Revelation 1:17
New International Version
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

New Living Translation
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last.

English Standard Version
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Berean Standard Bible
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Berean Literal Bible
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

King James Bible
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

New King James Version
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

New American Standard Bible
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

NASB 1995
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

NASB 1977
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,

Legacy Standard Bible
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not fear; I am the first and the last,

Amplified Bible
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God],

Christian Standard Bible
When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. He laid His right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last,

American Standard Version
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

Contemporary English Version
When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: Don't be afraid! I am the first, the last,

English Revised Version
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. Then he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last,

Good News Translation
When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last.

International Standard Version
When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. But he placed his right hand on me and said, "Stop being afraid! I am the first and the last,

Majority Standard Bible
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, ?Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,

NET Bible
When I saw him I fell down at his feet as though I were dead, but he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid! I am the first and the last,

New Heart English Bible
When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,

Webster's Bible Translation
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Weymouth New Testament
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand upon me and said, "Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last, and the ever-living One.

World English Bible
When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead, and He placed His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last,

Berean Literal Bible
And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. And He placed His right hand upon me, saying, "Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

Young's Literal Translation
And when I saw him, I did fall at his feet as dead, and he placed his right hand upon me, saying to me, 'Be not afraid; I am the First and the Last,

Smith's Literal Translation
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he put his right hand upon me, saying to me, Be not afraid; I am the first and the last:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I am the First and the Last,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet, like one who is dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.

New American Bible
When I caught sight of him, I fell down at his feet as though dead. He touched me with his right hand and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last,

New Revised Standard Version
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man, and he laid his right hand upon me saying, “Do not be afraid, for I am The First and The Last;
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead; and he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not, I am the First and the Last,

Godbey New Testament
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man; and he laid his right hand on me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Haweis New Testament
And when I beheld him, I fell at his feet as dead: and he laid his right hand upon me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last,

Mace New Testament
as soon as I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead: but he laid his right hand upon me, and said, "Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Weymouth New Testament
When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if I were dead. But He laid His right hand upon me and said, "Do not be afraid: I am the First and the Last, and the ever-living One.

Worrell New Testament
And, when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead! And He laid His right hand on me, saying, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last,

Worsley New Testament
And when I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead; and He laid his right hand upon me, and said to me, "Fear not,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
John's Vision on Patmos
16He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.…

Cross References
Daniel 10:9-12
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. / Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. / He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling. ...

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Ezekiel 1:28
The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Matthew 17:6-7
When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. / Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”

Daniel 8:17-18
As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” / While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet,

Isaiah 44:6
Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.

John 1:17
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Isaiah 48:12
Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last.

Matthew 28:5
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.

Ezekiel 2:1-2
“Son of man,” He said to me, “stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” / And as He spoke to me, the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.

John 6:20
But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

Genesis 17:3
Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,


Treasury of Scripture

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand on me, saying to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

I fell.

Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

Daniel 8:18
Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Daniel 10:8,9,17-19
Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength…

And he.

Daniel 8:18
Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.

Daniel 10:10
And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

Fear not.

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Exodus 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

Exodus 20:20
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

I am.

Revelation 1:8,11
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty…

Revelation 2:8
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

Revelation 22:13
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

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Revelation 1
1. The preface.
4. John's salutation to the seven churches of Asia.
7. The coming of Christ.
8. His glorious power and majesty.














When I saw Him
This phrase marks the Apostle John's initial reaction upon encountering the glorified Christ. The Greek word for "saw" is "eidon," which implies not just a physical sight but a deeper perception and understanding. John's vision is not merely a visual experience but a profound spiritual revelation. Historically, this moment is significant as it occurs during John's exile on the island of Patmos, a time of persecution for early Christians. This encounter underscores the divine authority and majesty of Christ, who reveals Himself to His followers even in their most isolated and challenging circumstances.

I fell at His feet as though dead
The phrase captures John's overwhelming response to the divine presence. The act of falling "at His feet" signifies deep reverence and submission, a common biblical response to encountering the divine (e.g., Ezekiel 1:28, Daniel 10:9). The comparison "as though dead" highlights the intensity of the encounter, reflecting the awe and fear that often accompany divine revelations. In the historical context, such a reaction underscores the holiness and power of Christ, evoking a sense of unworthiness and humility in the presence of the Almighty.

