Bible Strands
Revelation 3:7
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The One who is holy and true addresses the angel (messenger) of the church in Philadelphia, opening the third of the seven letters in Revelation.
The words — Φιλαδελφεῖᾳ (Philadelpheia) is the city's Greek name, from philos (love) + adelphos (brother), literally "brotherly love." The recipient is angelō (ἀγγέλῳ), "messenger," the fixed addressee in all seven letters.
The thread — The "key of David" recalls Isaiah 22:22, where the key to the house of David is transferred to a new steward; Matthew 16:19 gives Peter the keys of the kingdom; Revelation 1:18 has Christ holding the keys of Death and Hades.
Why it lands — The claim is unilateral: no human power reverses what God opens or shuts. It frames the "open door" of verse 8 as an act of divine authority, not a negotiation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Cross-references
- Isaiah 22:22 I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
- Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
- Revelation 1:18 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.
- Job 12:14 What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
- Mark 1:24 “What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
- Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
- Isaiah 41:14 Do not fear, O Jacob, you worm, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
- Revelation 6:10 And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”
- Isaiah 54:5 For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.