The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ . This phrase occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in 1 Peter 1:7 , 1 Peter 1:13 . It means the revelation which Jesus Christ makes, not that which reveals him. John is the writer, Jesus Christ the Author, of the book. Revelation ( απόκαλυψις ) is a word reserved for the gospel; no Old Testament prophecy is called a revelation (contrast 1 Samuel 20:30 ). It means the unveiling of Divine mysteries ( Ephesians 3:3 ), and from this it easily... read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 1:5
The faithful witness - The true teacher, whose testimony is infallible, and whose sayings must all come to pass. The first-begotten of the dead - See the note on Colossians 1:18 . The prince of the kings - Ὁ αρχων , The chief or head, of all earthly potentates; who has them all under his dominion and control, and can dispose of them as he will. Unto him that loved us - This should begin a new verse, as it is the commencement of a new subject. Our salvation is attributed to... read more