Revelation 1:17 kjv

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:

Revelation 1:17 nkjv

And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:17 niv

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

Revelation 1:17 esv

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Revelation 1:17 nlt

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 17 Meaning

John, overwhelmed by the majestic vision of the resurrected and glorified Christ, reacts with complete physical and spiritual prostration, experiencing a state akin to death in the face of absolute divine holiness. In this moment of utter submission and fear, Christ graciously reaches out, touches John, and provides comfort through the reassuring command not to fear. He then declares His unique and eternal divine identity as "the First and the Last," affirming His supremacy, eternal existence, and sovereign authority over all creation and time.

Revelation 1 17 Context

Revelation 1 sets the stage for the entire book, revealing Jesus Christ in His glorified, divine authority. The chapter begins with the nature of the prophecy, a revelation given by God to Jesus, then to an angel, then to John, for His servants. John identifies himself as an exiled brother sharing in suffering and witness. He then recounts being "in the Spirit" on the Lord's Day, where he hears a loud voice and turns to see a magnificent vision of Christ. This verse (1:17) describes John's immediate reaction to this overwhelming sight – falling in profound reverence and terror – followed by Christ's tender reassurance and self-proclamation. This personal encounter not only validates John's prophetic commission but also underscores the absolute deity and sovereignty of the One who is revealing the future. Historically, Christians faced persecution, and emperor worship was prevalent. This revelation, emphasizing Christ's unique ultimacy, served as a polemic against such idolatry and as profound encouragement for believers.

Revelation 1 17 Word analysis

• When I saw Him:

  • "When I saw" (εἶδον - eidon): Indicates an instantaneous and profound sensory perception. It marks a moment of direct, unfiltered encounter. John’s visual apprehension leads directly to his physical response.
  • "Him": Refers directly to the glorified Jesus Christ described in Rev 1:12-16. This "Him" is no mere man, but the exalted Lord.

• I fell at His feet as dead:

  • "I fell" (ἔπεσα - epesa): Denotes a sudden and complete prostration, a loss of control. It is an act of involuntary reverence and awe.
  • "at His feet" (πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ - pros tous podas autou): A posture of utter submission, worship, and reverence. It signifies deep humility and acknowledgment of overwhelming superiority and holiness.
  • "as dead" (ὡς νεκρὸς - hōs nekros): Not literally dead, but rendered inert, powerless, breathless, and utterly overwhelmed. This vivid simile captures the extreme physiological and spiritual shock. It echoes reactions of prophets encountering God’s glory (Isa 6:5; Ezek 1:28; Dan 8:17, 10:8-9), signifying mortal incapacity in the divine presence. The contrast with Christ who was dead but is now alive is striking.

• And He laid His right hand on me:

  • "He laid" (ἔθηκεν - ethēken): A deliberate, personal, and intentional act of physical touch.
  • "His right hand" (τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ - tēn dexian autou): In ancient cultures, the right hand symbolizes strength, authority, power, blessing, and comfort. Here, it is Christ’s strong, sovereign hand that brings healing, restoration, and commissioning, rather than further overwhelming. It contrasts sharply with John's "dead" state. This physical contact indicates personal intimacy and grace from the glorious Christ.
  • "on me": The touch is directly applied to John, signifying personal intervention and restoration.

• saying to me:

  • "saying" (λέγων - legōn): Implies spoken instruction and reassurance from Christ directly to John.

• "Do not be afraid":

  • "Do not be afraid" (Μὴ φοβοῦ - Mē phobou): A very common divine imperative found throughout Scripture. It always accompanies a powerful, often frightening, divine manifestation or a moment of great revelation and calling. It is a promise of divine protection and an invitation to trust. Here, it precedes the commissioning and revelation.

• "I am the First and the Last.":

  • "I am" (Ἐγὼ εἰμί - Egō eimi): A profoundly significant divine declaration in Greek, mirroring the Hebrew "I AM" (Ex 3:14), which is Yahweh’s self-designation. By using "I am," Christ explicitly asserts His eternal, uncreated deity, connecting Himself with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • "the First" (ὁ πρῶτος - ho prōtos): Signifies His absolute priority and preeminence. He exists before all creation, before time itself. There is nothing before Him. He is the originator.
  • "the Last" (ὁ ἔσχατος - ho eschatos): Signifies His ultimate finality, ultimate authority, and eternal endurance. He will be present at the end of all things. All things resolve in Him.
  • "the First and the Last": This dual title, previously found in Old Testament prophecy exclusively as a descriptor for Yahweh (Isa 41:4; 44:6; 48:12), is now directly claimed by Jesus. This is a crucial christological statement affirming Jesus’ full co-equality and co-eternality with God the Father. It is a powerful polemic against any competing deities or human claims to ultimacy, asserting Christ's sole and eternal sovereignty.

Revelation 1 17 Bonus section

The scene described in Revelation 1:17 is a archetypal "theophanic encounter," mirroring how divine glory often rendered biblical figures speechless and prostrate. It's not just fear of punishment, but overwhelming awe at holiness. The transition from "dead" to being touched by Christ's living hand signifies resurrection power extended to John, preparing him to write a book about Christ's victory over death. Christ, as the "First and the Last," embodies absolute control over time and eternity, providing profound comfort to those living in the end times. This title ensures His plans will be accomplished and nothing is outside His purview, regardless of the chaos depicted in the rest of Revelation.

Revelation 1 17 Commentary

Revelation 1:17 encapsulates the essence of divine encounter and commission. John’s profound physical and spiritual collapse ("as dead") is the expected human reaction to witnessing the undiminished glory of God. It highlights humanity's fragility and fallenness in the presence of absolute holiness, paralleling Old Testament prophetic experiences. The compassionate response of Christ, reaching out with His "right hand" to lift and comfort, underscores His merciful character. This gesture is both personal and empowering, transforming fear into readiness for divine service. The command, "Do not be afraid," consistently signifies that divine revelation brings reassurance, not destruction, for those chosen for a task. Most pivotally, Christ's self-proclamation as "the First and the Last" is a monumental declaration of His eternal deity. This title, unequivocally belonging to Yahweh in the Old Testament, firmly establishes Jesus Christ as co-equal with the Father, the uncreated, sovereign Alpha and Omega of all existence, confirming His ultimate authority over death, life, and the unfolding of history, thereby providing a secure foundation for the entirety of the prophetic revelations that follow. This intimate revelation empowers John, enabling him to receive and convey God's message with courage and unwavering conviction despite challenging circumstances.