Rev 1:17-18 | TNotes | STEP | 1:17 When I saw him, I fell ... dead: Terror and a dead faint, if not death itself (see Exod 33:20 ), frequently result when someone sees God (see Isa 6:1-5 ; Matt 28:4 ). The Lord graciously responds by the touch of his right hand (cp. Matt 25:34 ) and the words “Don’t be afraid!” (cp. Luke 1:13 ), indicating both grace and acceptance. • I am: The phrase identifies Jesus as God (see study note on Rev 1:8).

a1:17►

bExod 33:20►

cIsa 6:1-5►

dMatt 28:4►

eMatt 25:34►

fLuke 1:13►

g1:18►

h1:13►

i20:14►

jHeb 2:14-15►

‏ Revelation of John 1:17-18

1:17 ^a When I saw him, I fell ... dead: Terror and a dead faint, if not death itself (see Exod 33:20 ^b), frequently result when someone sees God (see Isa 6:1-5 ^c; Matt 28:4 ^d). The Lord graciously responds by the touch of his right hand (cp. Matt 25:34 ^e) and the words “Don’t be afraid!” (cp. Luke 1:13 ^f), indicating both grace and acceptance.

• I am: The phrase identifies Jesus as God (see study note on Rev 1:8).
1:18 ^g the living one: Because the Son of Man (1:13 ^h) has conquered death, he holds the keys of death and controls the outcome of our greatest fear (see 20:14 ⁱ; Heb 2:14-15 ^j). Jesus has complete authority to provide hope in a hostile world.

• the grave: Greek Hades. See study note on Rev 6:7-8.