Revelation 22 16

Revelation 22:16 kjv

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Revelation 22:16 nkjv

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

Revelation 22:16 niv

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Revelation 22:16 esv

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

Revelation 22:16 nlt

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star."

Revelation 22 verses

Revelation 22 16 Meaning

Revelation 22:16 presents a direct, authoritative declaration by Jesus Christ, confirming His identity and the divine origin and purpose of the prophecies revealed in the book of Revelation. He states that He personally dispatched His angel to John, not for John's benefit alone, but specifically so that these vital truths could be communicated to the churches. Jesus then reaffirms His Messianic titles, asserting His divine pre-existence as the very source from whom David's lineage originates ("the Root of David"), and simultaneously His human descendant role ("the Offspring of David"). Conclusively, He identifies Himself as "the Bright and Morning Star," a majestic title signifying His glorious return, divine radiance, and His role as the herald of a new age, triumphing over all darkness.

Revelation 22 16 Context

Revelation 22:16 falls within the final closing sections of the book of Revelation, serving as a powerful concluding attestation directly from Jesus Christ Himself. Chapters 21 and 22 depict the culmination of God's redemptive plan: the New Heavens and New Earth, the New Jerusalem descending, the removal of all suffering and sin, and the eternal dwelling of God with His people.

Specifically, verse 16 follows a series of final blessings (v. 7, 12, 14), warnings against altering the prophecy (v. 18-19), and urgent invitations (v. 17). It stands as Jesus' personal endorsement and verification of all the prophecies and truths revealed within the book, ensuring that the recipients (the churches) understand the divine authority behind these crucial messages.

Historically and culturally, John wrote Revelation from exile on the island of Patmos during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian. The churches were grappling with external pressures (persecution, emperor worship) and internal challenges (heresy, compromise). This verse directly confronts the prevailing culture by unequivocally proclaiming Jesus as the ultimate authority, the true King and source of all hope, in stark contrast to the false claims of emperors or other deities. It bolsters the faith of believers, affirming that their allegiance to Jesus, the true "Bright and Morning Star," will ultimately lead to triumph over the "darkness" of worldly powers and systems. It also firmly grounds the Christian faith in the fulfilled promises made to ancient Israel, particularly concerning the Messiah from David's lineage.

Revelation 22 16 Word analysis

• I, Jesus: (Greek: ἐγὼ Ἰησοῦς, egō Iēsous) – The pronoun "I" is emphatic in Greek, signifying a direct, personal, and authoritative declaration. This is a deliberate self-identification by the risen Christ, establishing His supreme authority as the speaker and source of the entire revelation. It removes any ambiguity about who is making these crucial final statements.
• have sent: (Greek: ἔπεμψα, epempsa) – An active verb indicating a specific, intentional, and completed action. Jesus took the initiative to dispatch His messenger.
• My angel: (Greek: τὸν ἄγγελόν μου, ton angelon mou) – "Angel" (ἄγγελος, angelos) means messenger. This phrase emphasizes the hierarchical chain of revelation, originating from God, channeled through Jesus, delivered by His angel to John (Rev 1:1). The angel acts as an authorized intermediary, bearing Jesus' specific commission.
• to testify: (Greek: μαρτυρῆσαι, martyrēsai) – To bear witness, to affirm the truth of something, often with the implication of legal or authoritative validation. This underlines the reliability and truthfulness of the prophecy. The entire Revelation is a divine testimony.
• to you: Referring to John, the immediate recipient, as the vessel through whom the message passes.
• about these things: Encompassing the entirety of the prophetic revelations within the book of Revelation, especially the things concerning future events and the New Jerusalem.
• for the churches: (Greek: ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις, tais ekklēsiais) – The ultimate intended audience. The Greek word ekklesia refers to the assembly or congregation of believers. This clarifies that the Revelation was given not for mere curiosity but as a direct message of instruction, encouragement, and warning to God's people dispersed in local congregations.
• I am: (Greek: ἐγώ εἰμι, egō eimi) – Another powerful self-designation by Jesus, reminiscent of God's self-revelation to Moses as "I AM" (Ex 3:14). It signifies His eternal existence, unchanging nature, and divine sovereignty.
• the Root: (Greek: ἡ ῥίζα, hē rhiza) – A profound messianic title drawing from Isa 11:1, 10 (Root of Jesse/David). It indicates Jesus as the source, origin, or foundation from which David and his lineage derived their existence and purpose, not merely a descendant. He is the pre-existent, divine cause.
• and the Offspring: (Greek: καὶ τὸ γένος, kai to genos) – Means "descendant," "lineage," or "progeny." This complements "Root," emphasizing His fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam 7:12-16; Rom 1:3). Jesus is both the divine source and the human fulfillment of David's line, signifying His complete identity as God incarnate and the true Messiah.
• of David: (Greek: Δαβίδ, Dabid) – Refers to King David, whose kingdom and throne were promised to endure forever through a descendant. This ties Jesus directly to the prophetic expectations of the Messiah arising from David's royal lineage.
• the Bright: (Greek: ὁ λαμπρός, ho lampros) – Shining, brilliant, radiant, splendid. Conveys visual glory, purity, and magnificence.
• and Morning Star: (Greek: ἀστὴρ ὁ πρωϊνός, astēr ho prōinos) – The brightest star visible before sunrise, heralding the new day. This is a multifaceted title:
  • Polemically: It counters any claims of Satan as a "day star" (Isa 14:12) or the Roman emperor as "lord of the dawn." Jesus is the true divine light and sovereign.
  • Eschatologically: It signifies Jesus as the harbinger of a new era—the dawn of His glorious reign and the full establishment of the new creation. Just as the morning star dispels night, Jesus' return dispels all darkness and sorrow.
  • Symbolically: A star from Jacob (Num 24:17) signifying His royalty, leadership, and brilliance. It emphasizes hope, clarity, and victory over the gloom of the present age.

Revelation 22 16 Bonus section

The positioning of this self-attestation by Jesus, almost at the very end of the prophetic scroll, serves as a crucial seal of authenticity and a final authoritative witness. Before the concluding blessings, curses against tampering with the message, and the urgent invitation to come, Jesus provides His irrefutable credentials. It reinforces the theological truth that Christ Himself is the interpreter and guarantor of prophecy, bringing coherence and finality to all of God's redemptive history. This verse also carries strong implications for the trustworthiness and infallibility of the entire New Testament canon, as the One who is the source and subject of the biblical narrative is the One providing His personal validation for its content. It reminds believers that Jesus is not a distant figure but an active participant and the ultimate authority over all things, confirming His dominion over past, present, and future.

Revelation 22 16 Commentary

Revelation 22:16 is a definitive Christological statement, serving as a signature from the Divine Author Himself for the entire book of Revelation. Jesus' declaration, "I, Jesus, have sent My angel," underscores His active involvement and supreme authority in transmitting this vital prophecy. It's a personal guarantee of the message's veracity, indicating that this revelation is not merely a human interpretation of visions, but a divinely commissioned truth.

His subsequent self-identification, "I am the Root and the Offspring of David," presents a profound paradox that captures the essence of Christ's nature. As the "Root," He transcends David in terms of origin, existing before David and being the ultimate source from which David himself sprang, implying His deity and eternality. Yet, as the "Offspring," He affirms His genuine humanity and direct fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, connecting Him unequivocally to Israel's messianic hopes. This dual claim cements His credentials as both eternal God and incarnate Savior, the only One worthy to fulfill all prophecy.

Finally, "the Bright and Morning Star" evokes a rich tapestry of biblical imagery. It portrays Jesus as the luminous herald of God's eternal day, dispelling the darkness of sin, suffering, and judgment. Just as the morning star announces the imminent sunrise, Jesus' advent signals the dawn of His glorious kingdom, marking Him as the supreme light and the definitive hope for all believers. This title stands in sharp contrast to false light or human darkness, establishing His exclusive preeminence and radiant glory. This verse is, therefore, a compact summary of Jesus' identity, authority, and ultimate purpose—a foundational assurance for His church.