Revelation 2:8 KJV,NLT

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:8

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write - On the meaning of the word “angel,” see the notes on Revelation 1:20.These things saith the first and the last - See the notes on Revelation 1:8, Revelation 1:17.Which was dead, and is alive - See the notes on Revelation 1:18. The idea is, that he is a Living Saviour; and there was a propriety in referring to that fact here from the nature of the promise which he was about to make to the church at Smyrna: “He that overcometh shall not be hurt... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 2:8-9

Revelation 2:8-9. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna “Smyrna was the nearest city to Ephesus, and for that reason probably was addressed in the second place. It is situated on lower ground than the ancient city, and lieth about forty-five miles northward of Ephesus. It is called Esmir by the Turks, and is celebrated, not so much for the splendour and pomp of the buildings, (for they are rather mean and ruinous,) as for the number, and wealth, and commerce of the inhabitants. The... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 2:8-11

Letter to Smyrna (2:8-11)Poor materially, but rich spiritually, the Christians in Smyrna were also severely persecuted. The persecution came mainly from the Jews, who thus showed that they were not God’s people, but Satan’s (8-9). But worse is to come, for the Roman authorities are going to launch a fresh attack on the Christians. Many will be imprisoned and some martyred, but this fierce attack will last only a limited period. Their Saviour, the eternal one who has himself conquered death (see... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 2:8

Smyrna. About fifty miles north-west of Ephesus. A great centre now of Levantine trade. First . . . Last. See Revelation 1:17 . was = became. dead. App-139 . is alive = lived (again). See App-170 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Revelation 2:8

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:SMYRNAAn ancient cradle of Ionian civilization, Smyrna existed for a millennium before Christ, being utterly devastated and destroyed by Alyattes of Lydia in 600 B.C.,[38] lying in ruins until it was rebuilt by Lysimachus, one of the generals who inherited the empire of Alexander the Great, in 301-281 B.C. By the times of the apostles, it was again a flourishing Greek city,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 2:8

Revelation 2:8. Unto the angel of the church in Smyrna— Smyrna was the nearest city to Ephesus, and for that reason probably was addressed in the second place. The town now remaining is situated on lower ground than the ancient city, and lies about 45 miles north of Ephesus. It is calledby the Turks Esmir, and is celebrated, not so much for the splendour and pomp of the buildings, as for the number, wealth, and commerce of the inhabitants. The Turks have herein fifteen mosques, and the Jews... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 2:8

8. Smyrna—in Ionia, a little to the north of Ephesus. POLYCARP, martyred in A.D. 168, eighty-six years after his conversion, was bishop, and probably "the angel of the Church in Smyrna" meant here. The allusions to persecutions and faithfulness unto death accord with this view. IGNATIUS [The Martyrdom of Ignatius 3], on his way to martyrdom in Rome, wrote to POLYCARP, then (A.D. 108) bishop of Smyrna; if his bishopric commenced ten or twelve years earlier, the dates will harmonize. TERTULLIAN... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8

1. Destination and description of Christ 2:8Smyrna was also a seaport on the Aegean Sea about 40 miles north of Ephesus. Late in the first century it was a large, wealthy city with a population of about 100,000. It still thrives today as Izmir with a population of about 200,000.Jesus Christ described Himself to this church as the eternal One who died and experienced resurrection. "Smyrna" means "bitter." The Greek word translates the Hebrew mor, myrrh, a fragrant perfume used in embalming dead... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 2:8-11

B. The letter to the church in Smyrna 2:8-11John penned this letter to commend its recipients for their endurance of persecution and poverty for the sake of Jesus Christ. He also did so to exhort them to be fearless and faithful even to death. Whereas the Ephesian church needed to return to past conditions, this one needed to persevere in what was characteristic of it in the present. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 2:8

2:8 became (a-20) See Note f, ch. 1.18. lived. (b-23) That is, after having died. see chs. 1.17,18; 13.14; Matthew 9:18 ; Romans 14:9 . read more