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Revelation 19-22
New English Translation

19 After these things I heard what sounded like the loud voice of a vast throng in heaven, saying,

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 because his judgments are true and just.[a]
For he has judged[b] the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality,
and has avenged the blood of his servants[c] poured out by her own hands!”[d]

3 Then[e] a second time the crowd shouted, “Hallelujah!” The smoke rises from her forever and ever.[f] 4 The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures threw themselves to the ground[g] and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne, saying: “Amen! Hallelujah!”

5 Then[h] a voice came from the throne, saying:

“Praise our God
all you his servants,
and all you who fear him,
both the small and the great!”

The Wedding Celebration of the Lamb

6 Then[i] I heard what sounded like the voice of a vast throng, like the roar of many waters and like loud crashes of thunder. They were shouting:[j]

“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God,[k] the All-Powerful,[l] reigns!
7 Let us rejoice[m] and exult
and give him glory,
because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
8 She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen”[n] (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).[o]

9 Then[p] the angel[q] said to me, “Write the following: Blessed are those who are invited to the banquet at the wedding celebration of the Lamb!” He also said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 So[r] I threw myself down[s] at his feet to worship him, but[t] he said, “Do not do this![u] I am only[v] a fellow servant[w] with you and your brothers and sisters[x] who hold to the testimony about[y] Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Son of God Goes to War

11 Then[z] I saw heaven opened and here came[aa] a white horse! The[ab] one riding it was called “Faithful” and “True,” and with justice[ac] he judges and goes to war. 12 His eyes are like a fiery[ad] flame and there are many diadem crowns[ae] on his head. He has[af] a name written[ag] that no one knows except himself. 13 He is dressed in clothing dipped[ah] in blood, and he is called[ai] the Word of God. 14 The[aj] armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen,[ak] were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations.[al] He[am] will rule[an] them with an iron rod,[ao] and he stomps the winepress[ap] of the furious[aq] wrath of God, the All-Powerful.[ar] 16 He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

17 Then[as] I saw one angel standing in[at] the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky:[au]

“Come, gather around for the great banquet[av] of God,
18 to eat[aw] your fill[ax] of the flesh of kings,
the flesh of generals,[ay]
the flesh of powerful people,
the flesh of horses and those who ride them,
and the flesh of all people, both free and slave,[az]
and small and great!”

19 Then[ba] I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. 20 Now[bb] the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf[bc]—signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.[bd] 21 The[be] others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged[bf] themselves with their flesh.

The Thousand Year Reign

20 Then[bg] I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding[bh] in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 2 He[bi] seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan—and tied him up for a thousand years. 3 The angel[bj] then[bk] threw him into the abyss and locked[bl] and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

4 Then[bm] I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge.[bn] I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These[bo] had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They[bp] came to life[bq] and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.)[br] This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part[bs] in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them,[bt] but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

Satan’s Final Defeat

7 Now[bu] when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive[bv] the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog,[bw] to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea.[bx] 9 They[by] went up[bz] on the broad plain of the earth[ca] and encircled[cb] the camp[cc] of the saints and the beloved city, but[cd] fire came down from heaven and devoured them completely.[ce] 10 And the devil who deceived[cf] them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur,[cg] where the beast and the false prophet are[ch] too, and they will be tormented there day and night forever and ever.

The Great White Throne

11 Then[ci] I saw a large[cj] white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven[ck] fled[cl] from his presence, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then[cm] books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life.[cn] So[co] the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.[cp] 13 The[cq] sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death[cr] and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. 14 Then[cs] Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. 15 If[ct] anyone’s name[cu] was not found written in the book of life, that person[cv] was thrown into the lake of fire.

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 Then[cw] I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had ceased to exist,[cx] and the sea existed no more. 2 And I saw the holy city—the new Jerusalem—descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence[cy] of God is among human beings.[cz] He[da] will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them.[db] 4 He[dc] will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”[dd]

5 And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!” Then[de] he said to me, “Write it down,[df] because these words are reliable[dg] and true.” 6 He also said to me, “It is done![dh] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water[di] free of charge[dj] from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers[dk] will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowards, unbelievers, detestable persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, and those who practice magic spells,[dl] idol worshipers,[dm] and all those who lie, their place[dn] will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.[do] That[dp] is the second death.”

