Revelation 1:10

Berean Standard Bible
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
 
King James Bible
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
 
NET Bible
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day when I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
 
Greek Text:
ἐγενόμην ἐν πνεύματι ἐν τῇ κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ, καὶ ἤκουσα ὀπίσω μου φωνὴν μεγάλην ὡς σάλπιγγος
 
Transliteration:
egenomēn en pneumati en tē kyriakē hēmera, kai ēkousa opisō mou phōnēn megalēn hōs salpingos
 
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Bible Study:
 
On the Lord’s day
This phrase is significant in understanding the context of John's vision. The term "Lord's day" (Greek: Κυριακῇ ἡμέρᾳ, Kyriake hemera) is traditionally understood to refer to Sunday, the first day of the week, which early Christians observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. This day became distinct from the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) and was a time for worship and gathering for the early church. Historically, this reflects the shift in Christian practice from Jewish customs, emphasizing the new covenant and the centrality of Christ's resurrection in Christian faith.
 
I was in the Spirit
The phrase "in the Spirit" (Greek: ἐν Πνεύματι, en Pneumati) indicates a state of spiritual ecstasy or divine inspiration. This suggests that John was under the influence of the Holy Spirit, receiving revelation beyond ordinary human experience. This aligns with other biblical instances where prophets were moved by the Spirit to receive visions or messages from God (e.g., Ezekiel 37:1, Acts 10:10). It underscores the divine origin and authority of the revelation John is about to receive, affirming the belief that Scripture is God-breathed and inspired.
 
and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet
The imagery of a "loud voice like a trumpet" (Greek: φωνὴν μεγάλην ὡς σάλπιγγος, phonen megalen hos salpingos) conveys both authority and urgency. In biblical times, trumpets were used to signal important announcements or to gather people (e.g., Exodus 19:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). This auditory imagery suggests that the message John is about to receive is of great significance and demands attention. The voice's commanding presence emphasizes the divine authority behind the revelation, calling to mind the power and majesty of God who speaks to His people.
 
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Commentary:
 
“I was in the Spirit”: This phrase suggests that John, the author of the Book of Revelation, was in a state of spiritual ecstasy or deep prophetic vision. Being "in the Spirit" typically indicates a divine encounter where the natural senses are transcended, allowing for visions or revelations from God.
 
“On the Lord's Day”: This is one of the earliest references to what Christians generally interpret as Sunday, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, there's some debate among scholars:
Some see it as literally Sunday, the day Christians gathered for worship.
 
Others suggest it might be a reference to the "Day of the Lord," a prophetic, eschatological day associated with divine judgment or the return of Christ, not necessarily tied to a specific day of the week but rather to the end times.
 
“Heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet”: The sound of a trumpet often symbolizes announcements of significant divine messages or events in biblical literature. Here, it heralds the beginning of the visions or revelations that John will record. The voice from behind him might symbolize the unexpected or the divine nature of the message, coming from where John is not looking, emphasizing the otherworldly aspect of the experience.
 
This verse sets the stage for the dramatic and symbolic visions that follow in the Book of Revelation. It's an introduction to John's prophetic experience, where he will witness and record events concerning the end times, the struggle between good and evil, and the ultimate victory of God.
 
The interpretation of this verse can vary among different Christian denominations, particularly in how "the Lord's Day" is understood and what being "in the Spirit" fully entails in the context of John's visions.