Revelation 22:11 kjv
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Revelation 22:11 nkjv
He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."
Revelation 22:11 niv
Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy."
Revelation 22:11 esv
Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy."
Revelation 22:11 nlt
Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy."
Revelation 22 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 12:10 | Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white... and the wicked shall act wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. | Fulfillment: Prophecy of final states. |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! | Contrast: Distortion of moral judgment leading to a fixed corrupt state. |
| Isa 60:21 | Your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I might be glorified. | Promise: Future state of confirmed righteousness for God's people. |
| Zech 14:20-21 | On that day there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, "Holy to the LORD." And the pots in the house of the LORD shall be like the bowls before the altar... | Context: Purity and holiness in the new Jerusalem, contrasting with the unclean. |
| Matt 25:46 | And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. | Consequence: Eternal destinies for wicked and righteous. |
| John 3:19 | And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. | Foundation: People's choice defining their moral state and judgment. |
| Rom 2:6-8 | He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking... | Judgment: God's justice in confirming choices and actions. |
| Rom 2:9-10 | There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good... | Judgment: Specific consequences for actions. |
| 1 Cor 15:50 | I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. | Transformation: Need for incorruptible nature for heavenly inheritance. |
| 2 Cor 6:2 | For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is the day of salvation! | Contrast: Urgency of change before the sealing of character. |
| Heb 3:7-8 | Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion..." | Contrast: Opportunity for repentance closing. |
| Heb 10:26-27 | For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment... | Warning: Finality for those who reject the truth. |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Exhortation: Active pursuit of the state required to see God. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." | Mandate: Reflecting God's nature through active holiness. |
| Rev 21:7-8 | The one who conquers will have this heritage... But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. | Elaboration: List of the wicked who are confirmed in their state. |
| Rev 21:27 | 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. | Restriction: Only the pure and righteous enter God's presence. |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." | Assurance & Call: God's knowledge and man's responsibility to separate from sin. |
| Ezek 18:24 | But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? | Moral Choice: Reversibility of state during life, contrasting with Revelation's finality. |
| Prov 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. | Growth: Ongoing positive progression, sealed in Revelation 22. |
| 1 John 3:7 | Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. | Definition: Character is defined by consistent practice. |
| Ps 5:4-5 | For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers. | God's Nature: Incapacity for evil to abide in God's presence. |
| 1 Sam 2:2 | "There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; neither is there any rock like our God." | God's Holiness: The standard against which all other holiness is measured. |
Revelation 22 verses
Revelation 22 11 Meaning
Revelation 22:11 is a solemn declaration of finality regarding human moral character at the Lord's return. It is not a command for people to continue in their current state, but a prophetic pronouncement that a fixed point will arrive, likely the moment of Christ's second coming and the final judgment, when one's moral state—be it unjust and filthy, or righteous and holy—will become eternally immutable. This verse underscores the irrevocability of spiritual destinies and the definitive sealing of human choices.
Revelation 22 11 Context
Revelation 22:11 stands at the culmination of the prophetic narrative of the Bible, specifically at the conclusion of John's vision in the book of Revelation. It follows a direct warning about adding or taking away from the words of the prophecy (Rev 22:18-19) and precedes the final prayers for Jesus' return. The immediate context of Revelation 22 focuses on the River of Life, the Tree of Life, the glory of the New Jerusalem, and the imminence of Christ's return ("I am coming soon"). This verse serves as a climactic declaration within this context, signifying that once the final consummation begins, the time for changing one's spiritual allegiance and moral state will be definitively over. It functions as a sober endpoint, echoing the urgency found throughout Revelation for humanity to respond to God's warnings and invitations to repentance before that door closes. Historically and culturally for the original audience, it reinforces the ancient understanding of divine judgment where moral accountability has eternal consequences, often depicted in apocalyptic literature.
Revelation 22 11 Word analysis
- He that is unjust: From Greek ho adikōn (ὁ ἀδικῶν), meaning "the one doing injustice" or "the one who acts unrighteously." The present participle indicates a habitual, ongoing state or a defining characteristic. This refers to someone whose life is characterized by wrongdoing, living contrary to God's standards.
