Revelation 1:5 kjv

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,

Revelation 1:5 nkjv

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

Revelation 1:5 niv

and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,

Revelation 1:5 esv

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Revelation 1:5 nlt

and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 5 Meaning

Revelation 1:5 proclaims the preeminence and salvific work of Jesus Christ, affirming Him through three divine titles: the faithful witness to God's truth, the first to conquer death and open the new creation, and the ultimate sovereign over all earthly rulers. It then shifts to a declaration of His immeasurable love shown through His atoning sacrifice, which cleanses believers from their sins and makes them righteous before God. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of Christ's character, accomplishments, and current universal authority, eliciting a profound response of worship and gratitude.

Revelation 1 5 Context

Revelation 1:5 is an integral part of the opening salutation and doxology (Rev 1:4-8) within the book of Revelation. After identifying the source of the message (God, the Alpha and Omega, and the seven spirits before His throne), John introduces Jesus Christ by these three exalted titles and His saving work. This serves to establish the ultimate authority and significance of the one through whom the revelation comes. The verse directly precedes the ascription of glory and dominion to Christ, flowing seamlessly into the core message of the book which asserts Christ's sovereignty over a world undergoing tribulation and anticipates His ultimate victory. Historically, this declaration would have provided immense comfort and defiance to early Christians facing persecution from the Roman Empire, which demanded emperor worship, as it boldly proclaimed Jesus as the true and supreme King above all earthly rulers, including the Roman Emperor Domitian, who often styled himself "lord and god."

Revelation 1 5 Word analysis

• And from Jesus Christ: Connects the preceding mentions of God and the seven spirits to the central figure of the revelation. It emphasizes the direct origin of the blessing and revelation from Christ.
• the faithful witness (ὁ μάρτυς, ho martys, literally "the witness"): Signifies His truthfulness, reliability, and steadfastness even unto death. He perfectly embodies and reveals God's truth, offering a testimony affirmed by His life, death, and resurrection. This stands in stark contrast to the deceitful and idolatrous claims of pagan deities and Roman emperors. His death was a martyrdom, a witness to truth.
• the firstborn from the dead (ὁ πρωτότοκος ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, ho prototokos ek tōn nekrōn): Not the first chronologically to rise, but the first in rank and preeminence, initiating a new order of resurrection life. He is the preeminent one among those resurrected, holding the first place, signifying His victory over death and His headship of the new creation and the church. He is the guarantor and prototype of the resurrection for believers.
• the ruler of the kings of the earth (ὁ ἄρχων τῶν βασιλέων τῆς γῆς, ho archōn tōn basileōn tēs gēs): Declares His supreme sovereignty over all earthly authorities, including kings, emperors, and nations. This is a direct polemic against the Roman imperial cult, which claimed divine authority for the emperor. Christ's dominion is universal and absolute, echoing Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah.
• to Him who loved us (τῷ ἀγαπήσαντι ἡμᾶς, tō agapēsanti hēmas): An aorist participle indicating a completed past action with ongoing effect. It refers primarily to Christ's act of atonement on the cross, demonstrating God's initiating, unconditional, and self-sacrificing love.
• and washed us (καὶ λούσαντι ἡμᾶς, kai lousanti hēmas): Refers to spiritual cleansing and purification. The image of washing points to the removal of defilement and guilt, leading to sanctification and a new status before God.
• from our sins (ἀπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν, apo tōn hamartiōn hēmōn): Specifies the object from which purification occurs. It highlights the completeness of the liberation from sin's defilement, guilt, and power.
• by His blood (ἐν τῷ αἵματι αὐτοῦ, en tō haimati autou): Identifies the means of purification: Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. His unique and perfect sacrifice of life provides the efficacious cleansing, fulfilling Old Testament sacrificial shadows and establishing the new covenant.

Words-Group Analysis:

• The Triad of Titles: "the faithful witness," "the firstborn from the dead," and "the ruler of the kings of the earth" form a powerful triad that defines Christ's multifaceted authority and identity. These titles span His revelatory truth, His victory over death, and His sovereign rule, providing a complete picture of His divine authority and saving power before delving into His specific act of love.
• Loved and Washed: "who loved us and washed us from our sins" combines two aspects of Christ's redemptive work. His love is the motive, and His washing is the gracious effect. This connection underscores that redemption is an act of divine love that results in cleansing and freedom from the bondage of sin, not merely a legal transaction.
• By His Blood: "by His blood" is integral to "washed us from our sins." The sacrificial blood is the indispensable means by which purification and atonement are achieved. This phrase grounds the abstract concept of spiritual washing in the tangible, historical event of Christ's crucifixion and underscores the ultimate cost of our redemption.

Revelation 1 5 Bonus section

• Doxological Core: This verse is a doxology (a statement of praise to God), serving to magnify Christ before launching into the prophetic messages of the book. It sets the tone of worship and Christ-centered focus for Revelation.
• Old Testament Fulfillment: The titles ascribed to Jesus in this verse directly fulfill Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament, such as the suffering servant who brings truth (Isa 53) and the preeminent king over nations (Ps 2, 89; Dan 7).
• Polemics against Roman Imperial Cult: The titles of "faithful witness" (challenging false claims of emperor divinity) and "ruler of the kings of the earth" (directly asserting Christ's supremacy over Roman emperors) serve as strong polemics against the contemporary Roman emperor worship that demanded allegiance away from Christ.
• Foundation for Priesthood and Kingdom: The truths declared here about Christ's sacrificial cleansing (Rev 1:5b) logically flow into the subsequent declaration (Rev 1:6) that believers are made a kingdom and priests, capable of serving God due to Christ's prior redemptive act.

Revelation 1 5 Commentary

Revelation 1:5 delivers a magnificent portrait of Jesus Christ, blending His divine identity, historical actions, and cosmic authority. His titles are not merely honorary but encapsulate His very nature and work: He is the reliable revealer of God’s truth, even unto martyrdom; He is the pioneer and paramount victor over death, initiating a new resurrection life; and He is the undisputed sovereign, challenging all earthly powers and claims. The shift from His titles to His salvific work for humanity emphasizes that His immense power is wielded out of profound love. His single, completed act of loving us through His atoning blood purifies us thoroughly from all our sins, changing our spiritual status from condemned to clean. This foundational truth about Christ's person and work serves as both a comfort for believers enduring tribulation and a catalyst for worship and praise. The entire vision of Revelation flows from this understanding of the reigning and redemptive Christ.