Revelation 1:1 — compare Bible translations

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal Speaker(s)=Narrator (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

GHT [The] off-cover-sis[i.e. state of uncovering]/revelation of {Jesus Anointed}, which the God gives to {same} to-show to {the slaves} of {same} what it-is-necessitating to-become in to {speed}, and signifies, send[ing]-off/away through of {the messenger} of {same} to {the slave of {same}, John},

ULT The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to show to his servants what must happen soon. And he signified, sending through his angel to his servant John,

UST This book is about things that God revealed to Jesus the Messiah. These things are just about to happen. God revealed them to Jesus so that he could tell the people who believe in him about them. Jesus shared these things by sending his angel to show them to me, John, a man who serves him faithfully.

BSB [ This is the ] revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon[fn] come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

1:1 Or suddenly or quickly

BLB The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants what things it behooves to take place in quickness. And He signified it through having sent His angel to His servant, John,

AICNT [fn] The revelation of Jesus Christ,[fn] which God gave to him, to show his {servants}[fn] what must soon take place; and he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

1:0, Title (“Revelation”): Absent from ℵ(01) A(02) ‖ BYZ NA28 SBLGNT reads “Revelation of John.” ‖ TR reads “Revelation of John the Theologian.”

1:1, Christ: The Greek word for Christ means (1) fulfiller of Israelite expectation of a deliverer, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Christ, (2) the personal name ascribed to Jesus, Christ. (BDAG, Χριστός).

1:1, servants: ℵ(01) reads “saints.”

OEB The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him to make known to his servants, concerning what must shortly take place, and which he sent and revealed by his angel to his servant John,

CSB The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

NLT This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John,

NIV The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

CEV This is what God showed to Jesus Christ, so that he could tell his servants what must happen soon. Christ then sent his angel with the message to his servant John.

ESV The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

NASB The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,

LSB The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His slaves the things which must soon happen; and He indicated this by sending it through His angel to His slave John,

WEBBE This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ,[fn] which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel[fn] to his servant, John,

1:1 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.

1:1 or, messenger (here and wherever angel is mentioned)

WMBB This is the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah,[fn] which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel[fn] to his servant, Yochanan,

1:1 “Messiah” means “Anointed One”.

1:1 or, messenger (here and wherever angel is mentioned)

MSG ^(1-2)A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God’s Word—the witness of Jesus Christ!

NET The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must happen very soon. He made it clear by sending his angel to his servant John,

LSV A revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave to Him to show to His servants what things must quickly come to pass; and He signified [it], having sent through His messenger to His servant John,

FBV This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what will happen soon. He sent his angel to reveal it to his servant John

TCNT The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

T4T This book tells the message that God revealed to Jesus Christ. God revealed it to him in order that he might reveal to his servants the things/events that must happen soon. Jesus communicated this message to me, his servant John, by sending his angel to me.

LEB The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his slaves the things which must take place in a short time, and communicated it by[fn] sending it through his angel to his slave John,

1:1 *Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“sending”) which is understood as means

NRSV The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

NKJV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

NAB The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show his servants what must happen soon. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

BBE The Revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave him so that his servants might have knowledge of the things which will quickly take place: and he sent and made it clear by his angel to his servant John;

Moff A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God granted him for his servants, to show them what must come to pass very soon; he disclosed it by sending it through his angel to his servant John,

Wymth The revelation given by Jesus Christ, which God granted Him, that He might make known to His servants certain events which must shortly come to pass: and He sent His angel and communicated it to His servant John.

ASV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;

DRA The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass: and signified, sending by his angel to his servant John,

YLT A revelation of Jesus Christ, that God gave to him, to shew to his servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly; and he did signify [it], having sent through his messenger to his servant John,

Drby Revelation of Jesus Christ, which [fn]God gave to him, to shew to his bondmen what must shortly take place; and he signified [it], sending by his angel, to his bondman John,

1.1 Elohim

RV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to shew unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;
(The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;)

SLT The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants what things must be with speed; and he signified having sent by his angel to his servant John:

Wbstr The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John:

KJB-1769 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
(The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:)

KJB-1611 ¶ The Reuelation of Iesus Christ, which God gaue vnto him, to shewe vnto his seruants things which must shortly come to passe; and he sent and signified it by his Angel vnto his seruant Iohn,
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps The reuelation of Iesus Christ, which God gaue vnto hym, for to shewe vnto his seruautes thyngs which must shortlye come to passe: And when he had sent, he shewed by his Angel, vnto his seruaunt Iohn,
(The revelation of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, which God gave unto him, for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass: And when he had sent, he showed by his Angel, unto his servant Yohn,)

Gnva The Reuelation of Iesus Christ, which God gaue vnto him, to shewe vnto his seruants things which must shortly be done: which he sent, and shewed by his Angel vnto his seruant Iohn,
(The Revelation of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly be done: which he sent, and showed by his Angel unto his servant Yohn,)

