And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

REVELATION 3:14KJV
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Revelation 3:14 (KJV)

What does Revelation 3:14 mean?

Revelation 3:14 records a message addressed to the leader ("angel") of the church in Laodicea, introducing Jesus as "the Amen," the "faithful and true witness," and "the beginning of the creation of God." This introduction highlights Jesus' authority, reliability, and foundational role in God's creation before giving a message to this specific church.

In this verse, the speaker is Jesus, who is dictating a letter through John to the Christian community in Laodicea, a city in Asia Minor. The titles used—especially "the Amen" and "the beginning of the creation of God"—emphasize that Jesus is completely trustworthy and has ultimate authority, setting the stage for the important message that follows in the next verses.

The Greek behind Revelation 3:14

  • Ἀμήν (Amen, G281): This word is a direct carryover from Hebrew, meaning "truly" or "so be it." Here, it is used as a title for Jesus, stressing His reliability and the certainty of His words.
  • πιστός (pistos, G4103): Translated "faithful," this word means trustworthy or dependable. It underscores that Jesus always tells the truth and can be relied upon.
  • ἀρχή (archē, G746): Translated "beginning," this Greek word can mean "origin," "first cause," or "ruler." In this context, it points to Jesus as the source or foundational principle of God's creation, not just the first created being.
  • κτίσις (ktisis, G2937): This is the word for "creation." The verse highlights Jesus' unique role in relation to all that God has made, stressing His authority over everything created.

Why Revelation 3:14 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jesus is not only a messenger but the ultimate authority and foundation of all creation, which is important for understanding the weight of His message to the Laodiceans.
  • By calling Jesus "the Amen" and "faithful and true witness," the verse emphasizes that His assessment of the church is completely trustworthy, countering any doubts the readers might have.
  • The introduction prepares the reader for the strong words that follow in the letter to Laodicea, reminding them that the source of the message is both divine and trustworthy.

Where else these words appear

“Laodiceans” Greek G2994 · used in 2 verses

  • Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

“things” Greek G3592 · used in 12 verses

  • Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
  • Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
  • Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

“creation” Greek G2937 · used in 19 verses

  • Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
  • Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
  • Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

“true” Greek G228 · used in 25 verses

  • Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
  • John 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
  • Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?