the promises to come: an open door in verse 8, vindication over opponents in verse 9, and preservation in trial in verse 10. Emphasizing Jesus’ holiness, truth, and key-bearing authority prepares readers to trust his assurances and to stand firm. The flow will commend their faithfulness despite small strength and then unfold rewards for their endurance.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 19:11
And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
- Revelation 1:18
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.
- Revelation 19:2
for true and righteous are his judgments; for he hath judged the great harlot, her that corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
- Job 12:14
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again; He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
- Revelation 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.
- Revelation 1:5
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;
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