Revelation 3:21 kjv

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 3:21 nkjv

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 3:21 niv

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3:21 esv

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3:21 nlt

Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 21 Meaning

Revelation 3:21 communicates an extraordinary promise from Christ to those who "overcome" (persevere and conquer spiritual apathy and worldly temptations): they will share in Christ's own royal authority and glorious reign. It establishes a profound correlation between the believer's victory over the world and Christ's supreme victory over sin and death, allowing them to participate in His heavenly enthronement alongside God the Father. This signifies ultimate fellowship, honor, and a shared inheritance in the divine Kingdom.

Revelation 3 21 Context

Revelation 3:21 concludes the letter to the church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22). This church was rebuked for its spiritual lukewarmness, self-sufficiency, and perceived wealth, which blinded them to their true spiritual poverty, wretchedness, blindness, and nakedness. Christ stood outside, knocking, offering counsel for true riches, spiritual sight, and righteous clothing. Verse 21 presents the ultimate invitation and incentive to repent from their complacent state and pursue spiritual zeal. The promise of sharing Christ's throne stands in stark contrast to their current lack of genuine spiritual warmth or desire. It addresses a specific cultural context where sitting on a throne implied authority, honor, and sovereignty, and was the highest possible position one could aspire to, often indicating shared governance with the highest power. The polemic is against their self-deception and materialism, urging them instead to seek the unparalleled spiritual honor offered by Christ.

Revelation 3 21 Word analysis

• To him who overcomes (τῷ νικῶντι, tō nikōnti):

  • νικῶντι is the present active participle of nikao, meaning "to conquer," "to prevail," "to be victorious."
  • This is a recurring motif in the letters to the seven churches, appearing in promises to each church.
  • It refers to active, continuous conquering of spiritual apathy, worldliness, persecution, and false doctrines.
  • Not about being sinless, but about spiritual persistence and loyalty to Christ amidst opposition.
  • Implies enduring in faith to the end, similar to what 1 John emphasizes as victory by faith.

• I will grant (δώσω, dōsō):

  • Future active indicative of didōmi, "to give," "to grant."
  • Emphasizes the active, certain, and divine initiative of Christ in bestowing this immense privilege.
  • It is a gracious gift, not an earned right.

• to sit with Me (καθίσαι μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ, kathisai met' emou):

  • καθίσαι (kathisai) is an aorist infinitive, "to sit." μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ (met' emou) means "with me."
  • Sitting alongside a ruler on a throne signifies shared authority, co-regency, high honor, and intimate fellowship.
  • It points to an active participation in Christ's royal reign, not just a passive presence.

• on My throne (ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου μου, epi tou thronou mou):

  • θρόνου (thronou) refers to a royal seat, a throne, symbolizing sovereign authority, power, and judicial rule.
  • The phrase "My throne" explicitly refers to Christ's own distinct reign as the Davidic Messiah and universal King, a reign established through His conquest.
  • It indicates an unimaginable level of shared authority with Christ himself, directly participating in His government.

• as I also overcame (ὡς κἀγὼ ἐνίκησα, hōs kagō enikēsa):

  • ὡς (hōs) means "just as," indicating a direct parallel or pattern.
  • κἀγὼ (kagō) is "and I," or "I also," stressing Christ's own precedent.
  • ἐνίκησα (enikēsa) is the aorist active indicative of nikao, indicating a completed act of conquering.
  • Christ's victory was unique, achieved through perfect obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross (Phil 2:8), and consummated in His resurrection and ascension.
  • This serves as the prototype and assurance for the believer's victory; their triumph flows from His.

• and sat down with My Father (καὶ ἐκάθισα μετὰ τοῦ Πατρός μου, kai ekathisa meta tou Patros mou):

  • ἐκάθισα (ekathisa) is the aorist active indicative of kathizō, "to sit down."
  • Refers to Christ's ascension and session at the right hand of God, a position of supreme honor, power, and co-regency over all creation (Heb 1:3, 12:2).
  • It solidifies Christ's own supreme authority, from which He extends this invitation.

• on His throne (ἐν τῷ θρόνῳ αὐτοῦ, en tō thronō autou):

  • Refers to the ultimate, divine throne of God the Father (Rev 4:2, 5:1), the source of all authority and power in the universe.
  • Emphasizes the absolute majesty and sovereignty of God, into which Christ was perfectly integrated upon His return to glory.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me on My throne": This entire phrase presents a divine covenantal promise directly from Christ. It specifies the recipient (the victor), the grantor (Christ), the nature of the gift (to sit), the companion in that seating (with Christ), and the specific location of shared authority (on Christ's throne). It is a promise of unparalleled royal co-regency and intimacy.

• "as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne": This second part provides the supreme paradigm and basis for the first promise. Christ’s own victory and subsequent session on the Father’s throne serves as the prototype for the believer's promised future. It underlines that shared authority is not arbitrary but flows from a process of conquering, mirroring Christ’s ultimate triumph. This legitimizes and ensures the astonishing promise to believers, rooting it in the very reality of Christ's achieved status.

Revelation 3 21 Bonus section

• The concept of "overcoming" in Revelation, specifically for the Laodiceans, means abandoning their lukewarmness and self-reliance, passionately pursuing spiritual riches, true sight, and righteousness that Christ offers.
• "Throne" (θρόνος, thronos) in Revelation typically represents divine authority, judgment, and sovereignty. To sit on a throne means to possess this authority. Shared seating signifies a transfer of specific authority.
• This promise points towards a future reality, potentially during the millennial reign (Rev 20:4) and ultimately in the eternal state (Rev 22:5), where redeemed humanity will exercise a unique form of rulership and administration under Christ.
• The privilege of co-reigning is conditioned on being an "overcomer." This means demonstrating perseverance in faith, standing firm against false teachings, resisting worldly temptations, and maintaining loyalty to Christ even amidst adversity, drawing strength from His accomplished victory.

Revelation 3 21 Commentary

Revelation 3:21 culminates the intense exhortation to the Laodicean church and encapsulates a foundational principle of the Christian life: suffering and perseverance precede glory. It presents a remarkable promise of eschatological participation in Christ's own royal authority, emphasizing that the believer's ultimate reward is not merely dwelling in heaven, but co-reigning with the Son of God. The phrase "My throne" implies shared participation in Christ's present, and future, messianic dominion. This co-regency is rooted in the "overcomer" motif, stressing active faithfulness and conquest over spiritual lethargy and worldly influences, rather than passive waiting. Just as Christ achieved His exaltation through obedience, suffering, and ultimate victory, so too will those who emulate His example partake in His kingly reward. This passage is a profound incentive for active, faithful living, promising the highest possible honor in the Kingdom of God, unparalleled intimacy with Christ, and participation in divine governance, an unimaginable honor given our sinful nature.