Cvdl The reuelacion of Iesus Christ, which God gaue vnto him, for to shewe vnto his seruautes thiges which muste shortly come to passe. And he sent and shewed by his angel vnto his seruaunt Ihon
(The revelation of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, which God gave unto him, for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed by his angel unto his servant Yohn)

TNT The reuelacion of Iesus Christe which god gave vnto him for to shewe vnto his servauntes thinges which muste shortly come to passe. And he sent and shewed by his angell vnto his servaunt Ihon
(The revelation of Yesus/Yeshua Christ which god gave unto him for to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And he sent and showed by his angel unto his servant Yohn)

Wycl Apocalips of Jhesu Crist, which God yaf to hym to make open to hise seruauntis, whiche thingis it bihoueth to be maad soone. And he signyfiede, sending bi his aungel to his seruaunt Joon,
(Apocalypse of Yesus/Yeshua Christ, which God gave to him to make open to his servants, which things it behoves to be made soon. And he signified, sending by his angel to his servant Yohn,)

Luth Dies ist die Offenbarung JEsu Christi, die ihm GOtt gegeben hat, seinen Knechten zu zeigen, was in der Kürze geschehen soll; und hat sie gedeutet und gesandt durch seinen Engel zu seinem Knecht Johannes,
(This/These is the revelation Yesu of_Christ, the him God given has, his servants to/for shown, what/which in the/of_the shortness happen should; and has they/she/them interpreted and sent through his angel to/for his servant/farmhand John,)

ClVg Apocalypsis Jesu Christi, quam dedit illi Deus palam facere servis suis, quæ oportet fieri cito: et significavit, mittens per angelum suum servo suo Joanni,[fn]
(Revelations Yesu Christi, how he_gave them God openly to_do slaves to_his_own, which it_is_necessary to_be_done quickly: and signified, sending through a_messenger/angel his_own server/keeper his_own Yohan,)

1.1 Incipit Joannes apostolus et evangelista, a Christo electus atque dilectus, in tanto amore dilectionis uberior habitus est, ut in cœna super pectus ejus recumberet, et ad crucem astanti soli matrem propriam commendasset, ut quem nubere volentem ad amplexum virginitatis asciverat, ipsi etiam custodiendam virginem tradidisset. Hic itaque cum propter verbum Dei et testimonium Jesu Christi in Pathmos insulam sortiretur exsilium, illic ab eodem Apocalypsis præostensa describitur, ut sicut in principio canonis, id est libri Geneseos, incorruptibile principium prænotatur, ita etiam incorruptibilis finis per virginem in Apocalypsi redderetur, dicens: Ego sum Alpha et Omega, initium et finis. Hic est Joannes, qui sciens supervenisse sibi diem egressionis de corpore, convocatis in Epheso discipulis, descendit in defossum sepulturæ suæ locum, orationeque completa, reddidit spiritum tam a dolore mortis factus extraneus, quam a corruptione carnis noscitur alienus. Cujus tamen Scripturæ dispositio, vel libri ordinatio, ideo a nobis per singula non exponitur, ut nescientibus inquirendi desiderium collocetur et quærentibus laboris fructus, et Deo magisterii doctrina servetur. Argumentum Incipit Apocalypsis Joannis tot habet sacramenta quot verba. Parum dixi, et pro merito voluminis laus omnis inferior est. In verbis singulis multiplices latent intelligentiæ. Apocalypsis Jesu Christi. Præparat auditores, redditque eos benevolos et attentos, sicut et ibi: Joannes septem Ecclesiis quæ sunt in Asia. Quam dedit. Secundum humanitatem Christus accipit eam a Patre et Verbo sibi conjuncto hypostatice, et a Spiritu sancto. Quæ oportet fieri. Quasi dicat: Inevitabile est quin fiant, et utile est ut fiant. Oportet ut servi patiantur tribulationes cito. Cito. Dicit cito, ut seipsos parent, ne sit grave pati. Cito finiendi sunt labores, et præmia danda. Brevis labor, festinata gloria.

