Revelation 1:10

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord`s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I was in the Spirit on the Lord`s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet
Revelation 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10I was in the Spirit on the Lord`s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, etc.] Not on the Jewish sabbath, which was now abolished, nor was that ever called the Lord's day, and had John meant that, he would have said on the sabbath day; much less the Jewish passover, but the first day of the week is designed; so the Ethiopic version renders it “on the first day”; and is so called just as the ordinance of the supper is called the Lord's supper, being instituted by the Lord, and the Lord's table, (<461021>1 Corinthians 10:21 11:20), and that because it was the day in which our Lord rose from the dead, (<411609>Mark 16:9); and in which he appeared at different times to his disciples, (<432019>John 20:19,26), and which the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I was--Greek, "I came to be"; "I became." in the Spirit--in a state of ecstasy; the outer world being shut out, and the inner and higher life or spirit being taken full possession of by God's Spirit, so that an immediate connection with the invisible world is established. While the prophet "speaks" in the Spirit, the apocalyptic seer is in the Spirit in his whole person. The spirit only (that which connects us with God and the invisible world) is active, or rather recipient, in the apocalyptic state. With Christ this being "in the Spirit" was not the exception, but His continual state. on the Lord's day--Though forcibly detained from Church communion with the brethren in the sanctuary on the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I was in the Spirit - This cannot refer to his own spirit, for such an expression would be unintelligible. The language then must refer to some unusual state, or to some influence that had been brought to bear upon him from without, that was appropriate to such a day. The word “Spirit” may refer either to the Holy Spirit, or to some state of mind such as the Holy Spirit produces - a spirit of elevated devotion, a state of high and uncommon religious enjoyment. It is clear that John does not mean here to say that he was under the influence of the Holy Spirit in such a sense as that he was inspired, for the command to make a record, as well as the visions, came subsequently to the time…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I was in the Spirit - That is, in a trance, a prophetic vision; so overwhelmed with the power, and filled with the light, of the Holy Spirit, as to be insensible of outward things, and wholly taken up with spiritual and divine. What follows is one single, connected vision, which St. John saw in one day; and therefore he that would understand it should carry his thought straight on through the whole, without interruption. The other prophetic books are collections of distinct prophecies, given upon various occasions: but here is one single treatise, whereof all the parts exactly depend on each other. Rev 4:1 is connected with Rev 1:19 and what is delivered in the fourth chapter goes on…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:10 the Lord’s Day: This designation was used in the Roman world to refer to celebrations in honor of Caesar, but Christians used it to refer to their weekly worship, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. The earliest Christians worshiped in Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath, the last day of the week (Acts 18:4), but by the time of Revelation, they were excluded from synagogues and gathered on the day that commemorated the resurrection, the first day of the week (see study note on Luke 24:1; see also Acts 20:7). • The loud voice like a trumpet blast was an announcement of the Lord’s coming.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“in: Rev 4:2, Rev 17:3, Rev 21:10; Mat 22:43; Acts 10:10-33; Co2 12:2-4 on the: Joh 20:19, Joh 20:26; Act 20:7; Co1 16:2 as: Rev 4:1, Rev 10:3-8 Revelation 1:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification