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Revelation 1:17

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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:

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}:

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,

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,

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

Revelation 1:17 (KJV) captures a pivotal moment in John's apocalyptic vision on the island of Patmos. After beholding the awe-inspiring, glorified Son of Man, John's natural human reaction is one of overwhelming reverence and fear, causing him to collapse as if dead.

Context of the Vision

This verse follows John's detailed description of the majestic and formidable appearance of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16. John, a beloved disciple who once leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper, is now confronted with a divine majesty that transcends any earthly familiarity. His reaction — falling as dead — is a common response to profound divine encounters in biblical history, demonstrating the immense power and holiness of God (e.g., Daniel 8:17, Ezekiel 1:28).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Majesty and Human Frailty: John's collapse underscores the vast chasm between human weakness and divine glory. It's a powerful reminder that even the most intimate follower of Christ cannot stand casually in the presence of His unveiled majesty.
  • Comfort and Reassurance: The laying on of the right hand is a tender gesture of comfort and authority, often associated with blessing, healing, or commissioning. Christ's immediate command, "Fear not," is a recurring theme throughout Scripture when God or His messengers appear to humans (Isaiah 41:10, Luke 1:30). It signifies that despite His overwhelming power, Christ's intention is not to terrify but to comfort and empower His servant for the task ahead.
  • Christ's Eternal Sovereignty: The declaration "I am the first and the last" is a profound statement of Christ's eternal nature and unique deity. This title is explicitly used by God Himself in the Old Testament (Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12). By claiming this title, Jesus affirms His co-equality with God the Father, His existence before all creation, and His ultimate authority over all things, including the future events revealed in the Book of Revelation. This declaration is repeated later in the book, emphasizing His ultimate dominion (Revelation 22:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the first and the last" translates from the Greek ho protos kai ho eschatos (ὁ πρῶτος καὶ ὁ ἔσχατος). This title emphasizes not merely chronological priority and finality, but absolute supremacy and eternality. It conveys that Christ is the beginning and end of all things, the source and ultimate goal of creation and history.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 1:17 offers both a sobering reminder and profound comfort. It reminds us of the awesome holiness of Christ, inspiring reverence and a proper understanding of our place before Him. Yet, it also reassures us that this all-powerful Lord reaches out with comfort and a "Fear not" to those who are overwhelmed. His ultimate authority ("the first and the last") means that He is in control of all circumstances, past, present, and future, offering hope and stability in a chaotic world. We can trust His sovereign plan as revealed throughout the prophetic book.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 44:6 (17 votes)

    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 (14 votes)

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

  • Daniel 10:8 (14 votes)

    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 (14 votes)

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

  • Daniel 8:17 (10 votes)

    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 (10 votes)

    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 (9 votes)

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