CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 2:8 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/2-8.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/66_Rev_02_08.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 2:8 - To the Church in Smyrna" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/2-8.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/2-8.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 8</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/2-7.htm" title="Revelation 2:7">◄</a> Revelation 2:8 <a href="/revelation/2-9.htm" title="Revelation 2:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/2.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. <a href="/nlt/revelation/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: <a href="/esv/revelation/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. <a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. <a href="/blb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And to the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and came to life. <a href="/kjv/revelation/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; <a href="/nkjv/revelation/2.htm">New King James Version</a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: <a href="/nasb_/revelation/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: <a href="/nasb/revelation/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: <a href="/nasb77/revelation/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: <a href="/lsb/revelation/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: This is what THE FIRST AND THE LAST, who was dead, and has come to life, says: <a href="/amp/revelation/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last [absolute Deity, the Son of God] who died and came to life [again]: <a href="/csb/revelation/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: Thus says the First and the Last, the one who was dead and came to life: <a href="/hcsb/revelation/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: &#8220The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: <a href="/asv/revelation/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again: <a href="/cev/revelation/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: I am the first and the last. I died, but now I am alive! Listen to what I say. <a href="/erv/revelation/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and lived again: <a href="/gwt/revelation/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "To the messenger of the church in Smyrna, write: The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says: <a href="/gnt/revelation/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "This is the message from the one who is the first and the last, who died and lived again. <a href="/isv/revelation/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> "To the messenger of the church in Smyrna, write: 'The first and the last, who was dead and became alive, says this: <a href="/msb/revelation/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. <a href="/net/revelation/2.htm">NET Bible</a> "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who is the first and the last, the one who was dead, but came to life: <a href="/nheb/revelation/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: <a href="/wbt/revelation/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write; These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive; <a href="/wey/revelation/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows: "'This is what the First and the Last says--He who died and has returned to life. <a href="/web/revelation/2.htm">World English Bible</a> “To the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write: “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life says these things: <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And to the messenger of the assembly of the Smyrneans write: These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and lived: <a href="/blb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And to the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and came to life. <a href="/ylt/revelation/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And to the messenger of the assembly of the Smyrneans write: These things saith the First and the Last, who did become dead and did live; <a href="/slt/revelation/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And to the messenger of the church of the Smyrnians write; Thus says the first and the last, who was dead and he lived;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write: These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive: <a href="/cpdv/revelation/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And to the Angel of the Church of Smyrna write: Thus says the First and the Last, he who was dead and now lives: <a href="/nabre/revelation/2.htm">New American Bible</a> “To the angel of the church in Smyrna, write this: “ ‘The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life:<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These things says the first and the last, which was dead and is alive: <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And to The Messenger of the assembly of Zmurna, write: “Thus says The First and The Last- he who was dead and lives:”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write: These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and is alive: <a href="/godbey/revelation/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; The first and the last, who was dead, and is alive, says these things:<Fr> <a href="/haweis/revelation/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And to the angel of the church of the Smyrnians write, These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive: <a href="/mace/revelation/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> And to the angel of the church in Smyrna, write, "THESE things saith the first and last, who was dead, and is alive." <a href="/wey/revelation/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "To the minister of the Church at Smyrna write as follows: "'This is what the First and the Last says--He who died and has returned to life. <a href="/worrell/revelation/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>"And to the angel of the assembly in Smyrna write these things," saith the First and the Last, Who became dead, and lived:<Fr> <a href="/worsley/revelation/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, These <Fr>things<FR> saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive;<Fr> <a href="/parallel/revelation/2-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=321" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm">To the Church in Smyrna</a> 7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God. 8<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">To the</a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelō (N-DMS) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">angel</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/1577.htm" title="1577: ekklēsias (N-GFS) -- From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation.">the church</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/4667.htm" title="4667: Smyrnē (N-DFS) -- Smyrna, a great port of the Roman province Asia. The same as smurna; Smyrna, a place in Asia Minor.">Smyrna</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: grapson (V-AMA-2S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">write:</a> <a href="/greek/3592.htm" title="3592: Tade (DPro-ANP) -- This here, this, that, he, she, it. ">These are</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">the words</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of the</a> <a href="/greek/4413.htm" title="4413: prōtos (Adj-NMS) -- First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost.">First</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2078.htm" title="2078: eschatos (Adj-NMS) -- Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final.">Last,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">who</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egeneto (V-AIM-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">died</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekros (Adj-NMS) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: ezēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">returned to life.