Revelation 1:2
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
Who
G3739
ὃς
Who
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐμαρτύρησεν
bare record
G3140
ἐμαρτύρησεν
bare record
Strong's:
G3140
Word #:
2 of 14
to be a witness, i.e., testify (literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγον
of the word
G3056
λόγον
of the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
4 of 14
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
6 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυρίαν
of the testimony
G3141
μαρτυρίαν
of the testimony
Strong's:
G3141
Word #:
9 of 14
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
of Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
10 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:Revelation 12:17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.John 19:35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.1 John 1:1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;John 21:24This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.Revelation 1:9I 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 1:19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;Acts 26:16But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;John 12:17The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.Revelation 6:9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Historical Context
Written circa AD 95 during John's exile on Patmos under Domitian's persecution. As the last surviving apostle, John's eyewitness testimony carried unique weight for second-generation Christians facing imperial persecution. His dual role as Gospel writer and apocalyptic prophet unified the church's understanding of Christ's past work and future return.
Questions for Reflection
- How does John's faithful witness even in exile encourage your own testimony in difficult circumstances?
- What does the triple emphasis (Word, testimony, things seen) teach about the comprehensive nature of God's revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John's role as faithful witness establishes the apostolic authority behind Revelation's visions. The Greek 'emarturēsen' (bore witness) emphasizes John's firsthand testimony of Christ's resurrection and ministry, now extended to include these prophetic visions. This triple witness—the Word of God, the testimony of Jesus, and all things seen—forms a complete foundation for the book's authority. Reformed theology emphasizes Scripture's sufficiency, and John's careful attestation underscores that these visions carry divine authority equal to the Gospel accounts.