I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Greek, 'And THE LIVING ONE:' connected with Revelation 1:17.
And was, х egenomeen (G1096)] - 'and (yet) I became dead.'
Alive for evermore - `living unto the ages of ages:' not merely 'I live,' but I have, and am the Source of, life to my people. 'To Him belongs absolute being, contrasted with the creature's relative being: others may share, He only hath immortality; being in essence, not by participation, immortal' (Theodoret). B reads "Amen;" 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, Coptic, omit it. His having passed through death as one of us, and now living in the infinite plenitude of life, reassures us, since through Him death is the gate of resurrection to eternal life.
Have the keys of hell - `Hades;' Hebrew, 'Sheol.' "Hell," in the sense of the place of torment, answers to Gehenna. I can release from the unseen world of spirits and from DEATH whom I will. 'Aleph (') A B C transpose thus, 'Death and Hades.' Death (which came by sin, robbing man of his immortal birthright, Romans 5:12) peoples Hades; therefore should stand first. Keys are emblems of authority, opening and shutting at will 'the gates of Hades' (Psalms 9:13-14; Isaiah 38:10; Matthew 16:18).