Revelation 21:17 kjv
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
Revelation 21:17 nkjv
Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
Revelation 21:17 niv
The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.
Revelation 21:17 esv
He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement.
Revelation 21:17 nlt
Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel).
Revelation 21 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Measurements & Architecture | ||
| Rev 11:1 | And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar... | Divine instruction to measure spiritual things. |
| Rev 21:15 | And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. | The context of measuring the New Jerusalem. |
| Rev 21:16 | The city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed... | Precedes the wall measurement, overall city dimensions. |
| Ezek 40:5 | And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long... | Detailed temple measurements in vision, parallels Revelation. |
| Ezek 48:35 | It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there. | Precise measurements for ideal city/temple in prophecy. |
| Zech 2:1 | I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. | Vision of measurement for Jerusalem, divine order. |
| Isa 40:12 | Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span... | God as the ultimate measurer of creation. |
| Angelic Interaction & Revelation | ||
| Rev 1:1 | The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass... | Angelic communication of divine truth to John. |
| Dan 8:16 | And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. | Angels providing understanding of visions. |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? | Angels serving God's purposes for humanity. |
| John 1:18 | No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. | Christ as the ultimate interpreter of God. |
| Phil 2:6-7 | Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took... | Divine nature condescending to human form for communication. |
| Symbolic Numbers (12, 144) | ||
| Rev 7:4 | And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes.. | 144,000 as representing the complete number of God's redeemed. |
| Rev 14:1 | And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand... | The Lamb and the 144,000 on Mount Zion. |
| Rev 21:12 | And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon... | Twelve, foundational number in New Jerusalem's design. |
| Rev 21:14 | And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. | Twelve, connected to apostles and foundations. |
| Eph 2:20 | And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone... | Apostles as foundational for God's building, linking to 'twelve foundations'. |
| New Creation & Heavenly City | ||
| Heb 11:10 | For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. | Abraham seeking the eternal city, prefiguring New Jerusalem. |
| Heb 12:22 | But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem... | The heavenly Jerusalem as a spiritual reality. |
| Gal 4:26 | But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. | The spiritual "Jerusalem above." |
| Isa 65:17 | For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. | Prophecy of the new creation where New Jerusalem resides. |
| 2 Pet 3:13 | Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. | Expectation of new heavens and earth with righteousness. |
| Rev 21:23-27 | And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it... | The glorious nature and security of the New Jerusalem. |
Revelation 21 verses
Revelation 21 17 Meaning
Revelation 21:17 describes a specific dimension of the New Jerusalem: the height of its wall, which is measured as 144 cubits. This measurement is then clarified as being "according to human measure, which is also an angel's measure." The verse implies a standard of divine perfection and security, communicated in a way comprehensible to humanity through an angelic medium. It emphasizes the perfect order and safety of God's dwelling place with His people in the new creation.
Revelation 21 17 Context
Revelation 21:17 is embedded within the breathtaking description of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:9-27), the ultimate dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. This vision follows the appearance of the new heavens and new earth, symbolizing God's complete renewal of creation after the final judgment. The passage meticulously details the city's attributes—its immense size (a perfect cube), precious materials, glorious light, and perfect security. Verse 17 specifically focuses on the wall's thickness, following the angel's measurement of the city itself (v. 15-16). The precision of the measurements, including the "human measure," underscores that while divine and heavenly, these realities are being communicated and made comprehensible for humanity, affirming the concrete reality of this future state for the original audience facing persecution. The polemic is against pagan ideals of chaotic, insecure afterlife or reliance on physical temples/cities that can be destroyed. The New Jerusalem stands as an indestructible, perfectly ordered, divine masterpiece.
Revelation 21 17 Word analysis
And (Καὶ - Kai): A simple conjunction, connecting this specific measurement of the wall to the preceding measurements of the city's overall dimensions in verse 16, indicating a continued, detailed description by the measuring angel.
He measured (ἐμέτρησεν - emerésen): The third person singular aorist indicative verb signifies a completed action by the previously mentioned angel (Rev 21:15). It underscores the systematic and precise nature of the revelation; these dimensions are not vague impressions but distinct, quantifiable details presented as concrete reality.
Its wall (τὸ τεῖχος αὐτῆς - to teichos autēs): Refers specifically to the protective barrier of the New Jerusalem. In ancient cities, walls symbolized security and defense against external threats. This highlights the city's perfect safety and impregnability in the new creation, unlike any earthly city.