</a> 9I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Isaiah 44:6</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/41-4.htm">Isaiah 41:4</a> Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He.” <a href="/isaiah/48-12.htm">Isaiah 48:12</a> Listen to Me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last. <a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Revelation 1:17-18</a> 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, / the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/revelation/22-13.htm">Revelation 22:13</a> I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” <a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14</a> Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, <a href="/romans/14-9.htm">Romans 14:9</a> For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-20.htm">1 Corinthians 15:20-23</a> But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. / For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. / For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. ... <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a> And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. <a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Philippians 2:8-11</a> And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross. / Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ... <a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a> But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip. <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18</a> For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, <a href="/john/5-21.htm">John 5:21</a> For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes. <a href="/john/6-39.htm">John 6:39-40</a> And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. / For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things said the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;the angel.<a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Revelation 2:1</a> Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;the first.<a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Revelation 1:8,11,17,18</a> 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… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Church</a> <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">Died</a> <a href="/revelation/2-5.htm">First</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Last</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/revelation/1-11.htm">Smyrna</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Words</a> <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">Write</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/3-1.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Angel</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Church</a> <a href="/revelation/2-23.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/revelation/8-9.htm">Died</a> <a href="/revelation/2-19.htm">First</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Follows</a> <a href="/revelation/15-1.htm">Last</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Messenger</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Minister</a> <a href="/revelation/1-11.htm">Smyrna</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Words</a> <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Write</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 2</div>1. <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,</a> 8. <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">Smyrna,</a> 12. <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Pergamos,</a> 18. <a href="/revelation/2-18.htm">Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/revelation/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>To the angel of the church in Smyrna write This phrase begins with a directive to the "angel" of the church, which can be understood as a messenger or leader, possibly the bishop or pastor of the church in Smyrna. The Greek word for "angel" is "ἄγγελος" (angelos), which means messenger. In the context of Revelation, it often refers to spiritual overseers of the churches. Smyrna, a city known for its beauty and wealth, was a center of emperor worship and had a significant Jewish population that was often hostile to Christians. The historical context of Smyrna is crucial, as it was a place of intense persecution for early Christians, which sets the stage for the message that follows.These are the words of the First and the Last This phrase identifies the speaker as Jesus Christ, who is described as "the First and the Last." This title emphasizes His eternal nature and divine authority, echoing the Old Testament references to God as the beginning and the end (<a href="/isaiah/44-6.htm">Isaiah 44:6</a>). The Greek terms "πρῶτος" (protos) and "ἔσχατος" (eschatos) highlight Christ's supremacy over time and history, reassuring the believers in Smyrna of His sovereignty amidst their trials.who died and returned to life This phrase refers to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, central tenets of the Christian faith. The Greek words "ἀπέθανεν" (apethanen) and "ἔζησεν" (ezēsen) underscore the reality of Christ's sacrifice and victory over death. This message would have been particularly comforting to the persecuted church in Smyrna, as it assures them of the hope of resurrection and eternal life, even in the face of martyrdom.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) Smyrna, the modern Ismir, now possessing a population of about 150,000. Its mercantile prosperity may be measured by its trade. In 1852 the export trade amounted to 1,766,653--about half of this being with England. The imports in the same year were 1,357,339. It has always been considered one of the most beautiful cities in Asia. It was situated in the ancient province of Ionia, a little north of Ephesus--next it, as Archbishop Trench says, in natural order, and also in spiritual. Its position was favourable for commerce. In olden times, as now, it commanded the trade of the Levant, besides being the natural outlet for the produce of the Hermus valley. The neighbourhood was peculiarly fertile; the vines are said to have been so productive as to have yielded two crops. There are indications that intemperance was very prevalent among the inhabitants. Servility and flattery may be added, for the people of Smyrna seem to have been astutely fickle, and to have been keen in preserving the patronage of the ruling powers. In one of their temples the inscription declared Nero to be "the Saviour of the whole human race." The city was specially famed for its worship of Dionysos. Games and mysteries were held yearly in his honour. Its public buildings were handsome, and its streets regular. One of its edifices used as a museum proclaimed, in its consecration to Homer, that Smyrna contested with six or seven other cities the honour of being the birthplace of the poet.The angel of the church in Smyrna.