Revelation 21:25 kjv
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Revelation 21:25 nkjv
Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
Revelation 21:25 niv
On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.
Revelation 21:25 esv
and its gates will never be shut by day ? and there will be no night there.
Revelation 21:25 nlt
Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there.
Revelation 21 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 60:11 | "Your gates will always stand open... That people may bring you the wealth of the nations..." | Perpetual access, nations enter New Jerusalem. |
| Isa 60:19 | "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine..." | God Himself is the ultimate light. |
| Isa 60:20 | "Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light..." | Everlasting light, no darkness or ending. |
| Zech 14:7 | "It will be a unique day—a day known only to the Lord—with no regular day or night, but at evening time there will be light." | Continuous light in the messianic age. |
| Rev 22:5 | "There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." | Directly reinforces absence of night, God's light. |
| Rev 21:4 | "He will wipe every tear... There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain..." | Elimination of all evil, contributing to safety. |
| Rev 21:23 | "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light..." | God is the light source, no night needed. |
| Psa 27:1 | "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" | God as light, source of fearlessness. |
| Psa 36:9 | "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." | God as the ultimate source of all light. |
| John 1:4 | "In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind." | Jesus as the life and light. |
| John 8:12 | "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness..." | Christ illuminating, overcoming darkness. |
| Isa 2:4 | "They will beat their swords into plowshares... nations will not take up sword against nation..." | Universal peace, no need for defense. |
| Mic 4:3 | "He will judge between many peoples... nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." | Global peace, abolishment of war. |
| Eph 5:8-9 | "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light..." | Believers walking in light, contrast to former darkness. |
| Col 1:12 | "...qualified you to share in the inheritance of your holy people in the kingdom of light." | Believers inherit kingdom of light. |
| 1 John 1:5 | "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." | Fundamental truth of God's nature. |
| Gen 1:3 | "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." | God as creator of light, prefiguring His eternal light. |
| 2 Cor 4:6 | "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts..." | God illuminating hearts with gospel light. |
| Phil 4:7 | "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds..." | The peace found in God's presence. |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy..." | Access to God's presence with confidence. |
| 1 Thess 5:5 | "You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness." | Believers as people of light, not darkness. |
| Joel 3:18 | "On that day the mountains will drip new wine... all the ravines of Judah will flow with water..." | Imagery of abundant blessing and peace. |
Revelation 21 verses
Revelation 21 25 Meaning
Revelation 21:25 describes a defining characteristic of the New Jerusalem, the holy city. Its gates are never closed, signifying continuous access, perpetual peace, and absolute security, for there is no darkness or need for protection. The absence of night indicates an unending day illuminated by God's glorious presence, eliminating any threat or fear, and ensuring unceasing worship and communion.
Revelation 21 25 Context
Revelation 21:25 is part of John's vision of the New Heavens and New Earth, culminating in the description of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:9-27). This chapter transitions from the cosmic renovation (Rev 21:1-8) to a detailed depiction of the eternal dwelling of God with humanity. The verses leading up to this point emphasize the removal of all evil, pain, and separation, asserting that God Himself will reside among His people (Rev 21:3). The city's immense size and precious materials highlight its glory and perfection. Verse 25 specifically details a significant architectural feature of this perfected city—its always open gates—and the reason for it—the absence of night, flowing from God's glorious light mentioned in Rev 21:23. This is in direct contrast to ancient cities, which heavily relied on closed gates at night for protection against threats, emphasizing the complete safety and peace within the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21 25 Word analysis
- And its gates (καὶ αἱ πύλαι αὐτῆς - kai hai pylai autēs): "Gates" (πύλαι - pylai) refer to the primary entry points of ancient cities, which were critical for defense and controlling access. Their condition spoke volumes about a city's security and state. In this context, these are not ordinary gates but those of the divine city.
- will never be shut (οὐ μὴ κλεισθῶσιν - ou mē kleisthōsin): This phrase employs a strong double negative (οὐ μή), emphatically signifying "never, by no means" in Greek. This stresses the absolute certainty that these gates will remain permanently open. This stands in stark contrast to the common practice in ancient walled cities of shutting their gates at dusk to protect against enemies, robbers, or wild animals. Its implication is one of ultimate peace, complete security, and unrestricted access, for there are no threats to guard against.
- by day, (ἡμέρας - hēmeras): This is a genitive of time, meaning "during the day" or "of day." While seemingly redundant if the gates are never shut, it accentuates that even the time typically associated with opening city gates will have no closing for these gates. This further emphasizes the continuous and eternal nature of their openness.
- for there will be no night there. (νὺξ οὐκ ἔσται ἐκεῖ - nyx ouk estai ekei): This clause provides the divine reason for the perpetual openness. The absence of "night" (νύξ - nyx) means there is no darkness, and thus no need for the protection that darkness might necessitate. Darkness in biblical imagery often symbolizes evil, danger, ignorance, or the absence of God's presence (Job 24:16, Isa 9:2). Its complete eradication signifies absolute light, purity, safety, and God's unceasing, pervasive glory illuminating the city, as previously stated in Rev 21:23 where God's glory provides the city's light.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "its gates will never be shut by day": This phrase communicates a state of unwavering accessibility and complete security. The perpetual openness is a profound symbol of the absence of all external threats. It indicates a world where protection mechanisms are no longer needed because vulnerability no longer exists. It also implies continuous welcome for all who are worthy to enter (Rev 21:27).
- "for there will be no night there": This explanatory clause roots the continuous openness in the very nature of the New Creation. The absence of night is not merely a climatic feature but a spiritual reality. Night represents the domain of darkness, danger, and separation from God's light. Its elimination underscores a realm of perpetual divine presence, truth, and safety, where every shadow of fear or evil is banished forever. This ensures perpetual peace, worship, and fellowship without interruption.
Revelation 21 25 Bonus section
The concept of eternally open gates echoes prophetic visions where Gentile nations bring their glory and honor into the city of God (Isa 60:11). The New Jerusalem is not a closed, exclusive entity but one of open access for those who belong to God (Rev 21:24, Rev 21:27). The complete elimination of night signifies a world devoid of the "works of darkness" (Rom 13:12), highlighting the triumph of light, truth, and holiness. This implies an environment of eternal clarity, understanding, and divine revelation, without the obfuscation or mystery that night often brings. The perpetual light signifies a state of unceasing wakefulness and activity, centered on the glorious presence of God. It's a complete inversion of the limitations and dangers of the current temporal order.
Revelation 21 25 Commentary
Revelation 21:25 vividly portrays the ultimate state of perfection and security in the New Jerusalem. The continuously open gates fundamentally convey that no threat exists, no enemy will ever assault the city, and no need for defense arises because God's immediate presence is the city's ultimate shield. This signifies absolute peace, not merely an absence of war but a deep, unshakeable tranquility. The absence of night means more than just literal perpetual daylight; it means the complete removal of everything associated with darkness: fear, danger, evil, ignorance, and spiritual separation. The light of God's glory eternally illuminates the city (Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5), ensuring unbroken communion, continuous praise, and full manifestation of divine truth and goodness. This eternal light brings everlasting safety, rest, and joyous access to the city and to God Himself for those who dwell within. Practically, this implies that in God's eternal presence, all anxieties are banished, and fellowship with Him is unceasing and without any barriers or need for cessation.