- let him be unjust still: From Greek adikesatō eti (ἀδικησάτω ἔτι). Adikesatō is an aorist imperative, functioning not as a command to do injustice, but as a solemn permission or a declarative statement of what will be allowed to persist. Eti (ἔτι) means "still," "yet," or "henceforth." It signifies that the state is confirmed or allowed to continue permanently.
- and he which is filthy: From Greek ho rhyparos (ὁ ῥυπαρὸς) or related terms like rhypainetō (ῥυπαινέτω) in some manuscripts. Rhyparos means "foul," "dirty," "morally unclean," or "polluted." This describes one whose character is morally defiled, corrupted by sin.
- let him be filthy still: From Greek rhypantheto eti (ῥυπανθήτω ἔτι) or rhypainetō eti. An aorist imperative again, denoting a fixed, unchangeable state of moral defilement that is permitted to remain. This means such individuals are sealed in their impurity.
- and he that is righteous: From Greek ho dikaios (ὁ δίκαιος), meaning "the righteous one," "the just one." This describes a person whose life and actions are aligned with God's perfect standard, a state granted by God through faith and manifested through upright living.
- let him be righteous still: From Greek dikaiothētō eti (δικαιωθήτω ἔτι). An aorist imperative meaning "let him be made righteous still" or "let him continue to be declared righteous." It signifies that the state of righteousness will be eternally confirmed and maintained.
- and he that is holy: From Greek ho hagios (ὁ ἅγιος), meaning "the holy one," "the sacred one," "set apart for God." This refers to someone who has been consecrated to God and lives in a state of spiritual purity, progressively reflecting God's character.
- let him be holy still: From Greek hagiasthētō eti (ἁγιασθήτω ἔτι). An aorist imperative signifying "let him be sanctified still" or "let him continue to be holy." This means that the state of holiness will be perfectly and eternally established, free from all defilement.
Words-group analysis:
- "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still" / "he which is filthy, let him be filthy still": These two parallel clauses describe those who have persisted in rebellion and impurity. The emphasis is on the sealing of a negative, unrepentant moral state. It indicates the removal of any further opportunity for repentance or change of heart for those who have chosen a path contrary to God.
- "he that is righteous, let him be righteous still" / "he that is holy, let him be holy still": These two parallel clauses describe those who have faithfully followed God and pursued lives of uprightness and consecration. The emphasis is on the divine confirmation and perfection of their character. This is a reassuring promise that their positive moral and spiritual state will be eternally preserved and glorified.
- The structure of repetition ("let him be... still"): The fourfold repetition of "let him be... still" acts as a strong literary device to underscore the definitive and irreversible nature of the moral destinies. It highlights that the period for change and decision has ended, and each person's eternal standing will align with their persistent moral character developed during their earthly life.
Revelation 22 11 Bonus section
- The timing of "still": While not precisely stated, the implication is that this declaration takes effect at the parousia (Christ's second coming) or immediately preceding the final state described in Revelation 21-22. It marks the close of the probationary period for humanity.
- Contrast with current opportunity: This verse implicitly stands in stark contrast to numerous New Testament passages urging repentance, faith, and transformation now (e.g., Acts 17:30, 2 Cor 6:2, Rev 3:20). It highlights the limited time for making the decisive choice for Christ.
- Divine decree and human responsibility: The phrasing "let him be" can be understood as both a divine decree allowing the consequences of choices to unfold and a reflection of the inherent nature of character, which becomes solidified over time. God honors the path one has chosen, leading it to its ultimate, immutable end.
- Purpose: This verse serves as both a final warning to the unrepentant and an assurance of security for the redeemed, emphasizing that their faithful walk has eternal significance and reward. It underscores the urgency of sanctification.
Revelation 22 11 Commentary
Revelation 22:11 serves as a stark and final statement regarding eternal destinies. It is not an encouragement to sin or righteousness but a prophetic declaration that, at the critical juncture of Christ's return and the final judgment, individual character traits forged in life—be they characterized by rebellion and impurity, or by righteousness and holiness—will become eternally fixed. This signifies the cessation of the opportunity for repentance and change. For those who persistently rejected God, their state of injustice and defilement will be cemented, confirming their separation from God. Conversely, for the faithful, their righteousness and holiness will be divinely ratified and perfected, establishing them in eternal blessedness with God. This verse underscores divine justice and the ultimate accountability for the choices made in this earthly life, urging believers to live with urgency and perseverance in their walk with the Lord.