The New Jerusalem Descends

9 Then[dq] one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and spoke to me,[dr] saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb!” 10 So[ds] he took me away in the Spirit[dt] to a huge, majestic mountain[du] and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 The city possesses[dv] the glory of God; its brilliance is like a precious jewel, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper.[dw] 12 It has[dx] a massive, high wall[dy] with twelve gates,[dz] with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel[ea] are written on the gates.[eb] 13 There are[ec] three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side and three gates on the west side.[ed] 14 The[ee] wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel[ef] who spoke to me had a golden measuring rod with which to measure the city and its foundation stones and wall. 16 Now[eg] the city is laid out as a square,[eh] its length and width the same. He[ei] measured the city with the measuring rod[ej] at 1,400 miles[ek] (its length and width and height are equal). 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits[el] according to human measurement, which is also the angel’s.[em] 18 The city’s[en] wall is made[eo] of jasper and the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.[ep] 19 The foundations of the city’s wall are decorated[eq] with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation is jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate,[er] the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx,[es] the sixth carnelian,[et] the seventh chrysolite,[eu] the eighth beryl,[ev] the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase,[ew] the eleventh jacinth,[ex] and the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls—each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! The[ey] main street[ez] of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 Now[fa] I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God—the All-Powerful[fb]—and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God lights it up, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations[fc] will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their grandeur[fd] into it. 25 Its gates will never be closed during the day[fe] (and[ff] there will be no night there).[fg] 26 They will bring the grandeur and the wealth[fh] of the nations[fi] into it, 27 but[fj] nothing ritually unclean[fk] will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable[fl] or practices falsehood,[fm] but only those whose names[fn] are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

22 Then[fo] the angel[fp] showed me the river of the water of life—water as clear as crystal—pouring out[fq] from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 flowing down the middle of the city’s[fr] main street.[fs] On each side[ft] of the river is the tree of life producing twelve kinds[fu] of fruit, yielding its fruit every month of the year.[fv] Its leaves are for the healing of the nations. 3 And there will no longer be any curse,[fw] and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city.[fx] His[fy] servants[fz] will worship[ga] him, 4 and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 Night will be no more, and they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.

A Final Reminder

6 Then[gb] the angel[gc] said to me, “These words are reliable[gd] and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants[ge] what must happen soon.”

7 (Look ! I am coming soon!
Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy expressed in this book.)[gf]

8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things,[gg] and when I heard and saw them,[gh] I threw myself down[gi] to worship at the feet of the angel who was showing them to me. 9 But[gj] he said to me, “Do not do this![gk] I am a fellow servant[gl] with you and with your brothers the prophets, and with those who obey[gm] the words of this book. Worship God!” 10 Then[gn] he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy contained in this book, because the time is near. 11 The evildoer must continue to do evil,[go] and the one who is morally filthy[gp] must continue to be filthy. The[gq] one who is righteous must continue to act righteously, and the one who is holy must continue to be holy.”

12 (Look ! I am coming soon,
and my reward is with me to pay[gr] each one according to what he has done!
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the first and the last,
the beginning and the end!)[gs]

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can have access[gt] to the tree of life and can enter into the city by the gates. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers[gu] and the sexually immoral, and the murderers, and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood![gv]

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star!”[gw] 17 And 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 wants it take the water of life free of charge.

18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy contained in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described[gx] in this book. 19 And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life[gy] and in the holy city that are described in this book.

