When Jesus said, “I am the First,” He wasn’t just making a poetic statement—He was revealing His divine identity, eternal nature, and supreme authority. This phrase, found in Revelation, connects directly to Old Testament declarations where God Himself says He is the “First and the Last.” By using the same words, Jesus was making a clear claim to being God, the one who existed before creation and holds everything together.
Understanding this statement helps you see Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet, but as the eternal source and ruler of all things—someone you can fully trust with your past, present, and future. There’s so much more packed into this title than meets the eye. Keep reading for a deeper dive into what the Bible actually says and why it matters for your life today.
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If you’ve ever read Revelation or heard Jesus referred to as “the First and the Last,” you might wonder—why did Jesus say “I am the First”? What does that actually mean? Let’s break it down clearly and directly, using the Bible as our foundation.
Where Does Jesus Say “I Am the First”?
You’ll find this exact phrase in the Book of Revelation, where Jesus speaks directly to the Apostle John:
“I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
— Revelation 1:17–18 (NIV)
He repeats it again later:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
— Revelation 22:13 (NIV)
So Jesus is clearly saying He’s the First. But to understand why, you need to look at what that phrase meant in a biblical and cultural context.
What Does “The First” Mean in the Bible?
In biblical language, “First” isn’t just about time—it’s about supremacy, authority, and origin.
Here’s what it implies:
- Pre-existence – Jesus existed before anything else.
- Authority – He is above all things.
- Eternity – He has no beginning and no end.
- Divine identity – He shares titles with God the Father.
This phrase isn’t casual. When Jesus says “I am the First”, He’s making a divine claim.
Let’s walk through why this is such a powerful and loaded statement.
1. “The First” Points to Jesus’ Eternal Nature
The Bible starts like this:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1
But then, in John 1:1, John parallels that and takes it further:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Then in John 1:14:
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
Jesus, as the Word, wasn’t created—He was already there at the beginning. So when Jesus says “I am the First”, He’s reminding you that He existed before all creation.
In fact, Colossians 1:17 says:
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
So Jesus isn’t just first in order, He’s first in cause and power.
2. “The First” Ties Jesus to God’s Identity in the Old Testament
This part’s huge. In Isaiah, God calls Himself the First and the Last—the exact same title Jesus uses.
“This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.”
— Isaiah 44:6
Only God is “the First and the Last.” So when Jesus says it, He’s not just describing Himself—He’s claiming to be God.
For a Jewish audience (like John), this was unmistakable. Jesus was equating Himself with Yahweh. That’s why this statement is so bold and critical.
3. “The First” Means Jesus is Supreme in Rank
In biblical culture, the “firstborn” or “first” always had priority, inheritance rights, and authority. It wasn’t just about birth order—it was a title of preeminence.
Look at Colossians 1:15:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
That doesn’t mean Jesus was created. “Firstborn” means He has priority over creation. He’s the source and ruler of it.
So when Jesus says “I am the First,” He’s saying:
- “I’m over all things.”
- “I’m not second to anyone.”
- “I’m in charge.”
4. “The First” Also Connects to the Resurrection
Revelation 1:18 (which we mentioned earlier) says:
“I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
This connects “the First” to Jesus being the first to rise from the dead permanently.
Paul explains this in 1 Corinthians 15:20:
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
By calling Himself “the First,” Jesus is also reminding us that He conquered death first, paving the way for all who believe in Him to follow.
5. “The First” Is Meant to Reassure and Strengthen Believers
Revelation is a book written to persecuted Christians. Jesus saying “I am the First” would’ve reminded them—and reminds you—of a few key truths:
- Jesus is in control, no matter how chaotic things seem.
- Nothing came before Him, so nothing can surprise or overpower Him.
- He started it all, and He will finish it.
In Revelation 1:17, when John sees Jesus and falls down in fear, Jesus says:
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.”
Why shouldn’t John be afraid? Because the One speaking has authority over time, death, and history itself.
Key Takeaways: What “I Am the First” Means for You
Here’s a quick breakdown:
1. Jesus is eternal
He was there before the beginning. He didn’t come into existence—He always was.
2. Jesus is divine
He uses a title only God uses. He’s not just a teacher or prophet—He’s God in flesh.
3. Jesus is supreme
He holds first place in everything. Creation, resurrection, and judgment all begin with Him.
4. Jesus is trustworthy
Because He’s the First, you can trust Him with your past, your present, and your future.
Final Thoughts
When Jesus says “I am the First,” He’s not just tossing out a poetic phrase. He’s making one of the boldest declarations of His identity in all of Scripture.
- He’s saying He is God.
- He’s saying He reigns above all things.
- He’s saying you can trust Him, no matter what.
So the next time you read that phrase, don’t skim over it. Hear what Jesus is saying loud and clear:
“I’ve always been here. I started it all. And I’ll be here at the end. I’ve got this. And I’ve got you.”
Want to go deeper? Read these passages:
- Isaiah 44:6
- Revelation 1:17–18
- Colossians 1:15–20
- John 1:1–14
These will help you see why Jesus being “the First” isn’t just theology—it’s personal.
10 FAQs : “Why Did Jesus Say ‘I Am the First’? [What the Bible Actually Says]”
1. What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the First”?
When Jesus said, “I am the First,” He was declaring His eternal nature, divine authority, and preexistence. It means He existed before creation, reigns over all things, and is equal with God the Father.
2. Where in the Bible does Jesus say, “I am the First”?
Jesus says, “I am the First and the Last” in Revelation 1:17 and Revelation 22:13. These verses are part of His direct words to the Apostle John in a vision of heaven.
3. Is “I am the First” the same as “Alpha and Omega”?
Yes, they are connected. Jesus uses both in Revelation 22:13:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
“Alpha and Omega” are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, reinforcing the same point—Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.
4. Is Jesus claiming to be God when He says, “I am the First”?
Yes. In Isaiah 44:6, God says, “I am the First and I am the Last.” When Jesus uses that same title in Revelation, He’s making a direct claim to be divine—equal with God the Father.
5. Does “I am the First” mean Jesus was created first?
No. “The First” doesn’t mean Jesus was created. It means He pre-existed everything and holds first place in authority and rank, not order of creation. He’s eternal, not created.
6. Why is “I am the First” important to Christians today?
Because it shows that Jesus is eternal, sovereign, and trustworthy. If He’s the First—and the Last—you can trust Him with your life, your salvation, and your future.
7. How is “I am the First” connected to the resurrection?
In Revelation 1:18, Jesus says,
“I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever!”
He’s the first to rise from the dead never to die again, and He promises resurrection to those who follow Him.
8. What’s the difference between “the First” and “firstborn” in Colossians?
In Colossians 1:15, Jesus is called the “firstborn over all creation.” This doesn’t mean He was created. It means He has preeminence—He ranks first in authority and inheritance, as a royal heir.
9. What does Revelation 1:17–18 teach us about Jesus?
Revelation 1:17–18 reveals Jesus as the eternal, risen Savior who holds the keys of death and Hades. Saying, “I am the First,” reminds us He’s in control of life, death, and everything in between.
10. How can I explain “I am the First” to someone new to Christianity?
You can say: Jesus said, “I am the First” to show He existed before everything, holds all authority, and is equal with God. He’s not just a part of history—He started it, controls it, and will finish it.
