Revelation 1:9 kjv

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:9 nkjv

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 1:9 niv

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9 esv

I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9 nlt

I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God's Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus.

Revelation 1 verses

Revelation 1 9 Meaning

John, the author of Revelation, identifies himself with his audience, the believers in Asia Minor. He addresses them as a fellow Christian who shares in the common experiences of believers: enduring tribulation, participating in Christ's spiritual kingdom, and practicing steadfast perseverance. John reveals his present location as the island of Patmos, to which he was exiled specifically because of his unwavering commitment to proclaiming God's Word and bearing faithful witness to Jesus Christ. This verse establishes John's authority not only as an apostle but as a relatable and persecuted brother, validating the message he is about to convey from a shared perspective of suffering and hope.

Revelation 1 9 Context

Revelation 1:9 introduces the human author of the apocalyptic vision. This verse serves as a crucial bridge between the opening salutation and blessing (Rev 1:1-8) and the subsequent description of John's first vision of the glorified Christ. John immediately establishes his shared identity with the struggling Christian communities in Asia Minor (the seven churches mentioned later). The historical context is vital: the early Christian church was experiencing escalating persecution under the Roman Emperor Domitian, particularly towards the end of the 1st century AD. Christians were often exiled for refusing to participate in emperor worship, viewed as disloyalty to the state. Patmos was a rugged, desolate island in the Aegean Sea used as a Roman penal colony, typically for political or religious offenders. John's banishment there directly due to his faithful witness for Christ validates the divine authority and urgency of the message he is about to impart, speaking to those who were likely facing similar, albeit lesser, forms of persecution.

Revelation 1 9 Word analysis

• I, John (ἐγὼ Ἰωάννης, egō Iōannēs): A direct, personal identification. While an apostle, John presents himself simply as "John," underscoring humility and direct communication with his audience, characteristic of prophetic writers.
• your brother (ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, adelphos hymōn): Signifies deep fellowship and shared identity within the Christian community. John chooses this term over a more formal apostolic title to convey solidarity with believers facing persecution, emphasizing mutual belonging.
• and companion (καὶ συγκοινωνός, kai sygkoinōnos): Derived from syn (with) and koinōnos (sharer, partner). It highlights a shared experience and participation, underscoring joint involvement in Christ's blessings and challenges.
• in the suffering (ἐν τῇ θλίψει, en tē thlipsei): Refers to tribulation, distress, or persecution. It implies that suffering is not an external problem but an integral part of the Christian life in a fallen world, a shared reality for all believers.
• and kingdom (καὶ βασιλείᾳ, kai basileia): Denotes God's reign. This "kingdom" is already present spiritually among believers (an "inaugurated" kingdom), even as they await its full future manifestation. Believers partake in Christ's rule even amid their suffering.
• and patient endurance (καὶ ὑπομονῇ, kai hypomonē): Often translated as perseverance or steadfastness. It implies active endurance under pressure, not passive resignation, rooted in faith and hope, vital for those living in both suffering and the inaugurated kingdom.
• that are ours in Jesus (ἐν Ἰησοῦ, en Iēsou): Emphasizes that all these experiences – suffering, kingdom participation, and endurance – are inherently tied to one's union with Christ. He is both the source and the power for living through them.
• was on the island of Patmos (ἐγενόμην ἐν τῇ νήσῳ τῇ καλουμένῃ Πάτμῳ, egenomēn en tē nēsō tē kaloumenē Patmō): Establishes the specific geographical location and John's personal situation. Patmos was a rocky, small island used as a Roman place of exile for political prisoners, making John's presence there a clear indicator of punitive action against him.
• because of (διὰ, dia): Clearly states the reason or cause of John's exile, highlighting its direct link to his faithfulness.
• the word of God (τὸν λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ton logon tou Theou): Refers to divine revelation, God's message proclaimed through prophecy and apostolic teaching. John was exiled for upholding and proclaiming this truth.
• and the testimony of Jesus (καὶ τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ, kai tēn martyrian Iēsou): In Revelation, this often refers to the witness borne by Jesus (e.g., prophecy inspired by Him) or the witness about Jesus (the content of Christian proclamation). In this context, it primarily signifies John's faithful and unwavering proclamation of Christ's identity, message, and work, which led to his persecution.

• "your brother and companion": This pairing emphasizes shared Christian identity and mutual participation, fostering a sense of solidarity between John and his readers. It suggests John's authority comes from shared experience, not merely hierarchical position.
• "in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance": This is a pivotal triad in Revelation. It depicts the paradox of the Christian life: current suffering (thlipsis) for faith, participation in Christ's inaugurated reign (basileia), and the active steadfastness (hypomonē) required to navigate both. It suggests suffering is not contrary to the kingdom but a pathway within it, necessitating endurance.
• "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus": This phrase succinctly explains John's exile. It signifies his unwavering loyalty to divine truth and Christ's person and mission, implying that proclaiming these truths incurs opposition from the world system. This serves to commend the persecuted for holding fast to these same principles.

Revelation 1 9 Bonus section

The concept of Patmos as a penal colony underscores the severity of Roman persecution. However, it also signifies God's transformative power; a place of banishment became a place of divine encounter and profound revelation, much like wilderness experiences for Old Testament prophets (e.g., Moses, Elijah). The shared nature of suffering ("our suffering") builds collective resilience and validates John's prophetic voice. It implies that true Christian discipleship often includes external pressures, but these pressures do not negate, rather they highlight, the believers' current spiritual reign and future inheritance in Christ. The continuous linking of suffering, kingdom, and endurance is a foundational theological theme throughout Revelation, assuring believers that their present tribulations are a temporary path leading to enduring glory.

Revelation 1 9 Commentary

Revelation 1:9 serves as John's profound self-introduction, contextualizing the origin of the Revelation not in serene contemplation, but in a crucible of suffering for faith. John, writing from exile on Patmos, intentionally identifies with his audience as a "brother and companion." This empathetic framing establishes a shared ground of hardship and divine purpose. The phrase "in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus" encapsulates the challenging yet hope-filled reality for early Christians. It asserts that suffering (thlipsis) is a current experience for believers, but not a final one, as they already partake in Christ's present reign (basileia). Navigating this paradox demands steadfast endurance (hypomonē), which is enabled solely through their union with Jesus. John's banishment to Patmos "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" directly connects his predicament to their own struggles for holding firm to Christ's truth, affirming the divine validity and urgent relevance of the revelation about to unfold. He models faithfulness under duress, inviting readers to persevere through their own tribulations with the assurance of their current kingdom status and ultimate triumph in Christ.