Revelation 1:5

Authorized King James Version

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,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἀπὸ
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#3
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#4
Χριστοῦ
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
#5
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
μάρτυς
witness
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
#7
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
πιστός
who is the faithful
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
#9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
πρωτότοκος
and the first begotten
first-born (usually as noun, literally or figuratively)
#11
ἐκ
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#12
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
νεκρῶν
the dead
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
#14
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
ἄρχων
the prince
a first (in rank or power)
#17
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#18
βασιλέων
of the kings
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
#19
τῆς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
γῆς
of the earth
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
#21
Τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#22
ἀγαπήσαντι
G25
Unto him that loved
to love (in a social or moral sense)
#23
ἡμᾶς
us
us
#24
καὶ
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#25
λούσαντι
washed
to bathe (the whole person; whereas g3538 means to wet a part only, and g4150 to wash, cleanse garments exclusively)
#26
ἡμᾶς
us
us
#27
ἀπὸ
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#28
τῶν
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
ἁμαρτιῶν
sins
a sin (properly abstract)
#30
ἡμῶν
our
of (or from) us
#31
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#32
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#33
αἵματι
blood
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
#34
αὐτοῦ
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

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 him that loved 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