Revelation 1:5

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,

And {G2532} from {G575} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, who is the faithful {G4103} witness {G3144}, and the first begotten {G4416} of {G1537} the dead {G3498}, and {G2532} the prince {G758} of the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093}. Unto him that loved {G25} us {G2248}, and {G2532} washed {G3068} us {G2248} from {G575} our {G2257} sins {G266} in {G1722} his own {G846} blood {G129},

and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the earth’s kings.

To him, the one who loves us, who has freed us from our sins at the cost of his blood,

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,

and from Jesus Christ, who isthe faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;

Commentary

Revelation 1:5 introduces Jesus Christ with three profound and powerful titles, followed by two central actions that define His relationship with humanity. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of Christ's identity and His redemptive work, setting the stage for the dramatic prophecies that follow in the Book of Revelation.

Context

This verse is part of the opening salutation of the Book of Revelation, a divine revelation given to John on the island of Patmos. After blessing those who read and keep the words of the prophecy (Revelation 1:3), John directs attention to the source of this grace and peace: God the Father, the seven spirits, and critically, Jesus Christ. The description of Jesus here is not merely a formality but a theological cornerstone, emphasizing His authority and accomplishments before delving into the visions of the end times.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Faithful Witness: Jesus is presented as the ultimate revealer of God's truth. He perfectly testified to the Father's will and character during His earthly ministry, even unto death. This title underscores His reliability and the veracity of the prophecies He imparts. He is the truth embodied, as He declared in John 14:6.
  • The First Begotten of the Dead: This title highlights Jesus' unique and preeminent status as the first to conquer death and rise to an immortal, glorified life. His resurrection is not just an event but a foundational truth of Christian faith, guaranteeing the resurrection of all believers. This affirms His victory over sin and death, making Him the source of new life (Colossians 1:18).
  • The Prince of the Kings of the Earth: This declares Jesus' supreme sovereignty and ultimate authority over all earthly rulers, governments, and powers. Despite appearances, He is the true King who orchestrates history and will ultimately establish His eternal kingdom. This title foreshadows His final triumph and reign, a recurring theme throughout Revelation (Daniel 7:14).
  • His Unconditional Love and Redemptive Work: The phrase "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" points directly to the core of the Gospel. Jesus' love (agape, a self-sacrificial love) motivated His willingness to shed His blood on the cross, providing atonement and cleansing for humanity's sins. This act of redemption is the basis for peace and reconciliation with God, highlighting the profound personal impact of His sacrifice on believers (Ephesians 1:7).

Linguistic Insights

The term "first begotten" (Greek: prototokos) in "first begotten of the dead" signifies not merely being the first in time, but also the first in rank and preeminence. It emphasizes Jesus' supreme position as the one who pioneered the path from death to life, setting the pattern for all who follow Him. The phrase "washed us from our sins in his own blood" uses a vivid image of purification, underscoring the completeness and efficacy of Christ's sacrificial death in providing forgiveness and spiritual cleansing.

Practical Application

Revelation 1:5 offers immense comfort and assurance. Knowing Jesus Christ as the faithful witness means we can trust His words and the prophecies He reveals. As the first begotten of the dead, He guarantees our future resurrection and victory over death. And as the Prince of the kings of the earth, we can rest in His ultimate control over all world events, even amidst chaos and tribulation. Most importantly, His act of loving us and washing away our sins in His blood reminds us of the profound personal relationship we have with Him, rooted in His sacrifice. This should inspire worship, gratitude, and confidence in His unfailing love and power.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 89:27 (46 votes)

    Also I will make him [my] firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

  • Hebrews 9:14 (37 votes)

    How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

  • 1 John 1:7 (35 votes)

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • Revelation 17:14 (31 votes)

    ¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

  • Colossians 1:18 (26 votes)

    And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.

  • 1 Peter 1:19 (24 votes)

    But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

  • Acts 26:23 (20 votes)

    That Christ should suffer, [and] that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.