Translation commentary on Revelation 3:7

For the opening statement see 2.1, 8. Philadelphia, not a very large city, was a busy commercial center. It was the meeting point of roads from Sardis, from the coast, and from regions in the northeast and southeast.

For The words of see 2.1.

The holy one, the true one: these are divine titles. The holy one is God (4.8; 6.10). In the Bible “holiness” is the very essence of God, the quality that makes God what he is, different and set apart from human beings. It carries a sense of separateness from sin, of exclusiveness, of uniqueness. And this divine quality applies to objects or people who are set apart, dedicated to the service and worship of God. The people of God are called “the holy ones” or “the saints” (5.8; see also “the holy city” in 11.2; 21.2, and “the holy angels” in 14.10). “The Holy One of God” was a Messianic title (Mark 1.24; Luke 4.34; John 6.69), meaning one who was God’s servant and did God’s will. In this verse translators should avoid using words for holy that mean “taboo,” or words that refer to “purity” or “cleanness,” unless these can be used in an extended sense to refer to moral purity. Another way of translating the holy one, then, is “the one who faithfully serves God.” The Greek for the true one occurs also in 3.14 (“true witness”); 19.11 (“called … True”), and elsewhere. In this context it seems to mean “the true Messiah” (so Beckwith and Caird). But true here may have the meaning of “faithful” (see Psa 31.5; Isa 65.16, where “God of truth” means “a faithful God”), and so here it may mean “the faithful (or, trustworthy) one” in his service to God.

Who has the key of David: this is a statement of authority; the figure is used in Isa 22.22 of the king’s representative, Eliakim, who had the authority to rule the palace in the king’s name. The keys he carried were the sign of his authority. It is probable that of David means “of David’s kingdom,” that is, of the Messianic kingdom. Here the translator is urged not to imitate Good News Translation, inasmuch as “the key that belonged to David” implies that there was an actual key that once belonged to King David. All translations consulted have simply the key of David. Perhaps a footnote or an entry in the glossary can help the reader understand the meaning of this figure, or else the text itself can be translated “the key of authority” or “the key that shows he has authority.” It will be helpful in certain languages to put the word “King” or “High Chief” in front of the name David to identify this person for the reader; for example, “King David’s key of authority” or “the key of High Chief David.”

Who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens: this states more explicitly the supreme authority he has in God’s kingdom. In Matt 16.19 the keys represent the authority to enforce the laws of the kingdom. Revised Standard Version follows literally the Greek text in translating shall shut and opens; but it is better to translate both by future tenses, or else to imitate Good News Translation, “can close … can open.” One may also say “When he takes the key and opens a door, no one can close it, and when….”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 3:7

Section 3:7–13

Jesus spoke to the church at Philadelphia

In this section, Jesus spoke to the people who believed in him at Philadelphia. He prophesied that they would have an opportunity to do great things for him. He said that the Jews there would acknowledge that God loves the believers. Jesus then also said that he would protect them from a time of hardship. He encouraged them to remain strong in their faith. Lastly, he gave a promise to any believer who persevered in his faith.

Translate this section heading as you did for the other messages to the churches.

Paragraph 3:7–10

3:7a

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: You should translate this clause in the same way as you did in 3:1. You only need to change the name to Philadelphia.

3:7b–d

These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open: These words are an introduction to the words in 3:8–13. You should translate the phrase These are the words of the One who in a way similar to 3:1.

Jesus spoke these words about himself. He continues to speak in 3:8, using the pronoun “I.” In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that Jesus was talking about someone else here. If that is true in your language, indicate that Jesus spoke about himself. For example:

These are my words, and I am holy and true. I hold the key of David. What I open no one can shut, and what I shut no one can open.

3:7b

the One who is holy and true: The Greek words are literally “the holy one, the true one” (as in the Revised Standard Version). Both phrases are like titles. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

him who is the holy one and the true one
-or-
the holy and true one

holy: Here this word indicates that Jesus is perfect and unique, as God is. He only does what is right. He is different from all other beings because he is perfect and divine. Other ways to translate holy are:

sacred/divine
-or-
pure/perfect ⌊spiritually/morally⌋
-or-
unique/separate

true: Here the word true probably means “genuine” or “without lies.” Other ways to translate this word are:

⌊a man of⌋ truth
-or-

⌊one who speaks⌋ truth

3:7c–8b

These verses contain a metaphor about a key. These verses also contain a metaphor about opening or shutting something. Both metaphors refer to authority. See the notes below for more information.

3:7c

who holds the key of David: The Greek clause is literally “the one having the key of David.” John described Jesus as possessing this key. This clause figuratively represents the idea that he has the authority that the key represents. For example:

who has the key of David (Revised Standard Version)

the key of David: This phrase is a metaphor. The word key refers to authority. As King David had authority over the kingdom of God’s people, so Jesus also has authority over the kingdom. Jesus fulfills the prophecies that God gave about David’s descendant and heir. Jesus has the right to rule as that descendant.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the figurative meaning of authority. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the symbolic meaning in your translation. For example:

the key of ⌊authority over⌋ David’s ⌊kingdom⌋
-or-
the key of David, ⌊namely, authority over his kingdom⌋

• Translate the meaning without the symbol. For example:

full authority over David’s kingdom
-or-
the right to rule as king in David’s line/place

You may then want a footnote to explain the literal words. An example footnote is:

Literally: “the key of David.” This phrase refers to authority to rule.

• Translate literally and explain the Greek words in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The “key of David” refers to authority to rule God’s kingdom. God promised to David that his descendant would rule over that kingdom.

David: David was the second king of Israel. He lived about a thousand years before Revelation was written. He was faithful to God, and God promised him that someone from his family would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:16, Isaiah 9:6–7).

In some languages it will be helpful to say that David was the king of Israel, God’s people. For example:

⌊King⌋ David
-or-
David ⌊the former/ancient king of Israel⌋
-or-

⌊King⌋ David ⌊who ruled God’s people⌋ ⌊long ago⌋

3:7d

What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open: 3:7d continues describing Jesus. He has full authority. Once he decides something, no one can change that decision. The New Revised Standard Version follows the Greek word order and Greek grammar:

who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens

As in the above example, the Greek words are not a new sentence here. But in some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here, as the Berean Standard Bible does.

opens…shuts: These verses do not say what Jesus opens and shuts. The word “doors” is probably implied, as in 3:8b.

In some languages it is more natural to include the implied information in your translation. For example:

When he opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it. (New Century Version)

The words of 3:7d refers figuratively to authority. It probably refers specifically to the authority to let people enter through the door. Jesus makes all decisions about who can enter the kingdom of God’s people.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to opening and closing physical doors. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:

⌊He is sovereign, and so⌋ when he opens the door ⌊of/to the kingdom⌋ , no one can shut it, and when he shuts the door, no one can open it.

• Translate literally and explain its meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:

This saying indicates that Jesus allows some people to enter his kingdom and prevents others from doing so. ⌊He is sovereign, and⌋ he alone decides.

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