Revelation 1:17

KJV

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when {G3753} I saw {G1492} him {G846}, I fell {G4098} at {G4314} his {G846} feet {G4228} as {G5613} dead {G3498}. And {G2532} he laid {G2007} his {G846} right {G1188} hand {G5495} upon {G1909} me {G1691}, saying {G3004} unto me {G3427}, Fear {G5399} not {G3361}; I {G1473} am {G1510} the first {G4413} and {G2532} the last {G2078}:

Complete Jewish Bible

When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand upon me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last,

Berean Standard Bible

When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

American Standard Version

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 1:17 records John's overwhelming response to the glorious vision of the resurrected Christ, causing him to collapse as if dead. In this moment of profound human frailty and awe, the Lord Jesus extends a comforting hand, reassures John with the command "Fear not," and profoundly declares His eternal, sovereign identity as "the first and the last," establishing His ultimate authority over all creation and history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following John's initial encounter with the resurrected and glorified Son of Man in [Revelation 1:12-16](/revelation/1-12-16 "Revelation 1:12-16 - The Vision of the Son of Man"). John has just described Christ's awe-inspiring appearance, replete with symbolic imagery: eyes like a flame of fire, feet like burnished bronze, a sharp two-edged sword proceeding from His mouth, and a face shining like the sun. John, who once leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper, is now confronted with a divine majesty that utterly transcends any earthly familiarity. His immediate and visceral reaction of falling "as dead" is a natural human response to such an overwhelming manifestation of divine holiness and power, setting the stage for the revelatory message that Christ is about to impart.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John, exiled to the island of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus ([Revelation 1:9](/revelation/1-9 "Revelation 1:9 - John on Patmos")), receives this vision during a period of intense persecution for early Christians under the Roman Empire, likely during the reign of Emperor Domitian (c. AD 95). In the Greco-Roman world, emperor worship was increasingly enforced, and refusal to participate often led to severe consequences. Against this backdrop of imperial power and human vulnerability, Christ's appearance and declaration of ultimate sovereignty would have been profoundly significant and counter-cultural. The gesture of laying on the right hand was a common practice in the ancient Near East, signifying blessing, healing, commissioning, or the imparting of authority and comfort.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 1:17 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully underscores the **Divine Majesty and Sovereignty of Christ**, demonstrating that the glorified Jesus is not merely a historical figure but the eternal, all-powerful Lord. John's reaction highlights the **Human Frailty in the Presence of God**, a recurring motif throughout Scripture where prophets and individuals collapse before divine glory (e.g., [Daniel 8:17](/daniel/8-17 "Daniel's Vision and Collapse") and [Ezekiel 1:28](/ekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glory")). Crucially, the verse introduces the theme of **Divine Comfort and Reassurance**, as Christ immediately extends grace and dispels fear, a pattern seen throughout biblical encounters where God initiates communication after revealing His power (e.g., [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - God's Promise to Israel") and [Luke 1:30](/luke/1-30 "Luke 1:30 - Gabriel's Message to Mary")). Finally, Christ's declaration "I am the first and the last" establishes His **Eternal Pre-eminence and Deity**, a title echoing Yahweh's self-declaration in the Old Testament, thus affirming Jesus' co-equality with God the Father and His ultimate control over all history and destiny.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Greek, _phobéō_):** This verb means to frighten, to be alarmed, or by analogy, to be in awe of or revere. In this context, John's "fear" is not merely terror but a profound, overwhelming awe in the presence of divine majesty, leading to physical collapse. Christ's command "Fear not" is a divine imperative to calm this natural human response, enabling John to receive the revelation.
* **I am (Greek, _egṓ eimí_):** This phrase, combining the emphatic first-person pronoun (G1473) and the verb "to be" (G1510), is a direct echo of the divine self-designation "I AM" from the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name Revealed")). When Jesus uses this phrase, especially in conjunction with "the first and the last," He is unequivocally asserting His eternal, self-existent deity and co-equality with God the Father.
* **First (Greek, _prōtos_):** This adjective denotes foremost in time, place, order, or importance. In the context of "the first and the last," it signifies Christ's absolute priority and pre-existence before all creation, as well as His supreme importance and authority.
* **Last (Greek, _éschatos_):** This superlative adjective means farthest, final, or uttermost, referring to both place and time. Coupled with "first," it emphasizes Christ's ultimate finality, His role as the consummation of all things, and His enduring reign beyond all temporal boundaries. Together, "the first and the last" convey His absolute, eternal sovereignty over all existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead."**: John's physical collapse is a visceral and authentic human response to the overwhelming glory and power of the glorified Christ. It signifies profound reverence, humility, and the stark realization of human frailty in the face of divine holiness. The phrase "as dead" emphasizes the complete incapacitation and awe that seized him.
* **"And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me,"**: This action is a tender yet authoritative gesture. The "right hand" (G1188, _dexiós_) often symbolizes power, blessing, and authority. Christ's touch is an act of divine comfort, healing, and commissioning, immediately preceding His words of reassurance and revelation.
* **"Fear not;"**: This is a direct command from Christ, a recurring divine utterance throughout Scripture when God or His messengers appear to humans in a terrifying manner. It serves to calm John's overwhelming fear, preparing him to receive the profound truths that follow and to fulfill the prophetic task assigned to him.
* **"I am the first and the last:"**: This is a profound declaration of Christ's eternal, self-existent, and sovereign nature. It is a divine title, explicitly used by Yahweh in the Old Testament, asserting Christ's absolute pre-eminence, His existence before all creation, and His ultimate authority over all things, including the beginning and end of history.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 1:17 employs several potent **Literary Devices**. John's description of falling "as dead" is a form of **Hyperbole**, vividly conveying the overwhelming impact of Christ's glory on a mortal human, emphasizing the chasm between divine majesty and human frailty. The act of Christ laying His **Right Hand** upon John is rich in **Symbolism**, representing comfort, blessing, healing, and the imparting of authority or commissioning, a gesture understood in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Most significantly, Christ's declaration, "I am the first and the last," is a powerful **Allusion** to Old Testament divine self-declarations (e.g., [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God as First and Last")). This **Theological Claim** asserts Christ's eternal, self-existent nature and His absolute sovereignty over all creation and history, functioning as a foundational statement of His deity that underpinning the entire prophetic message of Revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 1:17 profoundly establishes the absolute deity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ, echoing Old Testament declarations of God's eternal nature. John's prostration before the glorified Christ underscores the vast chasm between human finitude and divine majesty, a common biblical theme when mortals encounter the unveiled presence of God. Yet, the immediate gesture of comfort and the command "Fear not" reveal Christ's compassionate pastoral heart, assuring His servant that His overwhelming power is not meant to terrify but to empower and reassure for the task ahead. The declaration "I am the first and the last" is a direct claim to the divine attribute of eternality and ultimate authority, positioning Christ as the Alpha and Omega of all existence, the one who initiates and consummates all things, thereby providing an unshakable foundation for the unfolding prophecies of Revelation.

