Revelation 21 21

Revelation 21:21 kjv

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21 nkjv

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21 niv

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21 esv

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21 nlt

The twelve gates were made of pearls ? each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.

Revelation 21 verses

Revelation 21 21 Meaning

Revelation 21:21 describes the incredible gates and street of the New Jerusalem, portraying a city of unparalleled splendor, purity, and divine presence. The twelve gates, each fashioned from a single, enormous pearl, signify both immeasurable value and sacred access to the city of God. The street, made of pure gold resembling transparent glass, speaks to ultimate purity, divine light, and the clear revelation of God's glory throughout this holy dwelling. It represents a reality far exceeding earthly beauty, emphasizing divine holiness, absolute truth, and unrestricted access to God for those within His redeemed city.

Revelation 21 21 Context

Revelation 21 details the grand vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, culminating in the descent of the New Jerusalem from God. Following the final judgment and the defeat of all evil, this chapter describes the eternal dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. It is the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, a perfect abode free from sin, sorrow, death, and pain. The descriptions of the city—its walls, foundations, gates, and streets—are given to convey its divine origin, absolute purity, immense value, and the glorious presence of God within it. Verse 21 specifically highlights key structural elements of this heavenly city, emphasizing their unparalleled magnificence. Historically, John's audience would have been familiar with ancient city design, walls, and gates, understanding them as symbols of security, status, and control. The depiction of such a glorious city offers a profound contrast to the corrupt, earthly cities of their time, particularly Rome, portraying God's ultimate and everlasting reign. This imagery also served as a polemic against the false deities and human empires, showing that only the Lord God creates a city of eternal splendor and righteousness, surpassing any man-made constructs or idolized powers.

Revelation 21 21 Word analysis

• And the twelve gates (καὶ αἱ δώδεκα πύλαι - kai hai dōdeka pylai):
  • δύοδεκα (dōdeka): "Twelve" is a symbolic number throughout the Bible, representing completeness and divine governmental order (12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles). It signifies the inclusion of all God's people from both Old and New Testaments.
  • πύλαι (pylai): "Gates" refer to entrances to a city. In biblical and ancient contexts, gates were vital for defense, trade, and legal proceedings. Their grandeur here indicates majesty and significance, but also imply accessibility, as seen in Rev 21:25.
• were twelve pearls (ἦσαν δώδεκα μαργαρῖται - ēsan dōdeka margaritai):
  • μαργαρῖται (margaritai): "Pearls" were exceptionally rare and valuable in the ancient world, acquired through arduous diving. Their beauty, purity, and organic formation from something irritant in an oyster sometimes symbolize the transformation of hardship into beauty or great value. Here, it denotes supreme preciousness and beauty.
• every several gate was of one pearl (ἑκάστη τῶν πυλῶν ἦν ἐξ ἑνὸς μαργαρίτου - hekastē tōn pylōn ēn ex henos margaritou):
  • ἑκάστη (hekastē): "Each" or "every one," emphasizes the unique and individual splendor of each gate.
  • ἑνός (henos): "One," highlights the incomprehensible size and singular perfection of each pearl. To imagine a gate the size of an enormous city gate made of a single pearl underscores its divine, non-earthly nature and immeasurable value. This signifies that entry into God's city is of incomparable worth, costly yet freely given.
• and the street of the city (καὶ ἡ πλατεῖα τῆς πόλεως - kai hē plateia tēs poleōs):
  • πλατεῖα (plateia): "Street" refers to a broad way or public square, a main thoroughfare. It is the place of activity and congregation within the city.
• was pure gold (χρυσίον καθαρόν - chrysion katharon):
  • χρυσίον (chrysion): "Gold" universally represents ultimate value, wealth, divinity, and enduring quality. It was extensively used in the Tabernacle and Temple furnishings, signifying God's holiness and presence.
  • καθαρόν (katharon): "Pure," denotes unadulterated, free from impurities. This emphasizes the absolute holiness and righteousness of God's dwelling, where no sin can exist.
• as it were transparent glass (ὡς ὕαλῳ διαυγὴς - hōs hyalō diaugēs):
  • ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like," is a simile, indicating that it is like transparent glass, not literally glass, but sharing its qualities.
  • ὕαλῳ (hyalō): "Glass" in the ancient world was often cloudy and opaque, making the mention of transparent glass a significant feature. Transparent glass was rare and highly prized, representing clarity and purity.
  • διαυγὴς (diaugēs): "Transparent" or "luminous," capable of being seen through. This suggests that the gold is not merely solid, opaque wealth, but luminous, radiant, and perfectly clear. This evokes a sense of spiritual purity, revealing everything, with no hidden dark spots. It implies a place where light shines freely, and God's glory is visible through everything.

Revelation 21 21 Bonus section

The gates being of individual pearls (ἑκάστη... ἐξ ἑνὸς) speaks to a level of magnitude and uniqueness that is impossible to comprehend in earthly terms. This suggests not just wealth, but an organic, perfect beauty that is unparalleled. Furthermore, the gates of the New Jerusalem are never shut (Rev 21:25), despite being made of precious pearl, signifying constant, open access to God's presence and protection simultaneously, something impossible in any earthly city. This openness conveys a message of unrestricted grace and welcome for all who belong to the Lamb, directly contrasting earthly cities with their barriers and controlled entries. The "transparent gold" points to a new reality of absolute honesty and integrity in God's presence, where there are no shadows for sin to hide, everything is fully illuminated by God's glorious light.

Revelation 21 21 Commentary

Revelation 21:21 offers a glimpse into the incomprehensible glory of the New Jerusalem, using symbols of immense earthly value—pearls and gold—but transcending them to describe a spiritual reality. The twelve gates of single, giant pearls do not just speak of material wealth but point to the unparalleled preciousness of entering God's presence, an entry secured by the "pearl of great price" (Christ) and by God's grace. The concept of individual gates made from one massive pearl speaks of singular perfection and unity. The "street of pure gold like transparent glass" is particularly striking. Gold typically connotes opacity and solidity; making it "transparent" indicates a realm where divine light permeates every aspect, a place of perfect clarity, truth, and holiness. It suggests that nothing is hidden in God's eternal dwelling. Unlike opaque earthly wealth that can conceal sin or impurity, this divine gold is wholly radiant and revealed. This magnificent imagery ensures that believers understand the heavenly abode is not merely better, but fundamentally different, a place of profound divine presence, access, and untainted glory that far surpasses any earthly city or treasure. This eternal city is not simply a reward, but the consummation of God's communion with His people.