20 The one who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.[gz]

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 19:2 tn Compare the similar phrase in Rev 16:7.
  2. Revelation 19:2 tn Or “has punished.” See BDAG 568 s.v. κρίνω 5.b.α, describing the OT background which involves both the vindication of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty.
  3. Revelation 19:2 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  4. Revelation 19:2 tn Grk “from her hand” (referring to her responsibility in causing the blood of God’s followers to be shed).
  5. Revelation 19:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  6. Revelation 19:3 tn Or “her smoke ascends forever and ever.”
  7. Revelation 19:4 tn Grk “creatures fell down.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  8. Revelation 19:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  9. Revelation 19:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  10. Revelation 19:6 tn Grk “like the voice of a large crowd…saying.” Because of the complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the words “They were.”
  11. Revelation 19:6 tc Several mss (א2 P 1611 2053 2344 MK lat) read “the Lord our God” (κύριος ὁ θεός ἡμῶν, kurios ho theos hēmōn). Other significant mss (A 1006 1841), however, omit the “our” (ἡμῶν). Further, certain mss (051 MA) omit “Lord” (κύριος), while others (including א*) change the order of the statement to “God our Lord” (ὁ θεός ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν). The expression “the Lord God, the All-Powerful” occurs in 6 other places in Revelation (1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22) and the pronoun “our” is never used. Scribes familiar with the expression in this book, and especially with the frequent κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ (kurios ho theos ho pantokratōr; “the Lord God, the All-Powerful”) in the OT Prophets (LXX; cf. Jer 39:19; Hos 12:6; Amos 3:13; 4:13; 5:8, 14, 15, 16, 27; 9:5, 6, 15; Nah 3:5; Zech 10:3), would naturally omit the pronoun. Its presence may have arisen due to liturgical motivations or to conform to the expression “our God” in 19:1, 5, but this seems much less likely than an aversion to using the pronoun here and only here in the Greek Bible in the fuller title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ παντοκράτωρ.
  12. Revelation 19:6 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22…κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ὁ π. Rv 19:6.”
  13. Revelation 19:7 tn This verb and the next two verbs are hortatory subjunctives (giving exhortations).
  14. Revelation 19:8 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12…16; 19:8, 14.”
  15. Revelation 19:8 sn This phrase is treated as a parenthetical explanation by the author.
  16. Revelation 19:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  17. Revelation 19:9 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  18. Revelation 19:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s announcement.
  19. Revelation 19:10 tn Grk “I fell down at his feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  20. Revelation 19:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  21. Revelation 19:10 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (hora mē) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
  22. Revelation 19:10 tn The lowliness of a slave is emphasized in the Greek text with the emphatic position of σύνδουλος (sundoulos). The use of “only” helps to bring this nuance out in English.
  23. Revelation 19:10 tn Grk “fellow slave.” See the note on the word “servants” in v. 2.
  24. Revelation 19:10 tn The Greek term “brother” literally refers to family relationships, but here it is used in a broader sense to connote familial relationships within the family of God (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 2.a).
  25. Revelation 19:10 tn The genitive ᾿Ιησοῦ (Iēsou) has been translated as an objective genitive here. A subjective genitive, also possible, would produce the meaning “who hold to what Jesus testifies.”
  26. Revelation 19:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  27. Revelation 19:11 tn The phrase “and here came” expresses the sense of καὶ ἰδού (kai idou).
  28. Revelation 19:11 tn A new sentence was started in the translation at this point and καί (kai) was not translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  29. Revelation 19:11 tn Or “in righteousness,” but since the context here involves the punishment of the wicked and the vindication of the saints, “justice” was preferred.
  30. Revelation 19:12 tn The genitive noun πυρός (puros) has been translated as an attributive genitive (see also Rev 1:14).
  31. Revelation 19:12 tn For the translation of διάδημα (diadēma) as “diadem crown” see L&N 6.196.sn Diadem crowns were a type of crown used as a symbol of the highest ruling authority in a given area, and thus often associated with kingship.
  32. Revelation 19:12 tn Grk “head, having.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  33. Revelation 19:12 tn Although many translations supply a prepositional phrase to specify what the name was written on (“upon Him,” NASB; “on him,” NIV), there is no location for the name specified in the Greek text.
  34. Revelation 19:13 tc It appears that “dipped” (βεβαμμένον, bebammenon), supported by several majuscules and other witnesses (A 051 M), is the original reading. Due to the lack of the preposition “in” (ἐν, en) after the verb (βεβαμμένον αἵματι, bebammenon haimati), and also probably because of literary allusions to Isa 63:3, several mss and versions seem to have changed the text to “sprinkled” (either ῥεραντισμένον [rherantismenon] in P 2329 al; ἐρραντισμένον [errantismenon] in 1006 1841; ἐρραμμένον [errammenon] in 2053 2062; or ῥεραμμένον [rherammenon] in 1611; or in one case περιρεραμμένον [perirerammenon] in א[2]). The reading most likely to give rise to the others is “dipped.”tn Or perhaps “soaked.”
