Revelation 21 27

Revelation 21:27 kjv

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:27 nkjv

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation 21:27 niv

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:27 esv

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelation 21:27 nlt

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty ? but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Revelation 21 verses

Revelation 21 27 Meaning

Revelation 21:27 comprehensively declares that the New Jerusalem, God's eternal dwelling with humanity, will be utterly devoid of anything that defiles. It strictly prohibits entry to anything unclean, anyone engaged in detestable practices, or any form of falsehood. The sole condition for admission is that one's name must be permanently recorded in the Lamb’s book of life, signifying divine election and redemption through Christ.

Revelation 21 27 Context

Revelation 21 provides a majestic vision of the new heaven and new earth, with the New Jerusalem descending from God. This chapter culminates the biblical narrative of redemption, portraying the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people, free from sin, death, and sorrow. Verses 10-26 describe the city's incredible beauty, radiance, precious materials, and light from the glory of God and the Lamb, emphasizing its perfection and divine presence. Verse 27 serves as a crucial boundary statement, clarifying who can enter this sacred space, providing a stark contrast to the welcoming, ever-open gates previously described. This gatekeeping highlights God's inherent holiness and the necessary purity for fellowship with Him, contrasting with any pagan concept where idols might have open access or unholy rites were practiced. For the original persecuted audience, it provided assurance of a pure, secure future free from the corruptions of the world around them, where justice would finally prevail and sin eradicated.

Revelation 21 27 Word analysis

• But (kai - καὶ): This Greek conjunction serves as a strong contrasting connector, introducing a definitive boundary and condition despite the glorious description of the city's gates always being open. It signals an exception to general accessibility, emphasizing the city's sanctity.
• nothing unclean (pān koinón - πᾶν κοινόν):
  • pān (πᾶν): "all," "every," signifying comprehensive totality. It implies that no single unclean thing, nor any part of anything that is unclean, will be allowed.
  • koinón (κοινόν): Refers to that which is "common," "profane," or "defiled." In a ceremonial sense, it meant unfit for sacred use (e.g., non-kosher food). Here, in an eschatological context, it extends to encompass anything morally or spiritually defiled by sin, reflecting complete impurity, utterly antithetical to God's holiness.
• will ever enter (ou mē eiselthē eis autēn - οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτήν): A highly emphatic double negative (ou mē) combined with the aorist subjunctive verb. This is the strongest possible prohibition in Greek, meaning "never under any circumstances," or "by no means will it enter." It assures the absolute purity and inaccessibility of the New Jerusalem to sin and its effects.
• it (autēn - αὐτήν): Refers directly to the New Jerusalem.
• nor anyone (oud’ ho poiōn - οὐδ’ ὁ ποιῶν): Literally, "nor the one doing." Continues the strict exclusion, shifting focus from things that are unclean to persons whose actions demonstrate unrighteousness.
• who does what is detestable (bdelygma - βδέλυγμα):
  • bdelygma (βδέλυγμα): "abomination," "detestable thing." This term carries significant Old Testament weight, typically referring to actions or objects utterly offensive and morally repugnant to God, often associated with idolatry (Deut 18:9), grievous sexual sins (Lev 18:22), or practices linked to spiritual rebellion against divine law. Its inclusion underscores the deep moral corruption that God cannot tolerate in His presence.
• or false (pseudos - ψεῦδος): "lie," "falsehood," "deceit." This includes not only spoken lies but also spiritual deception, false teachings, hypocrisy, and anything that fundamentally misrepresents the truth, which is embodied by Christ (Jn 14:6) and God's nature. It stands in direct opposition to the divine realm of absolute truth.
• but only (ei mē - εἰ μὴ): "except," "but only." This introduces the single, exclusive criterion for entry, presenting a clear contrast to those who are excluded.
• those whose names are written (hoi gegramménoi en tē bibliō tēs zoēs tou Arníou - οἱ γεγραμμένοι ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ Ἀρνίου):
  • gegramménoi (γεγραμμένοι): A perfect passive participle, indicating an action completed in the past with ongoing, enduring results. Their names "have been written" and remain so, suggesting a fixed, divinely initiated, and permanent record.
  • bibliō tēs zoēs (βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς): "book of life." A biblical concept (Ex 32:32, Phil 4:3, Rev 3:5) referring to God's heavenly registry of those predestined for salvation and eternal life, implying election and divine covenant.
  • tou Arníou (τοῦ Ἀρνίου): "of the Lamb." This specific ownership attributes the book—and thus salvation and eternal inclusion—exclusively to Jesus Christ, emphasizing His central role as the atoning sacrifice through whom redemption and eternal life are granted (Rev 5:6, Jn 1:29).

Words-group analysis

• "nothing unclean... nor anyone who does what is detestable or false": This composite phrase establishes the exhaustive list of exclusions. "Nothing unclean" sets a universal bar against any form of moral or spiritual defilement. The subsequent clauses, "nor anyone who does what is detestable or false," then particularize this exclusion to categories of human behavior that are fundamentally opposed to God's character. Together, they form a complete denial of access to all expressions of sin, reflecting God's absolute holiness and justice.
• "only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life": This powerful conditional clause presents the singular and indispensable criterion for entry. The emphasis on "written in the Lamb's book of life" highlights that entry is not by human merit, effort, or inherent righteousness, but by divine grace and sovereign election, made possible only through the atoning sacrifice and redemption accomplished by "the Lamb" (Jesus Christ). This defines the nature of citizenship in the New Jerusalem as a divinely bestowed privilege for those genuinely united with Christ.

Revelation 21 27 Bonus section

• Eternal Separation: This verse firmly establishes the definitive and eternal separation between the saved and the unsaved, and between righteousness and all forms of unrighteousness. There is no middle ground, and no impurities can pass into God's eternal home.
• Culmination of Old Testament Holiness: The principles of holiness and separation present throughout the Tabernacle and Temple regulations in the Old Testament find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment here. What was once ritually enforced is now eternally realized in character and divine grace.
• Divine Initiative: The passive voice "are written" (gegramménoi) emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in salvation. It is God who writes names in the book of life, not humans who earn their place. This speaks powerfully of God's grace and predestining purpose.
• Nature of New Jerusalem: This exclusion guarantees the eternal bliss and peace of the New Jerusalem. There will be no threat of moral decay, spiritual pollution, or false narratives, ensuring a perfectly pure environment where God is truly "all in all."

Revelation 21 27 Commentary

Revelation 21:27 acts as a stringent purification decree for the New Jerusalem, ensuring its absolute sanctity as God’s eternal dwelling. The exclusion of "nothing unclean" and "anyone who does what is detestable or false" sweeps away all forms of moral defilement, spiritual corruption, idolatry, and deceit. This reinforces the purity necessary for living in God's immediate presence. It underscores that God is fundamentally holy and cannot coexist with sin. The exclusive criterion for entry is belonging to Christ, signified by having one's name inscribed in "the Lamb’s book of life." This signifies that salvation and eternal life are solely by divine election and through the redemptive work of Jesus, emphasizing His unique role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. It means that access to this glorious future is granted only through Christ, purifying a people for Himself, resulting in a perfect city, free from all sin's blemishes, eternally secure in holiness and truth.