--We have no means of determining certainly who was the person here addressed. Many who accept the Domitian date of the Apocalypse argue that Polycarp was at this time the bishop or presiding minister at Smyrna. Even on the supposition that this is the true date, it seems exceedingly doubtful that this was the case. It can only be true on the supposition that the episcopate of Polycarp extended over sixty years. Polycarp was martyred A.D. 156. We know from Ignatius, who addresses him in A.D. 108 as Bishop of Smyrna, that his ministry lasted nearly fifty years. It seems too much to assume that his episcopate commenced eight or ten years before. Of course, if we adopt the earlier date of the Apocalypse, the Epistle must have been written before Polycarp's conversion--probably before his birth. But though we are thus constrained to reject the identification which we would willingly adopt, it is well to remember that Polycarp is the living example of the language of the epistle, and that, as Professor Plumptre has said, "In his long conflict for the faith, his stedfast endurance, his estimate of the fire that can never be quenched, we find a character on which the promise to him that overcometh had been indelibly stamped."The first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.--Or better, who became dead, and lived again. From <a href="/context/revelation/1-17.htm" title="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:">Revelation 1:17-18</a>, we have selected the title most fitted to console a church whose trial was persecution. In all vicissitudes, the unchanging One (<a href="/hebrews/7-3.htm" title="Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like to the Son of God; stays a priest continually.">Hebrews 7:3</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-8.htm" title="Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.">Hebrews 13:8</a>), who had truly tasted death, and conquered it even in seeming to fail, was their Saviour and King. Some have seen in these words, "dead and lived again," an allusion to the story of the death and return to life of Dionysos--a legend, of course, familiar to Smyrna.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 8-11. - The epistle to the Church at Smyrna. Verse 8. - The metropolitan, setting out from Ephesus to visit the Churches of Asia, would naturally go first to Smyrna. It ranked as one of the most beautiful cities in Asia; but its magnificence must at times have seemed poor compensation for the neglect of the architect, who, in planning the city for Antigonus and Lysimachus, omitted the drains. In time of floods the streets became open sewers. For its fidelity to Rome against Mithridates, it received exceptional privileges, but suffered heavily when Dolabella laid siege to Trebonius, one of Caesar's assassins, who had taken refuge there. When eleven cities of Asia competed for the honour of erecting a temple to Tiberius, the senate decided in favour of Smyrna. This temple was no doubt standing in St. John's time. But just as Artemis was the great goddess of the Ephesians, so Dionysus was the great god of Smyrna. Dionysus represented the mysteriously productive and intoxicating powers of nature - powers which are exhibited most abundantly in the vine, which in the neighbourhood of Smyrna is said to have borne fruit twice in a year. He was regarded as the dispenser of joy and fertility, the disperser of sorrow and care. Hence the myth of his death and resurrection, which was frequently rehearsed and acted at Smyrna - a fact which gives special point to the greeting in this epistle - "From him who became dead, and lived." The priests who presided at this celebration were presented with a crown; to which there may be allusion in the promise, "I will give thee the crown of life." Not long after the martyrdom of its first bishop, St. Polycarp, Smyrna was destroyed by an earthquake, in A.D. , and was rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius. Earthquakes, fires, and pestilences have always been common there. But in spite of such calamities, it continues to flourish. From the large proportion of Christians there, it is known among Mohammedans as "the infidel city." Christianity seems never to have been extinguished in Smyrna, which shares, with Philadelphia, the honour of receiving unmixed praise in these epistles. "Down from the apostolic times a Church has existed here, and she has repeated, with more or less boldness and distinctness, the testimony of her martyr bishop, 'I am a Christian'" (R. Vaughan). The stadium in which he suffered may still be seen there. We have already (see on Revelation 1:20) decided that "the angel" of each Church is probably not its bishop. But, even if this were the meaning, this epistle could not be addressed to St. Polycarp, if he was martyred A.D. , in the eighty-sixth year after his conversion, and the Apocalypse was written in A.D. . The First and the Last, who became (e)ge/neto) dead, and lived (see notes on Revelation 1:17, 18). As in the epistle to Ephesus, the words of the address are taken from the titles of the Christ given in the opening. It is no mythical deity, with his mock death and resurrection, but the absolutely Living One, who indeed died, and is indeed alive forevermore, that scuds this message to the suffering Church of Smyrna. In the epistle to the Church in Thyatira we have what seems to be an allusion to the worship of Apollo, similar to that to the worship of Dionysus here. <a href="/commentaries/revelation/2-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>To the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. angel ἀγγέλῳ (angelō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. of τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. the church ἐκκλησίας (ekklēsias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1577.htm">Strong's 1577: </a> From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. Smyrna Σμύρνῃ (Smyrnē) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4667.htm">Strong's 4667: </a> Smyrna, a great port of the Roman province Asia. The same as smurna; Smyrna, a place in Asia Minor. write: γράψον (grapson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. These [are] Τάδε (Tade) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3592.htm">Strong's 3592: </a> This here, this, that, he, she, it. the words λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. of the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_4413.htm">Strong's 4413: </a> First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> 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 <a href="/greek/strongs_2078.htm">Strong's 2078: </a> Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final. who ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. died ἐγένετο (egeneto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. returned to life. ἔζησεν (ezēsen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/2-8.htm">Revelation 2:8 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:8 To the angel of the assembly (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/2-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 2:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 2:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/2-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 2:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 2:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>