  35. Revelation 19:13 tn Grk “the name of him is called.”
  36. Revelation 19:14 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  37. Revelation 19:14 tn On the term translated “fine linen,” BDAG 185 s.v. βύσσινος states, “made of fine linen, subst. τὸ β. fine linen, linen garment…Rv 18:12, 16; 19:8, 14.”
  38. Revelation 19:15 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  39. Revelation 19:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  40. Revelation 19:15 tn Grk “will shepherd.”
  41. Revelation 19:15 tn Or “scepter.” The Greek term ῥάβδος (rhabdos) can mean either “rod” or “scepter.” sn A quotation from Ps 2:9 (see also Rev 2:27; 12:5).
  42. Revelation 19:15 sn He stomps the winepress. See Isa 63:3, where Messiah does this alone (usually several individuals would join in the process), and Rev 14:20.
  43. Revelation 19:15 tn The genitive θυμοῦ (thumou) has been translated as an attributed genitive. Following BDAG 461 s.v. θυμός 2, the combination of the genitives of θυμός (thumos) and ὀργή (orgē) in Rev 16:19 and 19:15 are taken to be a strengthening of the thought as in the OT and Qumran literature (Exod 32:12; Jer 32:37; Lam 2:3; CD 10:9).
  44. Revelation 19:15 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
  45. Revelation 19:17 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  46. Revelation 19:17 tn The precise significance of ἐν (en) here is difficult to determine.
  47. Revelation 19:17 tn On μεσουρανήματι (mesouranēmati) here see L&N 1.10: “high in the sky, midpoint in the sky, directly overhead, straight above in the sky.” The birds mentioned here are carrion birds like vultures, circling high overhead, and now being summoned to feast on the corpses.
  48. Revelation 19:17 tn This is the same Greek word (δεῖπνον, deipnon) used in 19:9.
  49. Revelation 19:18 tn The ἵνα (hina) clause, insofar as it is related to the first imperative, has the force of an imperative.
  50. Revelation 19:18 tn The idea of eating “your fill” is evident in the context with the use of χορτάζω (chortazō) in v. 21.
  51. Revelation 19:18 tn Grk “chiliarchs”; normally a chiliarch was a military officer commanding a thousand soldiers, but here probably used of higher-ranking commanders like generals (see L&N 55.15; cf. Rev 6:15).
  52. Revelation 19:18 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  53. Revelation 19:19 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  54. Revelation 19:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the introduction of an unexpected development in the account: The opposing armies do not come together in battle; rather the leader of one side is captured.
  55. Revelation 19:20 tn For this meaning see BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνώπιον 4.b, “by the authority of, on behalf of Rv 13:12, 14; 19:20.”
  56. Revelation 19:20 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  57. Revelation 19:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  58. Revelation 19:21 tn On the translation of ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan) BDAG 1087 s.v. χορτάζω 1.a states, “of animals, pass. in act. sense πάντα τὰ ὄρνεα ἐχορτάσθησαν ἐκ τῶν σαρκῶν αὐτῶν all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh Rv 19:21 (cp. TestJud. 21:8).”
  59. Revelation 20:1 tn Grk “And.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  60. Revelation 20:1 tn The two clauses “having/holding the key of the abyss” and “a huge chain in his hand” can be construed in two ways: (1) both are controlled by the participle ἔχοντα (echonta) and both are modified by the phrase “in his hand”—“having in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain.” (2) The participle ἔχοντα refers only to the key, and the phrase “in his hand” refers only to the chain—“having the key of the abyss and holding a huge chain in his hand.” Because of the stylistic tendency in Rev to use the verb ἔχω (echō) to mean “hold (something)” and the phrase “in his hand” forming a “bracket” along with the verb ἔχω around both the phrases in question, the first option is preferred.
  61. Revelation 20:2 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  62. Revelation 20:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel introduced in v. 1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  63. Revelation 20:3 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  64. Revelation 20:3 tn Or “and shut.” While the lexical force of the term is closer to “shut,” it is acceptable to render the verb ἔκλεισεν (ekleisen) as “locked” here in view of the mention of the key in the previous verse.
  65. Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  66. Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “I saw thrones, and those seated on them, and judgment was given to them.” BDAG 567 s.v. κρίμα 3 says, “judging, judgment, the κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς authority to judge was given to them Rv 20:4.”
  67. Revelation 20:4 tn Grk “God, and who.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation by supplying the pronoun “these” as subject.
  68. Revelation 20:4 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  69. Revelation 20:4 tn On the use of the aorist ἔζησαν (ezēsan) BDAG 425 s.v. ζάω 1.a.β says, “of dead persons who return to life become alive again: of humans in general (3 Km 17:23) Mt 9:18; Ac 9:41; 20:12; Rv 20:4, 5.”