* [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - Yahweh as the First and the Last")
* [Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Christ as Alpha and Omega")
* [Daniel 10:8-10](/daniel/10-8-10 "Daniel's Vision and Divine Touch")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 1:17 offers a profound invitation to both reverence and reassurance. John's immediate and overwhelming response to Christ's glory reminds us of the infinite holiness and majesty of our Lord. It calls us to cultivate a deep sense of awe and humility in our worship and daily walk, recognizing that we serve a God whose power and glory far exceed our comprehension. Yet, the tender act of Christ laying His right hand upon John and His immediate command, "Fear not," speaks volumes about His compassionate heart. In moments of overwhelming circumstances, fear, or uncertainty, we are reminded that the same all-powerful Lord who reigns supreme also draws near with comfort and reassurance. His declaration, "I am the first and the last," anchors our hope and trust; He is sovereign over all history, from its origin to its ultimate culmination. Therefore, we can face life's challenges, even apocalyptic ones, with courage, knowing that our eternal, unchanging Lord holds all things in His capable hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does John's reaction to the glorified Christ challenge or affirm your own understanding of God's majesty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to hear Christ's "Fear not" today, and how does His identity as "the first and the last" provide comfort?**
* **How does understanding Christ's ultimate sovereignty (as "the first and the last") impact your perspective on current events or future uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**Why did John fall "as dead" when he saw Jesus?**

Answer: John's reaction of falling "as dead" is a common biblical response to encountering the unveiled, overwhelming glory and holiness of God. It signifies profound awe, reverence, and the stark realization of human frailty and sinfulness in the presence of divine majesty. This is not merely fear of punishment, but a deep, incapacitating sense of unworthiness and the immense power of the divine, as seen in other biblical encounters like [Daniel 8:17](/daniel/8-17 "Daniel's Reaction to a Heavenly Vision") and [Ezekiel 1:28](/ezekiel/1-28 "Ezekiel's Encounter with God's Glory"). It underscores that even a beloved disciple like John could not casually stand before the glorified Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 1:17 powerfully unveils the glorified Christ, revealing Him not merely as the historical Jesus, but as the eternal, sovereign Lord who fulfills all Old Testament prophecies and divine attributes. His declaration, "I am the first and the last," directly echoes the self-identification of Yahweh in [Isaiah 44:6](/isaiah/44-6 "Isaiah 44:6 - God as First and Last") and [Isaiah 48:12](/isaiah/48-12 "Isaiah 48:12 - God's Eternal Nature"), unequivocally asserting His co-equality and shared deity with God the Father. This title signifies His pre-existence before all creation ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word in the Beginning")), His ultimate authority over all history and destiny, and His role as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all things ([Revelation 22:13](/revelation/22-13 "Revelation 22:13 - Christ as Alpha and Omega")). The comforting touch of His right hand and the command "Fear not" foreshadow His ultimate victory over sin and death, assuring believers that the one who holds all authority ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")) is also their compassionate Savior, who has overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")) and promises His abiding presence ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to Be With Us")) even amidst the most terrifying visions of the end times.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the first, and I [am] the last; and beside me [there is] no God.

Revelation 22:13

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

Daniel 10:8

Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

Daniel 10:10

¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands.

Daniel 8:17

So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.

Daniel 8:18

Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Isaiah 41:4

Who hath wrought and done [it], calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I [am] he.