But He placed His right hand on me
The "right hand" in biblical symbolism often represents power, authority, and blessing. By placing His right hand on John, Christ conveys reassurance and comfort, countering John's fear with divine compassion. This gesture is reminiscent of Jesus' earthly ministry, where He often touched those He healed or comforted, signifying personal care and connection. In the broader scriptural context, this act illustrates the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers, emphasizing that His power is coupled with love and grace.

and said, 'Do not be afraid.'
This command, "Do not be afraid," is a recurring biblical exhortation, often spoken by God or His messengers to calm those who encounter the divine (e.g., Isaiah 41:10, Luke 1:30). It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the peace that comes from His presence. In the context of Revelation, a book filled with apocalyptic imagery and events, this assurance is particularly poignant, offering hope and courage to believers facing trials and uncertainties. It reflects the heart of the Christian message: that faith in Christ dispels fear and brings peace.

I am the First and the Last
This declaration affirms Christ's eternal nature and divine authority. The titles "First and Last" echo the Old Testament descriptions of God (e.g., Isaiah 44:6), underscoring Christ's divinity and His role in the eternal plan of salvation. In the Greek, "Protos" (First) and "Eschatos" (Last) emphasize His preeminence and ultimate sovereignty over all creation. This statement reassures believers of Christ's unchanging presence and control over history, providing a foundation for faith and trust in His eternal promises.

(17) I fell at his feet as dead.--At the sight of Him, the Evangelist fell as one dead. "Was this He whom upon earth St. John had known so familiarly? Was this He in whose bosom He had lain at that Last Supper, and said, 'Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee?' When I saw Him thus transformed, thus glorified, I fell at His feet as one dead. Well might such be the effect, even upon the spirit of a just man made perfect--and St. John was still in the body--of such an open revelation of the risen glory of Christ" (Dr. Vaughan). It was pity, and the pang felt at the severity of retribution which overtook sin, which made Dante fall as a dead body falls (Inferno, v.); it is the felt consciousness of unworthiness which seems to have overcome the Evangelist. This consciousness has its witness outside the Bible as well as in it. "Semele must perish if Jupiter reveals himself to her in his glory, being consumed in the brightness of that glory." (Comp. Exodus 33:18; Exodus 33:20, "Thou canst not see My face; for there shall no man see Me and live.") For every man it is a dreadful thing to stand face to face with God. Yet the consciousness of this unworthiness to behold God, or to receive a near revelation of His presence, is a sign of faith, and is welcomed as such. Of him who said, "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof," Christ said, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:8-10).

He laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not.--The words "unto me" should be omitted. The gesture is designed to give the assurance of comfort; the hand which was raised up to bless (Luke 24:51), which was reached forth to heal the leper, to raise the sinking Peter (Matthew 14:31), and to touch the wounded ear of Malchus, is now stretched out to reassure His servant; and the words, like those which John had heard upon the Mount of Transfiguration, and when toiling against the waves of Galilee, bid him not to be afraid. (Comp. Daniel 10:10.) . . .

Verse 17. - I fell at his feet as dead; literally, as one dead - as a dead man. St. Peter had fallen at Jesus' feet when he became conscious of the ineffable difference between sinlessness and sinfulness (Luke 5:8). How much more, therefore, would consciousness of the glorified Christ overwhelm St. John! Long years of contemplation of the incarnate Son would not prevent that. In like manner, Joshua (Joshua 5:14), Daniel (Daniel 7:17, 27), and St. Paul (Acts 9:4) are affected by the Divine presence. Fear not. Thus Christ encouraged the terrified apostles on the lake (John 6:20) and at the Transfiguration. So also the angel cheered Daniel (Daniel 10:12), Zacharias (Luke 1:13), Mary (Luke 1:30), the shepherds (Luke 2:10), and the women at the sepulchre (Matthew 28:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
ὅτε (hote)
Adverb
Strong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.

I saw
εἶδον (eidon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

Him,
αὐτόν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

I fell
ἔπεσα (epesa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

at
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

feet
πόδας (podas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4228: The foot. A primary word; a 'foot'.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a dead [man].
νεκρός (nekros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3498: (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.

[But]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He placed
ἔθηκεν (ethēken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

right hand
δεξιὰν (dexian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1188: On the right hand, right hand, right. From dechomai; the right side or hand.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

me
ἐμὲ (eme)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

[and] said,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“{Do} not
Μὴ (Mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

be afraid.
φοβοῦ (phobou)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5399: From phobos; to frighten, i.e. to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e. Revere.

I
ἐγώ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

am
εἰμι (eimi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

First
πρῶτος (prōtos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Last,
ἔσχατος (eschatos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 1:17 When I saw him I fell at (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 1:16
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