Revelation 1:2

Authorized King James Version

Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὃς
G3739
Who
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#2
ἐμαρτύρησεν
G3140
bare record
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
#3
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
λόγον
G3056
of the word
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
#5
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
θεοῦ
G2316
of God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#7
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
μαρτυρίαν
G3141
of the testimony
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
#10
Ἰησοῦ
G2424
of Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#11
Χριστοῦ
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#12
ὅσα
G3745
of all things
as (much, great, long, etc.) as
#13
τε
G5037
and
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
#14
εἶδεν
G1492
that he saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

Analysis

This verse is part of John's apocalyptic vision of the glorified Christ. The symbolism connects to Old Testament prophetic tradition, particularly from Daniel and Ezekiel, while revealing Christ's divine nature and authority. The imagery of of jesus christ, and contributes to the overall majestic portrayal.

Historical Context

Written during a time of imperial persecution under Domitian, this vision would have encouraged believers to remain faithful despite opposition. The apocalyptic imagery draws on Jewish prophetic traditions while speaking to the specific challenges faced by first-century Christians in Asia Minor.

Questions for Reflection