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,

REVELATION 1:5KJV
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Revelation 1:5 (KJV)

What does Revelation 1:5 mean?

Revelation 1:5 describes Jesus Christ as the trustworthy witness, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler over all earthly kings. The verse highlights Jesus’ love for people and says he has cleansed them from their sins through his own blood.

The book of Revelation opens with a greeting from John to early Christian communities in Asia Minor, and here John is describing who Jesus is and what he has done. By calling Jesus the “faithful witness,” John points to Jesus’ reliability and truthfulness; calling him “the first begotten of the dead” means Jesus was the first to rise from death in a way that leads to eternal life. The verse’s focus on Jesus’ love and the cleansing power of his blood sets the tone for the message of hope and redemption that follows in the book.

The Greek behind Revelation 1:5

  • The word for “faithful” is πιστός (pistos), which means trustworthy or reliable. This emphasizes that Jesus can be counted on to tell the truth about God and what matters most.
  • The word for “witness” is μάρτυς (martys), which often refers to someone who testifies to the truth, even at great personal cost. Here, it underscores Jesus’ role in revealing God’s message and being willing to suffer for it.
  • The phrase “washed us from our sins in his own blood” uses the Greek word λούω (louō, “washed”), which carries the sense of being thoroughly cleansed. This highlights the completeness of the forgiveness Jesus offers.

Why Revelation 1:5 matters

  • This verse clears up any confusion about Jesus’ identity by listing three key roles: witness, conqueror of death, and ruler over all earthly authorities.
  • The emphasis on Jesus’ love and the act of washing away sins with his own blood shows that the foundation of the Christian message is not fear or judgment, but love and self-sacrifice.
  • By connecting Jesus’ resurrection and authority with his love and sacrificial death, the verse sets up the rest of Revelation as a message of hope for people facing hardship.

Where else these words appear

“washed” Greek G3068 · used in 6 verses

  • John 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
  • Acts 9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
  • Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

“begotten” Greek G4416 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
  • Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
  • Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

“witness” Greek G3144 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
  • Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

“prince” Greek G758 · used in 36 verses

  • Matthew 9:18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.
  • Luke 23:13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
  • Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,