Revelation 21:10 kjv
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:10 nkjv
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:10 niv
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
Revelation 21:10 esv
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:10 nlt
So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
Revelation 21 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 8:3 | He stretched out what looked like a hand... and lifted me up by a lock of my hair. The Spirit lifted me between heaven and earth and carried me in visions of God to Jerusalem... | Spirit transportation/visionary experience |
| Ezek 11:24 | Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Chaldea—in the vision by the Spirit of God. So the vision that I had seen left me. | Spirit-enabled prophetic transport |
| Ezek 40:2 | In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on which was what looked like the structure of a city to the south. | High mountain vision of a city/temple |
| Exod 24:15-18 | Then Moses went up on the mountain... The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai... and Moses entered the cloud... | Mountain as place of divine revelation |
| Isa 2:2 | In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as the highest of the mountains... and all nations will stream to it. | Mountain as God's dwelling/gathering place |
| Psa 48:1 | Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. | Jerusalem as God's holy mountain |
| Isa 52:1 | Awake, awake, O Zion; clothe yourself with strength! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. | Prophecy of Jerusalem as "holy city" |
| Dan 9:24 | ...to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place. | "Holy City" as an object of prophetic focus |
| Heb 11:10 | For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. | Heavenly city awaited by faith, divinely built |
| Heb 11:16 | Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one... He has prepared a city for them. | God preparing a heavenly city for His people |
| Heb 12:22 | But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God... | Believers approaching heavenly Jerusalem |
| Gal 4:26 | But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. | "Jerusalem above" distinct from earthly |
| Rev 3:12 | The one who is victorious... I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God. | New Jerusalem from heaven (earlier mention) |
| Rev 21:2 | I saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. | Rev 21:10 is an expansion of this vision |
| Isa 60:14 | ...they will call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. | Prophecy of redeemed Jerusalem's new name |
| Zech 8:3 | "Thus says the LORD: 'I will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the Holy City...'" | God dwelling in Holy City |
| Exod 19:3 | Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying... | Mountain as a place of direct address from God |
| Psa 3:4 | To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy mountain. | God's response from His holy dwelling |
| Zech 14:10 | ...Jerusalem will be lifted up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate and on to the Corner Gate... | Literal, but symbolic raising of Jerusalem |
| Joel 3:17 | "Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her." | God dwelling in a holy Jerusalem |
| Psa 87:1 | His foundation is in the holy mountains. | God's city founded on holy mountains |
| Rev 1:10 | On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit... | John's prior 'in the Spirit' experiences |
| Matt 4:8 | Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. | High mountain for perspective/vision (contrast) |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them; I will be their God, and they will be my people." | God's ultimate dwelling with His people |
| Lev 26:12 | I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. | Promise of God's dwelling with His people |
| Rev 22:3-4 | No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face... | God's immediate presence in the city |
Revelation 21 verses
Revelation 21 10 Meaning
Revelation 21:10 describes a pivotal vision given to John by an angel, where he is supernaturally transported to a vantage point on a magnificent mountain. From this elevated position, the angel reveals to him the New Jerusalem, depicting it as a sacred city, fully consecrated to God, descending directly from heaven. This imagery signifies the divine origin and perfect nature of God's ultimate dwelling place with His redeemed people, embodying His presence and glory.
Revelation 21 10 Context
This verse occurs immediately after the beginning of the detailed description of the New Jerusalem, following John's declaration in Revelation 21:1-8 about the new heaven and new earth, the eradication of suffering, and God making all things new. Verse 9 states that one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls showed John the "bride, the wife of the Lamb," connecting the holy city with the redeemed people of God. Verse 10 initiates a profound visionary exposition of this "bride" in its perfected form as the New Jerusalem. Historically, this vision provides immense hope and comfort to the persecuted early church, assuring them of a divine future radically different from their present earthly struggles and the corrupt imperial systems surrounding them. It refutes human pride in earthly cities and powers by showcasing a divinely built, perfect city from above.
Revelation 21 10 Word analysis
- And he carried me away: Greek Kai apēnenken me. The "he" refers to one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls (from Rev 21:9), indicating angelic guidance in this supernatural visionary experience. It mirrors other prophetic transports in Scripture (e.g., Ezek 8:3).
- in the Spirit: Greek en Pneumati. Signifies John's altered state of consciousness, being under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit, enabling him to receive and perceive divine revelation that transcends ordinary human experience. It denotes spiritual insight and divine agency.
- to a great, high mountain: Greek epi oros mega hupsēlon. Mountains in biblical narrative often serve as locations for divine revelation, profound encounters with God (e.g., Mount Sinai for the giving of the Law), or as a vantage point to observe significant events. The description "great, high" emphasizes the immense scope, majesty, and elevated perspective necessary to comprehend the New Jerusalem in its full glory and significance.
- and showed me: The angel's function is to serve as a guide and interpreter, presenting the divine revelation to John for him to record.
- the holy city: Greek tēn polin tēn hagian. The definite article emphasizes that this is the city. "Holy" (hagia) denotes absolute purity, consecration, and separation for God's purposes. This city is intrinsically holy, not by human effort or dedication, but by divine origin and nature, being entirely set apart for God.
- Jerusalem: Greek Hierousalēm. This specific naming connects the ultimate eschatological reality with the historical hopes and promises made to Israel. It signifies the fulfillment and culmination of all God's redemptive plans centered around His dwelling among His people, but transformed from its earthly, often flawed, counterpart into its perfect, heavenly form. It represents not merely a physical location but the spiritual dwelling of God's people.
- coming down out of heaven: Greek katabainousan ek tou ouranou. This phrase highlights the divine origin of the city, stressing that it is entirely God's work, a gift from Him. It is not built by human hands or achievements, distinguishing it from all earthly cities, which are subject to corruption and fall. This descending motion signifies divine initiation and completion, an act of grace rather than human striving.
- from God: Greek apo tou Theou. Reinforces the city's divine source, perfection, and inviolable nature. It means the city emanates directly from God's essence and will, carrying His character of holiness, peace, and light. It is a divine reality, embodying the perfect will of God for His redeemed creation.
Revelation 21 10 Bonus section
The "New Jerusalem" is closely identified with the "bride, the wife of the Lamb" (Rev 21:9), meaning it is not merely a literal city but also a representation of the perfected people of God, the Church, united with Christ. The description of the city descending from heaven emphasizes its status as a gift of grace from God, rather than a human accomplishment. Furthermore, the term "new" in "New Jerusalem" in the Greek (kainos) denotes a qualitative newness, signifying that it is fresh, superior, and different in essence from anything prior, not just a renovated version of the old. This heavenly city is the ultimate manifestation of God's Kingdom established on a renewed earth, signifying the end of sorrow, death, and sin, and the beginning of eternal, face-to-face communion with God and the Lamb.
Revelation 21 10 Commentary
Revelation 21:10 transports the reader alongside John into an extraordinary visionary encounter with the New Jerusalem, the climactic depiction of God's dwelling with His redeemed people. The symbolic ascent to a "great, high mountain" underscores the immense and encompassing nature of the revelation, offering a divine perspective beyond human limitations. This "holy city, Jerusalem," descending "out of heaven from God," emphasizes its entirely divine origin and pure character, contrasting sharply with all earthly cities tainted by sin and human imperfections. It is a revelation of perfect shalom and divine presence, where God finally tabernacles eternally with humanity, bringing His creation to its intended perfection. This city, ultimately embodying the people of God, signifies the complete actualization of God's covenant promises, a place of unmarred fellowship and worship in His presence.