Text -- Revelation 2:8-11 (NET)

To the Church in Smyrna

2:8 “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: 2:9 ‘I know the distress you are suffering and your poverty (but you are rich). I also know the slander against you by those who call themselves Jews and really are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 2:10 Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. The devil is about to have some of you thrown into prison so you may be tested, and you will experience suffering for ten days. Remain faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown that is life itself. 2:11 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will in no way be harmed by the second death.’

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rev 2:8

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated due to differences between Greek and English style.

² tn The phrase “the following” after “write” is supplied to clarify that what follows is the content of what is to be written.

³ tn Grk “These things says [the One]…” See the note on the phrase “this is the solemn pronouncement of” in 2:1.

sn The expression This is the solemn pronouncement of reflects an OT idiom. See the note on this phrase in 2:1.

⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present between these two phrases.

NET Notes: Rev 2:9

¹ tn Or “know your suffering.” This could refer to suffering or distress caused by persecution (see L&N 22.2).

² tn Because of the length and complexity of this Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the phrase “I also know” to link this English sentence back to “I know” at the beginning of the verse.

³ tn The words “against you” are not in the Greek text, but are implied.

⁴ sn A synagogue was a place for Jewish prayer and worship, with recognized leadership (e.g., Mt 4:23, Mk 1:21, Lk 4:15, Jn 6:59).

NET Notes: Rev 2:10

¹ tn Grk “is about to throw some of you,” but the force is causative in context.

² tn Or “tempted.”

³ tn Or “experience persecution,” “will be in distress” (see L&N 22.2).

⁴ tn Grk “crown of life,” with the genitive “of life” (τῆς ζωῆς, th" zwh") functioning in apposition to “crown” (στέφανον, stefanon): “the crown that consists of life.”

NET Notes: Rev 2:11

¹ tn Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”