That is, on account of the word. The Greek is against the view that this means John was on Patmos in order to receive and record the visions there accorded him (see on v. 2). In the present passage the phrases “word of God” and “testimony of [concerning] Jesus” refer to his inspired witness to the gospel for more than half a century. This had been the sole motivating purpose of John’s life. In the bitter days of persecution under Domitian his fearless testimony became the occasion for banishment to Patmos (see p. 721).

A small island in the Aegean Sea about 55 mi. (c. 90 km.) southwest of Ephesus. It measures under 10 mi. north and south by about 6 mi. east and west (c. 16 km. by 10 km.), at its widest point. Patmos is rocky and barren. Its unusually broken coast line contains many inlets. Writing in A.D. 77, Pliny (Natural History iv. 12. 23) reports that the island was used as a penal colony, which fact explains John’s statement about being a “companion in tribulation.” The apostle was on Patmos as a Roman prisoner (see pp. 80-85).

 Some two centuries later, Victorinus of Petau (died c. A.D. 303) declared of the Revelation: “When John said these things he was in the island of Patmos, condemned to the labour of the mines [Latin metallum] by Caesar Domitian” (Commentary on the Apocalypse, on ch. 10:11; ANF, vol. 7, p. 353). The Latin word metallum may refer also to a quarry. Inasmuch as Patmos may have had quarries but gives no evidence of having had mines, the former is probably here intended. Pliny’s statement about Patmos being a penal colony is that of an informed contemporary of John, whereas that of Victorinus, though probable, must be classed as a tradition.

Or, “came to be,” implying that Patmos was not his permanent home, but that circumstances home, but that circumstances found John there.

Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “in Jesus.” Patience results from a vital connection with Him.

 Literally, “remaining under.” The word here implies the exercise of self-control to endure a difficult situation when, by a surrender of faith, release might be obtained from the pressure of persecution. In Christ, Christians have the strength to “remain under” “in Jesus.” See on Rom. 2:7; Rev. 14:12.

 That is, the kingdom of divine grace (see on Matt. 4:17. “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” Acts 14:22).

Apparently John was not alone in suffering persecution at this time.

See pp. 715-720.