  70. Revelation 20:5 sn This statement appears to be a parenthetical comment by the author.
  71. Revelation 20:6 tn Grk “who has a share.”
  72. Revelation 20:6 tn The shift from the singular pronoun (“the one”) to the plural (“them”) in the passage reflects the Greek text: The singular participle ὁ ἔχων (ho echōn) is followed by the plural pronoun τούτων (toutōn). In the interests of English style, this is obscured in most modern translations except the NASB.
  73. Revelation 20:7 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
  74. Revelation 20:8 tn Or “mislead.”
  75. Revelation 20:8 sn The battle with Gog and Magog is described in the OT in Ezek 38:1-39:20.
  76. Revelation 20:8 tn Grk “of whom the number of them [is] like the sand of the sea” (an allusion to Isa 10:22).
  77. Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  78. Revelation 20:9 tn The shift here to past tense reflects the Greek text.
  79. Revelation 20:9 tn On the phrase “broad plain of the earth” BDAG 823 s.v. πλάτος states, “τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς Rv 20:9 comes fr. the OT (Da 12:2 LXX. Cp. Hab 1:6; Sir 1:3), but the sense is not clear: breadth = the broad plain of the earth is perh. meant to provide room for the countless enemies of God vs. 8, but the ‘going up’ is better suited to Satan (vs. 7) who has recently been freed, and who comes up again fr. the abyss (vs. 3).” The referent here thus appears to be a plain large enough to accommodate the numberless hoards that have drawn up for battle against the Lord Christ and his saints.
  80. Revelation 20:9 tn Or “surrounded.”
  81. Revelation 20:9 tn On the term παρεμβολή (parembolē) BDAG 775 s.v. states, “Mostly used as a military t.t.…so always in our lit.…1. a (fortified) camp…ἡ παρεμβολὴ τῶν ἁγίων Rv 20:9 is also to be understood fr. the OT use of the word.”
  82. Revelation 20:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  83. Revelation 20:9 tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesthiō) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”
  84. Revelation 20:10 tn Or “misled.”
  85. Revelation 20:10 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  86. Revelation 20:10 tn The verb in this clause is elided. In keeping with the previous past tenses some translations supply a past tense verb here (“were”), but in view of the future tense that follows (“they will be tormented”), a present tense verb was used to provide a transition from the previous past tense to the future tense that follows.
  87. Revelation 20:11 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  88. Revelation 20:11 tn Traditionally, “great,” but μέγας (megas) here refers to size rather than importance.
  89. Revelation 20:11 tn Or “and the sky.” The same Greek word means both “heaven” and “sky,” and context usually determines which is meant. In this apocalyptic scene, however, it is difficult to be sure what referent to assign the term.
  90. Revelation 20:11 tn Or “vanished.”sn The phrase the earth and the heaven fled from his presence can be understood (1) as visual imagery representing the fear of corruptible matter in the presence of God, but (2) it can also be understood more literally as the dissolution of the universe as we know it in preparation for the appearance of the new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1).
  91. Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  92. Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “another book was opened, which is of life.”
  93. Revelation 20:12 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the books being opened.
  94. Revelation 20:12 tn Grk “from the things written in the books according to their works.”
  95. Revelation 20:13 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  96. Revelation 20:13 sn Here Death is personified (cf. 1 Cor 15:55).
  97. Revelation 20:14 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  98. Revelation 20:15 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  99. Revelation 20:15 tn The word “name” is not in the Greek text, but is implied.
  100. Revelation 20:15 tn Grk “he”; the pronoun has been intensified by translating as “that person.”
  101. Revelation 21:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  102. Revelation 21:1 tn For the translation of ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai; here ἀπῆλθαν [apēlthan]) L&N 13.93 has “to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’”
  103. Revelation 21:3 tn Or “dwelling place”; traditionally, “tabernacle”; literally “tent.”
  104. Revelation 21:3 tn Or “people”; Grk “men” (ἀνθρώπων, anthrōpōn), a generic use of the term. In the translation “human beings” was used here because “people” occurs later in the verse and translates a different Greek word (λαοί, laoi).
  105. Revelation 21:3 tn Grk “men, and he.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  106. Revelation 21:3 tc ‡ Most mss (א MK) do not add the words “[as] their God” (αὐτῶν θεός, autōn theos) after “he will be with them.” The mss with these words include A 2030 2050 2329 al. The Andreas group (MA) also has the words, but in a different arrangement with the preceding (ἔσται μετ᾿ αὐτῶν θεὸς αὐτῶν, estai met’ autōn theos autōn). Not only do the words float, but scribes may have been motivated to make a connection here more directly with Isa 7:14; 8:8; Jer 24:7; 31:33; Zech 8:8. In light of sufficient external evidence as well as the possibility that the longer reading is theologically motivated, the shorter reading is preferred. NA28 places the words in brackets, indicating doubts as to their authenticity.