1.1 It_begins Yohan apostle and evangelist, from to_Christ/Messiah elected and_yet beloved, in/into/on so_much with_love of_love more_fertile habit it_is, as in/into/on dinner over chest his/her would_sit_down, and to cross/frame standing alone mother own would_have_recommended, as which to_marry wanting to embraced virginity had_adopted, themselves also to_be_guarded a_virgin would_have_handed_over. Here/This therefore when/with because the_word/saying of_God and testimony Yesu of_Christ in/into/on Patmos island would_obtain_by_lot exile, there away the_same Revelations shown_beforehand described, as like in/into/on at_the_beginning canon, that it_is books Geneseos, incorruptible principle is_marked_before, so/thus also incorruptible end/limit through a_virgin in/into/on Revelation would_be_returned, saying: I I_am Alpha and Omega, the_beginning and end/limit. Here/This it_is Yohan, who/which knowing to_have_arrived to_himself day exit from/about body, summoned in/into/on Ephesus students, came_down in/into/on buried burials his/her_own(pl) place, and_prayer complete, returned spirit tam from pain of_death became stranger, how from corruption of_flesh is_known foreign. Whose nevertheless Scriptures disposition, or books ordination, therefore/for_that_reason from us through each not/no is_explained, as being_ignorant_of to_be_investigated desire/wish may_be_placed and those_seeking work fruit, and to_God instruction teaching/instruction be_preserved. Argumentum It_begins Revelations Yohan so_many has sacraments how_many words. Little I_said, and for deservedly of_book praise everyone lower it_is. In with_words each you_may_multiply latent intelligence. Revelations Yesu Christi. Prepare listeners, and_returns them kindlies and attended, like and there: Yohan seven Assemblies/churches which are in/into/on Asia. How he_gave. After/Second humanity Christ/Messiah receives her from Father and Word to_himself joined hypostatic, and from By_Spirit holy. Which it_is_necessary to_be_done. As_if let_him_say: Unavoidable it_is because be_done, and useful it_is as be_done. It_is_necessary as slaves they_may_suffer tribulations quickly. Quickly. He_says quickly, as themselves parent, not be grave to_suffer. Quickly to_be_ended are with_hard_works, and prizes to_be_given. Short work, hastened glory.

UGNT ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς, δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ, ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει; καὶ ἐσήμανεν, ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ, Ἰωάννῃ,
(apokalupsis Yaʸsou Ⱪristou, haʸn edōken autōi ho Theos, deixai tois doulois autou, ha dei genesthai en taⱪei; kai esaʸmanen, aposteilas dia tou angelou autou tōi doulōi autou, Yōannaʸ,)

SBL-GNT Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ, ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει, καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννῃ,
(Apokalupsis Yaʸsou Ⱪristou, haʸn edōken autōi ho theos deixai tois doulois autou, ha dei genesthai en taⱪei, kai esaʸmanen aposteilas dia tou angelou autou tōi doulōi autou Yōannaʸ,)

RP-GNT Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ, ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει, καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ Ἰωάννῃ,
(Apokalupsis Yaʸsou ⱪristou, haʸn edōken autōi ho theos deixai tois doulois autou, ha dei genesthai en taⱪei, kai esaʸmanen aposteilas dia tou angelou autou tōi doulōi autou Yōannaʸ,)

TC-GNT Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἣν ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ Θεὸς δεῖξαι τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ ἃ δεῖ γενέσθαι ἐν τάχει, καὶ ἐσήμανεν ἀποστείλας διὰ τοῦ ἀγγέλου αὐτοῦ τῷ δούλῳ αὐτοῦ [fn]Ἰωάννῃ,
(Apokalupsis Yaʸsou Ⱪristou, haʸn edōken autōi ho Theos deixai tois doulois autou ha dei genesthai en taⱪei, kai esaʸmanen aposteilas dia tou angelou autou tōi doulōi autou Yōannaʸ,)

1:1 ιωαννη 98.6% ¦ ιωανει ᴡʜ 0.5%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–3: John introduced his book

In this section, John indicated that the contents of the revelation were given to Jesus by God. Then Jesus gave it to an angel, and the angel gave it to John. John wrote it in this book for all believers to read.

These verses explain the purpose of the book, give information about the author, and offer a blessing to those who read the book.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Introduction

Introduction to the book

Opening remarks/words of the book

Some translations do not start a book with a section heading. Consider whether or not you should use one.

1:1a

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him

¶ This revelation is from Jesus Christ that God showed/told to him
¶ This book has secret/hidden knowledge/things that Jesus, the Messiah, revealed/showed. God had caused it/them to be known to him.

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ: In Greek this phase is more literally “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” This phrase introduces the book. In some languages it is more natural to translate this phrase as a complete clause or sentence, as the BSB and some other English versions have done. For example:

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ. (BSB, GW)

This book/letter/writing is the revelation of Jesus Christ,

This phrase indicates that Jesus Christ revealed the things in this book to John. Other ways to translate this are:

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, (NLT)

The revelation from Jesus Christ (NIV11)

This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. (GNT)

revelation of Jesus Christ: The Greek word that the BSB translates as revelation refers to something unknown that someone shows/reveals to someone else. In some languages it is more natural to translate this phrase using a verb. For example:

things revealed by Jesus Christ

hidden things/knowledge that Jesus Christ told

hidden/secret knowledge that Jesus Christ revealed

Christ: The word Christ is a title for Jesus. It means “the anointed one.” The Hebrew word mashiah (English: “Messiah”) has the same meaning. The Jews used it to refer to the person whom God promised would save/free his people and rule them. Here the word Christ describes Jesus as the Christ.

