And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Read it in contextThe holy city shown
Start reading at Revelation 21:9 (Revelation 21:9 to Revelation 21:21).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people.
21:9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
21:10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
21:11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
21:12And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
21:13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
21:14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
21:15And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
21:16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
21:17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
21:18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
21:19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
21:20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21:21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 21:1–22:21): John sees the new creation and New Jerusalem and hears angelic explanations. The closing words address the prophecy's hearers and the churches. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The holy city shown. Read Revelation 21:9 through Revelation 21:21 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The holy city shown (Revelation 21:9 to Revelation 21:21).
Start reading at Revelation 21:9. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 21
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion.
Connection to the wholeThe angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people.
Connection to the wholeThe absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.