Galatians 4:26
What does Galatians 4:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Galatians 4:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Galatians 4:26 means
In contrast to present Jerusalem, Paul speaks of “the Jerusalem that is above,” which is free and is “our mother.” This heavenly city represents God’s promised order realized in Christ. To call her our mother signifies that believers derive their identity and life from above, not from earthly systems. Freedom is her hallmark, because membership comes by promise and grace, not by Law-keeping. This verse lifts the Galatians’ eyes from human centers of religion to God’s ultimate community, to which they already belong through Christ. Their allegiance and nurture flow from this source, shaping a new family defined by liberty and spiritual birth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the Jerusalem on high is free, which is our mother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.
Context
After linking Hagar to bondage (v. 25), verse 26 unveils the positive alternative: the free, heavenly Jerusalem. This sets the platform for verse 27’s quotation that foretells the surprising fruitfulness of the desolate woman, strengthening the claim that the promise produces many children. The flow moves from negative identification to positive identity, preparing Paul to declare in verse 28 that the Galatians are children of promise like Isaac.
v.25Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.
v.26This passage
v.27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: For more are the children of the desolate than of her that hath the husband.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hosea 4:5
And thou shalt stumble in the day, and the prophet also shall stumble with thee in the night; and I will destroy thy mother.
- Isaiah 62:1
For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burneth.
- Hosea 2:5
for their mother hath played the harlot; she that conceived them hath done shamefully; for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
- Isaiah 65:18
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
- Romans 6:18
and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.
- Hebrews 12:22
but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
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