  107. Revelation 21:4 tn Grk “God, and he.” Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation. Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
  108. Revelation 21:4 tn For the translation of ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai; here ἀπῆλθαν [apēlthan]) L&N 13.93 has “to go out of existence—‘to cease to exist, to pass away, to cease.’”
  109. Revelation 21:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  110. Revelation 21:5 tn The words “it down” are not in the Greek text, but are implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  111. Revelation 21:5 tn Grk “faithful.”
  112. Revelation 21:6 tn Or “It has happened.”
  113. Revelation 21:6 tn The word “water” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  114. Revelation 21:6 tn Or “as a free gift” (see L&N 57.85).
  115. Revelation 21:7 tn Or “who is victorious”; traditionally, “who overcomes.”
  116. Revelation 21:8 tn On the term φαρμακεία (pharmakeia, “magic spells”) see L&N 53.100: “the use of magic, often involving drugs and the casting of spells upon people—‘to practice magic, to cast spells upon, to engage in sorcery, magic, sorcery.’ φαρμακεία: ἐν τῇ φαρμακείᾳ σου ἐπλανήθησαν πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ‘with your magic spells you deceived all the peoples (of the world)’ Re 18:23.”
  117. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “idolaters.”
  118. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “their share.”
  119. Revelation 21:8 tn Traditionally, “brimstone.”
  120. Revelation 21:8 tn Grk “sulfur, which is.” The relative pronoun has been translated as “that” to indicate its connection to the previous clause. The nearest logical antecedent is “the lake [that burns with fire and sulfur],” although “lake” (λίμνη, limnē) is feminine gender, while the pronoun “which” (ὅ, ho) is neuter gender. This means that (1) the proper antecedent could be “their place” (Grk “their share,”) agreeing with the relative pronoun in number and gender, or (2) the neuter pronoun still has as its antecedent the feminine noun “lake,” since agreement in gender between pronoun and antecedent was not always maintained, with an explanatory phrase occurring with a neuter pronoun regardless of the case of the antecedent. In favor of the latter explanation is Rev 20:14, where the phrase “the lake of fire” is in apposition to the phrase “the second death.”
  121. Revelation 21:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  122. Revelation 21:9 tn Grk “with me.” The translation “with me” implies that John was engaged in a dialogue with the one speaking to him (e.g., Jesus or an angel) when in reality it was a one-sided conversation, with John doing all the listening. For this reason, μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ (met’ emou, “with me”) was translated as “to me.” See also v. 15.
  123. Revelation 21:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of the angel’s invitation.
  124. Revelation 21:10 tn Or “in the spirit.” “Spirit” could refer either to the Holy Spirit or the human spirit, but in either case John was in “a state of spiritual exaltation best described as a trance” (R. H. Mounce, Revelation [NICNT], 75).
  125. Revelation 21:10 tn Grk “to a mountain great and high.”
  126. Revelation 21:11 tn Grk “from God, having the glory of God.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation by supplying the words “the city” to refer back to the previous clause and translating the participle (“having”) as a finite verb.
  127. Revelation 21:11 tn On the term ἰάσπιδι (iaspidi) BDAG 465 s.v. ἴασπις states, “jasper, a precious stone found in various colors, mostly reddish, somet. green…brown, blue, yellow, and white. In antiquity the name was not limited to the variety of quartz now called jasper, but could designate any opaque precious stone. Rv 21:18f. W. λίθος 4:3 (TestSol C 11:8). λίθος ἴασπις κρυσταλλίζων a stone of crystal-clear jasper 21:11 (cp. Is 54:12); perh. the opal is meant here; acc. to some, the diamond.”
  128. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “jasper, having.” Here a new sentence was started in the translation.
  129. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “a (city) wall great and high.”
  130. Revelation 21:12 tn On this term BDAG 897 s.v. πυλών 1 states, “gate, esp. of the large, impressive gateways at the entrance of temples and palaces…of the entrances of the heavenly Jerusalem…οἱ πυλῶνες αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ κλεισθῶσιν its entrances shall never be shut Rv 21:25; cp. vss. 12ab, 13abcd, 15, 21ab; 22:14.”
  131. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “of the sons of Israel.” The translation “nation of Israel” is given in L&N 11.58.
  132. Revelation 21:12 tn Grk “on them”; the referent (the gates) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  133. Revelation 21:13 tn The words “There are” have been supplied to make a complete English sentence. This is a continuation of the previous sentence, a lengthy and complicated one in Greek.
  134. Revelation 21:13 tn The word “side” has been supplied four times in this verse for clarity.
  135. Revelation 21:14 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  136. Revelation 21:15 tn Grk “the one”; the referent (the angel of v. 9) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  137. Revelation 21:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the somewhat parenthetical nature of the description of the city.
  138. Revelation 21:16 tn Or “the city lies square.” On κεῖμαι (keimai) in this context, BDAG 537 s.v. 2 states, “lie, of things…ἡ πόλις τετράγωνος κεῖται is laid out as a square Rv 21:16.”
