Revelation 19 8

Revelation 19:8 kjv

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:8 nkjv

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Revelation 19:8 niv

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)

Revelation 19:8 esv

it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure" ? for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Revelation 19:8 nlt

She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear."
For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people.

Revelation 19 verses

Revelation 19 8 Meaning

Revelation 19:8 describes the divine attire granted to the Bride, who represents the collective body of God's redeemed people. This "fine linen, clean and white" is explicitly stated to symbolize the "righteousness of saints." This signifies the pure and holy conduct, the righteous deeds, and the acts of obedience that believers perform, not by their own merit, but as a gracious empowerment from God, reflecting their sanctified lives and their readiness for eternal union with Christ.

Revelation 19 8 Context

Revelation chapter 19 describes the climactic triumph of God. It opens with great praise in heaven for the downfall of Babylon the Great, the oppressive world system. Following this declaration of justice and praise (vv. 1-6), the scene shifts to the anticipation of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Verse 7 states that "the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." Verse 8 immediately follows, detailing how the wife (the Church/saints) has prepared: by being granted fine, clean, white linen, which represents her righteous acts. This stands in stark contrast to the harlot (Babylon) who was adorned with earthly pomp and wickedness (Rev 17:4), highlighting the spiritual purity and divine equipping of God's people in preparation for Christ's eternal reign. The historical context reflects a Jewish culture where wedding garments symbolized honor and readiness, and purity was a high religious value, often expressed through clean, white attire.

Revelation 19 8 Word analysis

• And to her was granted (καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῇ – kai edothē autē):
  • was granted (ἐδόθη – edothē): This is the aorist passive indicative form of didomi, meaning "to give." The passive voice is significant, indicating that this is not something the bride earned or achieved on her own merit, but it was given to her by divine agency. It emphasizes God's sovereign provision and grace in equipping His people.
• that she should be arrayed (ἵνα περιβάληται – hina peribalētai):
  • arrayed (περιβάληται – peribalētai): From periballō, meaning "to throw around, to put on (a garment)." This implies being clothed, surrounded, or enveloped. It highlights the full covering and presentation of the bride. The passive voice ("should be arrayed") further supports the idea that the adornment is provided.
• in fine linen (βύσσινον – byssinon):
  • fine linen (βύσσινον – byssinon): A type of very fine, white linen, usually from Egypt. It was a costly and luxurious fabric, associated with wealth, royalty, and priestly garments (Exod 28:39; Luke 16:19). Its purity made it suitable for sacred uses, making it a fitting symbol for the Church's pure character.
• clean (καθαρόν – katharon):
  • clean (καθαρόν – katharon): Pure, spotless, ritually undefiled. It implies a moral and spiritual purity, without blemish. This goes beyond mere appearance; it signifies inner sanctification.
• and white (λαμπρόν – lampron):
  • white (λαμπρόν – lampron): Bright, radiant, gleaming, shining. Often used to describe something glorious or splendid (e.g., Jesus's transfiguration garments in Mark 9:3). It adds a quality of luminosity and splendor to the purity, indicating the Church's spiritual glory.
• for the fine linen is (γὰρ τὸ βύσσινον ἐστιν – gar to byssinon estin):
  • This phrase serves as an interpretive key, explicitly defining the symbolism of the linen. It directly links the physical garment to its spiritual meaning.
• the righteousness of saints (τὰ δικαιώματα τῶν ἁγίων – ta dikaiōmata tōn hagiōn):
  • righteousness (δικαιώματα – dikaiōmata): This is a crucial Greek term here. It is the plural of dikaiōma, meaning "righteous acts," "just decrees," "ordinances," or "requirements of justice." It differs from dikaiosynē, which typically refers to a state of righteousness (often Christ's imputed righteousness). Here, dikaiōmata points to the actual, concrete, righteous deeds or behavior performed by believers. These are not acts to earn salvation, but acts that result from salvation, empowered by God's Spirit.
  • saints (τῶν ἁγίων – tōn hagiōn): The genitive plural of hagios, meaning "holy ones," "set-apart ones." In the New Testament, it universally refers to all true believers in Christ, who are made holy by God's grace and set apart for His purposes.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed": This phrase emphasizes the divine initiative and grace. The Church's beautiful spiritual adornment is not self-made but divinely bestowed, highlighting that true purity and readiness for Christ come as a gift, not from human effort alone.
• "in fine linen, clean and white": This collective description of the garment highlights purity, sanctity, and glorious beauty. It suggests both internal and external holiness—a moral rectitude that is unblemished and shining forth. It contrasts sharply with the gaudy, unholy attire of Babylon the harlot (Rev 17:4), underscoring the spiritual nature and moral excellence of Christ's bride.
• "for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints": This is the interpretative core of the verse. It directly clarifies that the wedding garment symbolizes the righteous deeds performed by believers. This signifies the active, practical outworking of their faith and sanctification, which flow from their new life in Christ and are enabled by the Holy Spirit. These "righteous acts" are the evidence of genuine salvation and prepare the bride for union with the Lamb.

Revelation 19 8 Bonus section

The imagery of the Bride's garments serves as a direct polemic against the "Great Harlot" (Babylon) described earlier in Revelation. The harlot is depicted in gaudy, oppressive splendor (Rev 17:4), symbolizing earthly power, immorality, and false worship. In contrast, the Bride's attire of "fine linen, clean and white" represents spiritual purity, holiness, and true righteousness derived from God. This juxtaposition highlights the vast qualitative difference between the transient, corrupt allure of the world and the enduring, unblemished beauty of the Church in Christ. The fact that the linen is the righteousness of the saints, and that it "was granted" to them, signifies that the Bride's beauty is not inherent or self-produced, but is a divine impartation, confirming that all true goodness in the believer is ultimately God's work.

Revelation 19 8 Commentary

Revelation 19:8 provides a profound theological insight into the preparation and character of the Church as the Bride of Christ. The act of "being granted" this exquisite garment underscores that even the Church's righteousness is ultimately a gift of divine grace. While salvation is solely by faith in Christ's imputed righteousness (Rom 3:22, Phil 3:9), this verse highlights the necessary outflow: the "righteous acts" (dikaiōmata) performed by the saints. These are not mere human efforts to earn favor, but the practical expression of a transformed life, demonstrating sanctification through the Holy Spirit's empowerment. The "fine linen, clean and white" speaks of profound purity and moral excellence, contrasting with the world's defilement. It represents a life lived in active obedience, mirroring the holiness of Christ Himself, making the Church truly ready for her eternal union with the Lamb, shining in His glory.