Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 1:10

"I was in the Spirit on the Lord`s day, and I heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet" — Revelation 1:10 (ASV)

“I was in the Spirit” describes John’s experience on Patmos. The words imply being transported into the world of prophetic visions by the Spirit of God (4:2; 17:3; 21:10; cf. Ezekiel 3:12, 14; 37:1; Acts 22:17). At least the first vision—if not this whole book—was revealed on “the Lord’s [GK 3258] Day.” Since this is the only place in the NT where this expression is used, its identification is difficult. Some feel that John was transported into the great future day of the Lord, but John nowhere uses the common expression “the day of the Lord.” Most commentators, both ancient and modern, have taken the expression to mean Sunday, the first day of the week. This usage occurs early in the apostolic fathers. Tendencies toward recognizing Sunday as a day designated by Christ to celebrate his redemption occur even earlier in the NT (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). Such a reference would bind the exiled apostle to the worshiping churches in Asia through his longing to be with them on Sunday. More specifically, John may have had an Easter Sunday in mind.