  139. Revelation 21:16 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  140. Revelation 21:16 tn Grk “with the rod”; the word “measuring” is supplied from the description in v. 15.
  141. Revelation 21:16 tn Or “2,200 kilometers,” Grk “12,000 stades.” A stade was a measure of length about 607 ft (185 m).
  142. Revelation 21:17 tn Here the measurement was kept in cubits in the translation because of the possible symbolic significance of the number 144 (12 times 12). This is about 216 ft (65 m).
  143. Revelation 21:17 tn Here L&N 81.1 translate the phrase μέτρον ἀνθρώπου, ὅ ἐστιν ἀγγέλου (metron anthrōpou, ho estin angelou) “‘the unit of measurement used by a person, that is, by an angel’ Re 21:17.” It is more likely that μέτρον is an accusative of respect or reference.
  144. Revelation 21:18 tn Grk “and its wall”; the referent of the pronoun (the city) has been specified in the translation for clarity. Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  145. Revelation 21:18 tn The phrase ἡ ἐνδώμησις τοῦ τείχους (hē endōmēsis tou teichous) is difficult to translate precisely. BDAG 334 s.v. ἐνδώμησις states, “primary mng. ‘interior structure’; in our lit. prob.=construction, hence material τοῦ τείχους Rv 21:18.” The phrase could then be translated, “the foundation of the city wall was jasper” or “the material used for the wall of the city was jasper.” The latter alternative has been used in the translation because the text goes on to discuss the foundation in 21:19 (using the term θεμέλιος [themelios]), which is somewhat redundant if the foundation is mentioned here.
  146. Revelation 21:18 tn Or “transparent crystal.” See L&N 6.222, which notes the emphasis is on transparency here. The same Greek word, καθαρός (katharos), means both “pure” (referring to the gold) and “transparent” (referring to the glass).
  147. Revelation 21:19 tn The perfect participle here has been translated as an intensive (resultative) perfect.
  148. Revelation 21:19 sn Agate (also called chalcedony) is a semiprecious stone usually milky or gray in color (L&N 2.32).
  149. Revelation 21:20 sn Onyx (also called sardonyx) is a semiprecious stone that comes in various colors (L&N 2.35).
  150. Revelation 21:20 sn Carnelian is a semiprecious gemstone, usually red in color (L&N 2.36).
  151. Revelation 21:20 sn Chrysolite refers to either quartz or topaz, golden yellow in color (L&N 2.37).
  152. Revelation 21:20 sn Beryl is a semiprecious stone, usually blue-green or green in color (L&N 2.38).
  153. Revelation 21:20 sn Chrysoprase is a greenish type of quartz (L&N 2.40).
  154. Revelation 21:20 sn Jacinth is a semiprecious stone, probably blue in color (also called “hyacinth,” but that translation is not used here because of possible confusion with the flower of the same name). See L&N 2.41.
  155. Revelation 21:21 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  156. Revelation 21:21 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
  157. Revelation 21:22 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. Every verse from here to the end of this chapter begins with καί in Greek, but due to differences between Greek and contemporary English style, these have not been translated.
  158. Revelation 21:22 tn On this word BDAG 755 s.v. παντοκράτωρ states, “the Almighty, All-Powerful, Omnipotent (One) only of God…(ὁ) κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὁ π.…Rv 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7; 21:22.”
  159. Revelation 21:24 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  160. Revelation 21:24 tn Or “splendor”; Grk “glory.”
  161. Revelation 21:25 tn On the translation “during the day” see BDAG 436 s.v. ἡμέρα 1.a, “But also, as in Thu. et al., of time within which someth. occurs, ἡμέρας during the day Rv 21:25.”
  162. Revelation 21:25 tn The Greek connective γάρ (gar) most often expresses some sort of causal connection. However, in this context there is no causal force to the second phrase; γάρ simply expresses continuation or connection. Because of this it has been translated as “and.” See BDAG 189-90 s.v. 2.
  163. Revelation 21:25 tn The clause has virtually the force of a parenthetical comment.
  164. Revelation 21:26 tn Grk “honor,” but BDAG 1005 s.v. τιμή 2.b states, “An outstanding feature of the use of τ., as already shown in several passages, is its combination w. δόξα…of earthly possessions τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τῶν ἐθνῶν Rv 21:26 (τιμή concr.=an object of value: Ezk 22:25).”
  165. Revelation 21:26 tn Or “the Gentiles” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).
  166. Revelation 21:27 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  167. Revelation 21:27 tn Here BDAG 552 s.v. κοινός 2 states, “pert. to being of little value because of being common, common, ordinary, profane…b. specifically, of that which is ceremonially impure: Rv 21:27.”
  168. Revelation 21:27 tn Or “what is abhorrent”; Grk “who practices abominations.”
  169. Revelation 21:27 tn Grk “practicing abomination or falsehood.” Because of the way βδέλυγμα (bdelugma) has been translated (“does what is detestable”) it was necessary to repeat the idea from the participle ποιῶν (poiōn, “practices”) before the term “falsehood.” On this term, BDAG 1097 s.v. ψεῦδος states, “ποιεῖν ψεῦδος practice (the things that go with) falsehood Rv 21:27; 22:15.” Cf. Rev 3:9.
  170. Revelation 21:27 tn Grk “those who are written”; the word “names” is implied.
