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,
Study Note
Study Note
The doxology addresses Christ as 'the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth' — three titles drawn from Psalm 89:27 and summarizing his prophetic, resurrection, and royal functions respectively. The transition to 'unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood' moves from cosmic sovereignty to intimate redemption in a single breath, characteristic of Revelation's method of holding grandeur and tenderness together. The priestly kingship conferred on believers ('kings and priests') in verse 6 echoes Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9, locating Revelation's vision within the broader canonical story of God's covenant purposes.
Other Translations
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;
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth; to him who did love us, and did bathe us from our sins in his blood,
And from Jesus Christ, the true witness, the first to come back from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who had love for us and has made us clean from our sins by his blood;
Cross References
But because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, …
Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a …
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.
It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew …