Revelation 22:16

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, [and] the bright and morning star.

I {G1473} Jesus {G2424} have sent {G3992} mine {G3450} angel {G32} to testify {G3140} unto you {G5213} these things {G5023} in {G1909} the churches {G1577}. I {G1473} am {G1510} the root {G4491} and {G2532} the offspring {G1085} of David {G1138}, and the bright {G2986} and {G2532} morning {G3720} star {G792}.

“I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the Messianic communities. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.

Revelation 22:16 serves as a powerful, direct affirmation from Jesus Christ Himself, concluding the prophetic messages of the book of Revelation. In this verse, Jesus authenticates the entire revelation given to John, emphasizing His unique identity and authority as both the promised Messiah and the glorious herald of a new age.

Context

This verse appears near the very end of the Bible, in the final chapter of Revelation. It is a direct address from Jesus, following His declaration that He is coming quickly (Revelation 22:12). This personal testimony underscores the divine origin and reliability of all the visions and prophecies John recorded. The message is specifically intended for "the churches," highlighting the universal relevance and urgency of Revelation's teachings for all believers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authentication: Jesus explicitly states, "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches." This confirms that the entire Book of Revelation is a direct communication from Christ Himself, delivered through His angel to His people. It ensures that the prophecies are not human speculation but divine truth. This echoes the book's opening verses, establishing its authoritative source.
  • Jesus' Messianic Identity (Root and Offspring of David): This title encapsulates Jesus' dual nature and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
    • "The Root of David" signifies Jesus' divine pre-existence and His being the ultimate source and foundation of David's lineage, even preceding David. He is the divine origin from which David's royal line springs, asserting His eternality and sovereignty.
    • "The Offspring of David" confirms His humanity and His direct descent from King David according to the flesh, fulfilling prophecies that the Messiah would come from David's line (Isaiah 11:1, Romans 1:3). This title establishes His rightful claim to the Davidic throne and His role as the eternal King.
  • Jesus' Glorious Preeminence (Bright and Morning Star): This beautiful title speaks to Jesus' glory, beauty, and His role as the herald of a new day.
    • The "morning star" (often identified with the planet Venus) is the last and brightest star visible before the sun rises, signaling the end of night and the imminent dawn. In this context, Jesus is the ultimate light, dispelling darkness and announcing the coming of His glorious kingdom and the new creation.
    • This imagery connects to ancient prophecies, such as Numbers 24:17 ("a Star shall come out of Jacob"), and assures believers that just as the morning star guarantees the sunrise, so too does Jesus guarantee the dawning of His everlasting reign and the fulfillment of all His promises.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "Root and Offspring of David" is hē riza kai to genos tou Dauid. Riza (root) emphasizes ultimate origin, while genos (offspring, race, family) highlights lineage. The phrase "Bright and Morning Star" is ho astēr ho lampros ho prōinos. Lampros means "bright, shining," and prōinos means "of the morning." This combination powerfully conveys His radiant glory and His role as the harbinger of a new era, similar to the "day star" in 2 Peter 1:19.

Practical Application

Revelation 22:16 offers profound assurance and a call to worship. Believers can rest in the certainty that the prophetic words of Revelation are from Jesus Himself, providing comfort in times of tribulation and hope for the future. This verse reminds us that Jesus is sovereign over all history, past, present, and future. He is the promised King, the Light that overcomes all darkness, and the ultimate hope for humanity. His identity as the "Bright and Morning Star" inspires us to eagerly await His return, knowing that His appearing will usher in eternal day and the full realization of God's kingdom.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 5:5

    And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

  • 2 Peter 1:19

    ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

  • Isaiah 11:1

    ¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

  • Revelation 1:4

    John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

  • Romans 1:3

    Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

  • Romans 1:4

    And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

  • Revelation 22:20

    ¶ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

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