Revelation 20:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.

Complete Jewish Bible:

(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first resurrection.

Berean Standard Bible:

The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection.

American Standard Version:

The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But{G1161} the rest{G3062} of the dead{G3498} lived{G326} not{G3756} again{G326} until{G2193} the thousand{G5507} years{G2094} were finished{G5055}. This{G3778} is the first{G4413} resurrection{G386}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Philippians 3:11

  • If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Luke 14:14

  • And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Ezekiel 37:2

  • And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, [there were] very many in the open valley; and, lo, [they were] very dry.

Ezekiel 37:14

  • And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

Revelation 11:15

  • And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Romans 11:15

  • For if the casting away of them [be] the reconciling of the world, what [shall] the receiving [of them be], but life from the dead?

Revelation 11:11

  • And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

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Commentary for Revelation 20:5



Revelation 20:5 is a verse from the New Testament's Book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by vivid symbolism and visions of the end times. The verse is part of a larger passage (Revelation 20:1-6) that describes the binding of Satan for a thousand years and the reign of Christ with the souls of the beheaded saints who had refused to worship the beast or its image.

The specific verse, Revelation 20:5, speaks to the concept of the "first resurrection," a belief held within Christian eschatology that certain individuals will be resurrected to reign with Christ during this millennial period. The text indicates that those who participate in this first resurrection are blessed and holy, and they will not be subject to the second death, which is typically interpreted as eternal separation from God. The verse also contrasts this group with "the rest of the dead," who do not come to life until the thousand years are completed. This distinction implies a dual resurrection: one for the righteous at the beginning of the millennium and another for the wicked afterward.

Historically, this verse has been central to the development of millennialist theology, which includes various interpretations of the nature and timing of Christ's thousand-year reign on earth. Premillennialists believe that Christ will physically return to establish this kingdom, while postmillennialists interpret the thousand years as a symbolic period of Christian dominance preceding Christ's return. Amillennialists view the millennium as a present reality, representing the period between Christ's ascension and his second coming, with the "first resurrection" symbolizing spiritual rebirth.

In summary, Revelation 20:5 is a key verse in the eschatological narrative of the Book of Revelation, emphasizing a selective resurrection of the righteous to rule with Christ and the subsequent general resurrection of all the dead. This verse has fueled extensive theological debate and has significantly shaped Christian end-times beliefs.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G1161
    There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: δέ
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: deh
    Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
  2. Strong's Number: G3062
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: λοιποί
    Transliteration: loipoí
    Pronunciation: loy-poy'
    Description: masculine plural of a derivative of λείπω; remaining ones:--other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.
  3. Strong's Number: G3498
    There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: νεκρός
    Transliteration: nekrós
    Pronunciation: nek-ros'
    Description: from an apparently primary (a corpse); dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun):--dead.
  4. Strong's Number: G326
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀναζάω
    Transliteration: anazáō
    Pronunciation: an-ad-zah'-o
    Description: from ἀνά and ζάω; to recover life (literally or figuratively):--(be a-)live again, revive.
  5. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
  6. Strong's Number: G2193
    There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἕως
    Transliteration: héōs
    Pronunciation: heh'-oce
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place):--even (until, unto), (as) far (as), how long, (un-)til(-l), (hither-, un-, up) to, while(-s).
  7. Strong's Number: G5507
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χίλιοι
    Transliteration: chílioi
    Pronunciation: khil'-ee-oy
    Description: plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand:--thousand.
  8. Strong's Number: G2094
    There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔτος
    Transliteration: étos
    Pronunciation: et'-os
    Description: apparently a primary word; a year:--year.
  9. Strong's Number: G5055
    There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: τελέω
    Transliteration: teléō
    Pronunciation: tel-eh'-o
    Description: from τέλος; to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt):--accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.
  10. Strong's Number: G3778
    There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὗτος
    Transliteration: hoûtos
    Pronunciation: how'-tahee
    Description: from the article ὁ and αὐτός; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.
  11. Strong's Number: G4413
    There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πρῶτος
    Transliteration: prōtos
    Pronunciation: pro'-tos
    Description: contracted superlative of πρό; foremost (in time, place, order or importance):--before, beginning, best, chief(-est), first (of all), former.
  12. Strong's Number: G386
    There are 189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀνάστασις
    Transliteration: anástasis
    Pronunciation: an-as'-tas-is
    Description: from ἀνίστημι; a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive case or by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth):--raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead, that should rise, rising again.