Revelation 22 17

Revelation 22:17 kjv

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17 nkjv

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17 niv

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come!" Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17 esv

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Revelation 22:17 nlt

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let anyone who hears this say, "Come." Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

Revelation 22 verses

Revelation 22 17 Meaning

Revelation 22:17 presents a multifaceted, urgent invitation to salvation and eternal life, offered without cost. It emanates from the Holy Spirit and the Church, is to be echoed by those who hear, and is extended universally to anyone with spiritual thirst, inviting them to freely receive the life-giving provision from God. This final call in the Bible highlights God's unending grace and the collaborative work of His Spirit and people in beckoning humanity to Him.

Revelation 22 17 Context

Revelation 22:17 stands as one of the final verses in the entire Bible, positioned at the climax of the book of Revelation, just before John's closing testimony and benediction. The preceding verses have depicted the New Jerusalem, the perfect and eternal dwelling place for God's people, along with the Tree of Life and the River of Life flowing from God's throne (Rev 22:1-5). It directly follows a declaration of the blessedness of those who obey Christ's commandments and gain access to the tree of life (Rev 22:14). This verse is thus the ultimate, urgent invitation before the promised return of Christ and the final closing of God's redemptive history. It addresses an original audience facing persecution and uncertainty, offering them hope and a powerful call to extend the invitation of salvation. The emphasis on "freely" might also implicitly counter any contemporary beliefs or practices that sought to earn spiritual standing or relied on exclusive knowledge.

Revelation 22 17 Word analysis

• And: Connects the final invitation with the preceding descriptions and blessings.
• the Spirit (Greek: to Pneuma, το πνεῦμα): Refers to the Holy Spirit. This highlights His divine agency in convicting hearts, drawing people to God (Jn 16:8), and inspiring the invitation. The Holy Spirit is the active divine presence initiating this call.
• and the bride (Greek: hē ny'mphē, ἡ νύμφη): Refers to the Church, believers in Christ, as Christ's espoused body (Rev 21:2,9; Eph 5:25-27). This shows the Church's active role, prompted by the Spirit, in sharing the gospel and yearning for Christ's return.
• say (Greek: legousin, λέγουσιν): A present tense verb, indicating a continuous, ongoing invitation and proclamation. It's a living, active declaration.
• Come. (Greek: Erchou, Ἔρχου): An imperative, urgent command or plea. It carries a dual meaning: "Come" to Christ for salvation, and "Come" (Marana thah) as an appeal for Christ's swift return.
• And let him that heareth (Greek: kai ho akouōn, καὶ ὁ ἀκούων): Refers to anyone who hears the divine message, specifically the prophetic words of Revelation and the gospel. It implies understanding and internalizing the message.
• say, Come. (Greek: eiptō Erchou, εἰπάτω Ἔρχου): An imperative. Those who receive the invitation are compelled to join in extending it to others. This highlights the believer's responsibility to evangelize and echo the Spirit's call.
• And let him that is athirst (Greek: kai ho dipsōn, καὶ ὁ διψῶν): Refers to anyone with spiritual longing, a deep awareness of their need for God's grace and salvation. This isn't physical thirst but a yearning for spiritual fulfillment (Ps 42:1-2).
• come. (Greek: Erchesthō, ἐρχέσθω): Another imperative, emphasizing the open and inclusive invitation to all who feel this spiritual emptiness.
• And whosoever will, (Greek: kai ho thelōn, καὶ ὁ θέλων): Highlights the universal availability of salvation. It is God's will for all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) and also requires human willingness to respond.
• let him take (Greek: labetō, λαβέτω): An imperative. It means to actively receive or partake, not merely to observe.
• the water of life (Greek: to hydōr zōēs, τὸ ὕδωρ ζωῆς): A rich metaphor for eternal salvation, spiritual renewal, and the life-giving presence of the Holy Spirit (Jn 4:10-14, 7:37-38). It references the pure river in the New Jerusalem (Rev 22:1-2) and stands in contrast to earthly, transient water.
• freely. (Greek: dōrean, δωρεάν): Without cost, as a gift. Emphasizes that salvation and eternal life are received purely by God's grace, not earned by human merit or effort (Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8-9).

Words-group analysis:

• "the Spirit and the bride say, Come": This pairing signifies the ultimate source of the invitation. The Holy Spirit is the divine initiator and power behind the call. The "bride," the Church, acts as the earthly instrument, prompted by the Spirit, articulating humanity's collective longing for Christ and sharing the gospel invitation with the world. It illustrates the divine-human partnership in God's redemptive plan. The 'Come' here refers both to an invitation from the divine and human spheres to humanity for salvation, and simultaneously a longing from the divine and human spheres for Christ's speedy return.
• "let him that heareth say, Come": This phrase highlights the chain reaction of discipleship and evangelism. Hearing the call implies receiving and accepting it, and that acceptance creates an imperative to echo the invitation to others. It is not enough to simply hear; true hearing involves participation in God's mission.
• "him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.": This tripartite declaration emphasizes the conditions and provision for salvation. It identifies the seeker as one with genuine spiritual need ("athirst"). It underscores the requirement of personal decision ("whosoever will"). Finally, it emphasizes the free and unmerited nature of the gift, highlighting God's boundless grace that offers spiritual life without cost.

Revelation 22 17 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates the very heart of the Bible's redemptive narrative – God's relentless pursuit of humanity and His gracious provision. It's an eschatological invitation, situated at the precipice of eternity, calling people to decide their eternal destiny. The repetition of "Come" creates an undeniable urgency, resonating through the ages as a continual call to salvation and an expectant longing for the full manifestation of God's Kingdom. It reaffirms God's universal desire for all people to come to Him, offering a clear path to true spiritual satisfaction and eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Revelation 22 17 Commentary

Revelation 22:17 delivers the final, earnest invitation in Scripture, weaving together divine initiative, human response, and the profound generosity of God. It functions as an ultimate summary of the gospel's message: access to eternal life is a free gift available to all who spiritually hunger and willingly accept. The collaborative call from "the Spirit and the bride" demonstrates the essential unity between divine grace and the Church's mission. The Spirit prompts, guides, and empowers the Church's evangelistic outreach and its fervent plea for Christ's return ("Come, Lord Jesus"). The Church, in turn, reflects this divine longing by actively extending the invitation to others. Those who hear this message are not merely passive recipients but are enlisted to amplify the call, becoming co-laborers in the kingdom. The target of this invitation is intentionally broad: "him that is athirst" acknowledges a universal human need, while "whosoever will" eliminates any restrictions based on merit, background, or ability, making the divine provision truly accessible to anyone with a willing heart. The promise of "water of life freely" seals the message of grace, emphasizing that the most precious gift of eternal life is granted without human performance, highlighting the unearned nature of salvation through Christ. This verse serves as a powerful concluding call to conversion, a fervent prayer for Christ's return, and a timeless mandate for believers to participate in spreading the good news.