One hundred forty-four cubits (ἑκατὸν τεσσαράκοντα τεσσάρων πήχεων - hekaton tessarakonta tessarōn pēchōn): The literal measurement given for the wall's thickness or height.
- 144: This number is highly symbolic in Revelation (e.g., the 144,000 in Rev 7:4, 14:1,3). It is derived from 12 x 12, emphasizing the concept of perfection and completion associated with God's people and His divine design. The number 12 is pervasive in biblical contexts: 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, 12 gates, 12 foundations. Here, it represents the absolute perfection and entirety of the church, encompassing both Old and New Testament believers, united in the security of God's perfect dwelling.
- Cubits (πηχῶν - pēchōn): A common ancient unit of measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18 inches (45 cm). Using "cubits" makes the measurement understandable to the original human audience.
According to human measure (μέτρον ἀνθρώπου - metron anthrōpou): This crucial phrase means "a human standard of measurement" or "how humans measure." It indicates that the previous cubit measurement, though of a divine structure, is being conveyed in terms familiar to human understanding. It bridges the gap between the divine vision and human comprehension. It does not imply a limitation but a translation.
Which is also an angel’s measure (ὅ ἐστιν ἀγγέλου - ho estin angelou): This explanatory clause emphasizes the unity of understanding between humanity (or human-given measure) and the angelic realm in conveying divine truth. It implies that the angel's measurement aligns perfectly with how a human would interpret or understand the cubit measurement. There is no discrepancy between the divine agent's standard and the human one, reassuring the reader of the accuracy and truthfulness of the revelation. This statement serves to validate the consistency of the measurement.
Words-group Analysis:
- "Its wall one hundred forty-four cubits": This specific, precise measurement for the wall's thickness (many scholars understand this as thickness rather than height, given the preceding colossal city dimensions and typical city wall proportions, and the term for "wall" usually refers to thickness/circuit, not height explicitly without other indicators), highlights both the practical security of the New Jerusalem and its perfect, divinely established design, symbolized by 144 (12x12).
- "According to human measure, which is also an angel's measure": This significant clarification underscores the principle that divine realities, though heavenly and ultimate, are conveyed to humans in comprehensible terms. The angel, a divine messenger, uses a standard readily understood by people. This ensures the integrity and accessibility of God's revelation, indicating that the human understanding of these spiritual realities, guided by divine messengers, is accurate and trustworthy. It dispels any notion that the angel's perspective or measurement differs fundamentally from what is communicated to John for humanity.
Revelation 21 17 Bonus section
The concept of the "measuring reed" and "measuring" found repeatedly in Revelation (and Ezekiel, Zechariah) signifies divine decree, purpose, and ownership. To measure something is to claim it, establish its boundaries, and delineate its precise form according to God's perfect will. This vision, communicated through an angel and described in human terms, demonstrates God's profound desire for His people to grasp the glory and tangible reality of their future inheritance, removing all doubt about the substance and security of the New Jerusalem. The massive wall (even at 144 cubits, which is about 216 feet or 66 meters if referring to thickness) symbolizes an unbreachable defense, implying that no evil can ever again enter or threaten the dwelling place of God and His redeemed. The glory and security are inherently tied to its divine design and complete numerical perfection.
Revelation 21 17 Commentary
Revelation 21:17 offers a fascinating detail about the New Jerusalem, focusing on its wall’s measurement: 144 cubits. This measurement, likely representing the wall’s thickness, powerfully symbolizes perfect security and God's completed work. The number 144 (12x12) is deeply rooted in biblical symbolism, representing the entirety and perfection of God's people—the twelve tribes of Israel (Old Testament) and the twelve apostles of Christ (New Testament) united. It means that the security of this heavenly city rests upon the foundation of God’s complete redemptive plan.
The appended clarification, "according to human measure, which is also an angel’s measure," is crucial. It asserts the validity and comprehensibility of divine revelation to human beings. The angel, a heavenly being, presents dimensions in a standard that humans can understand (cubits). This shows a harmony between divine reality and human perception when it comes to God’s revelation. It implies that the perfect, ordered reality of the New Jerusalem is not some ethereal, unintelligible concept but a tangible, real dwelling, communicated in an accessible way for John and the original audience. This reinforces confidence in the literal reality of the new heavens and earth, reassuring those facing earthly instability and persecution of God’s enduring, perfectly secured future.