Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Who {G3739} bare record {G3140} of the word {G3056} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} of the testimony {G3141} of Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, and {G5037} of all things {G3745} that he saw {G1492}.
who bore witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah, as much as he saw.
who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
-
1 Corinthians 1:6
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: -
John 21:24
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. -
Revelation 12:17
And 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 19:35
And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. -
1 John 1:1
¶ That 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; -
Revelation 1:19
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; -
Revelation 1:9
¶ I 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 1:2 (KJV) introduces the faithful witness behind the apocalyptic visions recorded in the book. This verse clarifies the source and nature of the revelation received by John, emphasizing its divine origin and his role as a reliable recorder.
Context
This verse immediately follows Revelation 1:1, which identifies the book as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" given to His servant John. Here, John states that he "bare record," meaning he faithfully documented what he received and saw. This establishes his credibility as the human author and messenger. John, likely exiled on the island of Patmos for his faith, was tasked with writing down these profound prophecies for the early church.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "bare record" comes from the Greek verb emartyresen (μαρτυρέω), meaning "to bear witness" or "to testify." This root gives us the English word "martyr," someone who bears witness even unto death. John's role here is that of a faithful witness, attesting to the truth of what he has received and seen. The "testimony of Jesus Christ" (Greek: martyrian Iesou Christou) can be understood both as the testimony *about* Jesus and the testimony *from* Jesus. In the context of Revelation, it primarily refers to the revelation that Jesus Himself delivers, making Him the ultimate source of the prophetic message.
Practical Application
Revelation 1:2 reminds us of the profound privilege and responsibility of receiving and transmitting God's truth. Just as John faithfully recorded what was revealed to him, believers today are called to be faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This verse also underscores the importance of the Bible as God's inspired Word, a reliable record of divine revelation that we can trust for understanding God's plan and purpose, both past and future. It encourages us to approach the book of Revelation not as a mere human composition, but as a divinely given message with profound implications for our lives and the world.