Some ways to translate Christ are:

Use a title or a descriptive phrase in your language that has the same meaning as Christ. For example:
God’s Anointed/Chosen One
Promised Deliverer
the Rescuer-King
Use the major language word, spell it as people in your language would say it, and include a phrase that explains the meaning. For example:
Karisiti, the appointed one
Cristo, the Savior whom God promised to send
Use the major language word, spell it as people in your language would say it, and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:
the Kirisita
Use the word Messiah, if it is more clearly a title used only for Jesus. Spell it as people in your language would say it and indicate in some way that it is a title. For example:
the MesaaiaThe spelling Mesaaia is based on the usage in the Nalik NT, in progress, Papua New Guinea.

If you have translated other New Testament books, see how you translated this word there. Also, if you have a footnote explaining this word in Matthew 1:1, Mark 1:1, Luke 2:11, or John 1:17, you may want to repeat it here.

which God gave Him: This clause tells the reader more about the revelation. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus had other revelations but God only gave this one to him. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about this revelation. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

It was given to him by God.

God gave it to him.

gave: The word gave indicates that God showed these revelations to Jesus. In some languages a word other than gave is more natural. For example:

showed (CEV)

told

1:1b

to show His servants what must soon come to pass.

in order to show to his servants/slaves the things that are required to happen soon.
God showed/told him these things so that his servants/workers might know the events that will certainly occur/happen soon.

His servants: The Greek word that the BSB translates as servants refers to believers. It indicates that believers must obey the things God tells them to do.

The Greek word can also be translated as “slaves.” However, it is important not to indicate or imply that it is a position of shame or humiliation. A servant of God has a position of honor. Other ways to translate this word are:

his workers

the people who serve him

his people, they work for him

his people, they do his will

His: The pronoun His probably refers here to God.Compare the similar wording in Revelation 22:6.

must soon come to pass: Here the phrase must soon come to pass indicates that the events in the revelation will certainly happen soon. God has decided that all these events will happen, so they will certainly happen. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

must soon happen (NCV)

will soon necessarily/indeed occur

has been determined by God to happen soon

will definitely/certainly occur soon

1:1c

He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John,

Jesus Christ showed it to his servant/slave John by sending his angel to him.
Jesus sent his angel/messenger to reveal these things to me, John, his servant/worker.

He made…known: The person that the pronoun He refers to is unclear. It is probably Jesus. In some languages it is more natural to say to whom this pronoun refers. For example:

Christ made these things known (GNT)

made…known: This phrase refers to revealing something through signs. Here, the signs are things and events that have symbolic meanings. There are many things that are symbolic in Revelation, for example: the dragon (12:3) and the woman on the scarlet beast (17:3).

Jesus communicated this revelation to believers by sending his angel with the revelation to John. The angel showed the revelation to John. John wrote this revelation and sent it to the believers. Other ways to translate these words are:

revealed through signs

communicated (NASB)

sent this revelation (GW)

show (NCV)

it: The pronoun it refers to the revelation, namely, the things that Jesus revealed (1:1a).

His angel: The pronoun His probably refers here to Jesus.

angel: The Greek word that the BSB translates as angel means “messenger.” It refers here to a spirit being who serves Christ. Some ways to translate this word are:

Use a descriptive word or phrase. For example:
messenger
good/holy spirit-being
Use a local word that fits the biblical meaning.
In some languages the churches may already be using the major language word for “angel.” Be sure that this word fits the biblical meaning. If some people do not know the right meaning from this word, you may want to indicate the meaning in some way. For example:
angel messenger
sacred angel spirit

Be sure that your word for “angel” is different from your words or phrases for “prophet” and “apostle.”

to His servant John: The name John refers to the author himself. John wrote about himself in the third person. This was good Greek style. In some languages it is more natural to use the first person. For example:

to his servant John, me

to me John, his servant

His: This pronoun refers here to Jesus.

servant: This word has the same meaning as it does in 1:1b.

John: The traditional view is that John the Apostle wrote this Revelation.Swete and others. But a second century Christian, Dionysius, thought is was someone named “John the Elder” and not John the Apostle.Aune and others. Many scholars refuse to choose which is most likely. It is best not to name this John as “the Apostle” or “the Elder.”

General Comment on 1:1a–c

In some languages it is more natural to follow the chronological order of communicating the message. For example:

^1a This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ. God gave it to him. ^1cHe made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,^1bHe/God gave it to him to show his/God’s servants what must soon take place. ^2aJohn testifies…

Parallel REV 1:1

Section 1:1–3: John introduced his book

1:1a

1:1b

1:1c

General Comment on 1:1a–c