  171. Revelation 22:1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  172. Revelation 22:1 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel mentioned in 21:9, 15) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  173. Revelation 22:1 tn Grk “proceeding.” Water is more naturally thought to pour out or flow out in English idiom.
  174. Revelation 22:2 tn Grk “its”; the referent (the city, the new Jerusalem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  175. Revelation 22:2 tn The Greek word πλατεῖα (plateia) refers to a major (broad) street (L&N 1.103).
  176. Revelation 22:2 tn Grk “From here and from there.”
  177. Revelation 22:2 tn Or “twelve crops” (one for each month of the year).
  178. Revelation 22:2 tn The words “of the year” are implied.
  179. Revelation 22:3 tn Or “be anything accursed” (L&N 33.474).
  180. Revelation 22:3 tn Grk “in it”; the referent (the city, the new Jerusalem) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  181. Revelation 22:3 tn Grk “city, and his.” Although this is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek, a new sentence was started here in the translation because of the introduction of the Lamb’s followers.
  182. Revelation 22:3 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  183. Revelation 22:3 tn Or “will serve.”
  184. Revelation 22:6 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.
  185. Revelation 22:6 tn Grk “he”; the referent (the angel mentioned in 21:9, 15; 22:1) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  186. Revelation 22:6 tn Grk “faithful.”
  187. Revelation 22:6 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  188. Revelation 22:7 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator.
  189. Revelation 22:8 tn Or “I am John, the one who heard and saw these things.”
  190. Revelation 22:8 tn The pronoun “them” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.
  191. Revelation 22:8 tn Grk “I fell down and worshiped at the feet.” BDAG 815 s.v. πίπτω 1.b.α.ב. has “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion or humility, before high-ranking persons or divine beings.”
  192. Revelation 22:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present here.
  193. Revelation 22:9 tn On the elliptical expression ὅρα μή (hora mē) BDAG 720 s.v. ὁράω B.2 states: “Elliptically…ὅρα μή (sc. ποιήσῃς) watch out! don’t do that! Rv 19:10; 22:9.”
  194. Revelation 22:9 tn Grk “fellow slave.” Though σύνδουλος (sundoulos) is here translated “fellow servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
  195. Revelation 22:9 tn Grk “keep” (an idiom for obedience).
  196. Revelation 22:10 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the vision.
  197. Revelation 22:11 tn Grk “must do evil still.”
  198. Revelation 22:11 tn For this translation see L&N 88.258; the term refers to living in moral filth.
  199. Revelation 22:11 tn Grk “filthy, and the.” This is a continuation of the previous sentence in Greek, but because of the length and complexity of the construction a new sentence was started in the translation.
  200. Revelation 22:12 tn The Greek term may be translated either “pay” or “pay back” and has something of a double meaning here. However, because of the mention of “wages” (“reward,” another wordplay with two meanings) in the previous clause, the translation “pay” for ἀποδοῦναι (apodounai) was used here.
  201. Revelation 22:13 sn These lines are parenthetical, forming an aside to the narrative. The speaker here is the Lord Jesus Christ himself rather than the narrator.
  202. Revelation 22:14 tn Grk “so that there will be to them authority over the tree of life.”
  203. Revelation 22:15 tn On the term φάρμακοι (pharmakoi) see L&N 53.101.
  204. Revelation 22:15 tn Or “lying,” “deceit.”
  205. Revelation 22:16 tn On this expression BDAG 892 s.v. πρωϊνός states, “early, belonging to the morning ὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ πρ. the morning star, Venus Rv 2:28; 22:16.”
  206. Revelation 22:18 tn Grk “written.”
  207. Revelation 22:19 tc The Textus Receptus, on which the KJV rests, reads “the book” of life (ἀπὸ βίβλου, apo biblou) instead of “the tree” of life. When the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus translated the NT he had access to no Greek mss for the last six verses of Revelation. So he translated the Latin Vulgate back into Greek at this point. As a result he created seventeen textual variants which were not in any Greek mss. The most notorious of these is this reading. It is thus decidedly inauthentic, while “the tree” of life, found in the best and virtually all Greek mss, is clearly authentic. The confusion was most likely due to an intra-Latin switch: The form of the word for “tree” in Latin in this passage is ligno; the word for “book” is libro. The two-letter difference accounts for an accidental alteration in some Latin mss; that “book of life” as well as “tree of life” is a common expression in the Apocalypse probably accounts for why this was not noticed by Erasmus or the KJV translators. (This textual problem is not discussed in NA27.)
  208. Revelation 22:21 tc Most mss (א M) read “amen” (ἀμήν, amēn) after “all” (πάντων, pantōn). It is, however, not found in other significant mss (A 1006 1841). It is easier to account for its addition than its omission from the text if original. Such a conclusion is routinely added by scribes to NT books because a few of these books originally had such an ending (cf. Rom 16:27; Gal 6:18; Jude 25). A majority of Greek witnesses have the concluding ἀμήν in every NT book except Acts, James, and 3 John (and even in these books, ἀμήν is found in some witnesses). It is thus a predictable variant.
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