Revelation 1:9

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 1:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9I John, your brother and partaker with you in tribulation and kingdom and patience [which are] in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

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, John, who also am your brother, etc.] Here begins the narrative of the visions and prophecies of this book, the former verses containing a general preface to the whole; and this, and the two following verses, are the introduction to the first vision, which John saw; who describes himself by his name, “I John”, the evangelist and apostle, a servant of Christ, and a beloved disciple of his; one that was well known to the seven churches to whom he writes, and who had no reason to doubt of his fidelity in the account he gives them; and also by his relation to them as a “brother”, not in a natural, but in a spiritual sense, they and he belonging to that family that is named of Christ, to 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 John--So "I Daniel" (Dan 7:28; Dan 9:2; Dan 10:2). One of the many features of resemblance between the Old Testament and the New Testament apocalyptic seers. No other Scripture writer uses the phrase. also--as well as being an apostle. The oldest manuscripts omit "also." In his Gospel and Epistles he makes no mention of his name, though describing himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Here, with similar humility, though naming himself, he does not mention his apostleship. companion--Greek, "fellow partaker in the tribulation." Tribulation is the necessary precursor of the kingdom," therefore "the" is prefixed. This must be borne with "patient endurance." The oldest manuscripts omit…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I John, who also am your brother - Your Christian brother; who am a fellow-Christian with you. The reference here is doubtless to the members of the seven churches in Asia, to whom the epistles in the following chapters were addressed, and to whom the whole book seems to have been sent. In the previous verse, the writer had closed the salutation, and he here commences a description of the circumstances under which the vision appeared to him. He was in a lonely island, to which he had been banished on account of his attachment to religion; he was in a state of high spiritual enjoyment on the day devoted to the sacred remembrance of the Redeemer; he suddenly heard a voice behind him, and…”
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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 John - The instruction and preparation of the apostle for the work are described from Rev 1:9-20. Your brother - In the common faith. And companion in the affliction - For the same persecution which carried him to Patmos drove them into Asia. This book peculiarly belongs to those who are under the cross. It was given to a banished man; and men in affliction understand and relish it most. Accordingly, it was little esteemed by the Asiatic church, after the time of Constantine; but highly valued by all the African churches, as it has been since by all the persecuted children of God. In the affliction, and kingdom and patience of Jesus - The kingdom stands in the midst. It is chiefly under…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:9-11 This third introduction (see study note on 1:1-11) is historical; it shows God communicating with humanity in historical events. God gave John a significant mission while in exile. 1:9 your brother and your partner: Though separated from other Christians by his imprisonment, John shared a sense of community with them in suffering, based on hope in God’s Kingdom and a willingness to endure. • The Roman fortress on the island of Patmos housed prisoners and exiles. Patmos was in a group of islands that protected the thriving seaport of Miletus. • for preaching . . . and for my testimony: In typical Semitic parallelism, the second statement means essentially the same as the first. By…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“John: Rev 1:4 companion: Rev 2:9, Rev 2:10, Rev 7:14; Joh 16:33; Act 14:22; Rom 8:17; Co1 4:9-13; Phi 1:7, Phi 4:14; Ti2 1:8, Ti2 2:3-12 in the: Rev 3:10, Rev 13:10, Rev 14:12; Rom 2:7, Rom 2:8, Rom 5:3, Rom 5:4, Rom 8:25; Th2 1:4, Th2 1:5, Th2 3:5; Heb 10:36; Jam 5:7, Jam 5:8 for the word: Rev 1:2, Rev 6:9, Rev 11:7, Rev 12:11, Rev 12:17, Rev 19:10 Revelation 1:10”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification