Devine Scripture

Revelation 2:21

What does Revelation 2:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 2:21 means

Jesus reveals that He has already given this woman time to repent, but she refuses. His patience is real, offering space for change, yet persistent hard-heartedness increases guilt. Mercy spurned leads to judgment. This verse displays both Christ’s longsuffering and His moral seriousness. He does not rush to punish; He calls to repentance. But He will not indefinitely tolerate teaching that harms His people. The refusal to repent is willful, not ignorant. The next steps He announces flow from this settled defiance, making His judgments both just and a warning to all who hear.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I gave her time for a change of heart, but she has no mind to give up her unclean ways.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I did give to her a time that she might reform from her whoredom, and she did not reform;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I gave her a time that she might do penance: and she will not repent of her fornication.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I gave her time that she should repent, and she will not repent of her fornication.

Context

This verse follows the exposure of Jezebel’s influence (verse 20) by highlighting Christ’s prior patience. It sets the stage for the judgments in verse 22 and the public, exemplary nature of that judgment in verse 23. The structure shows that divine discipline follows rejected mercy. The narrative will soon widen to address her partners in sin and the broader church, revealing the purpose behind the severity: that all churches might know Christ’s searching, just reign.

v.20But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

v.21This passage

v.22Behold, I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of her works.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 3:20

    that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:

  • Revelation 16:11

    and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.

  • Revelation 16:9

    And men were scorched with great heat: and they blasphemed the name of God who hath the power over these plagues; and they repented not to give him glory.

  • Revelation 9:20

    And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk:

  • 2 Peter 3:15

    And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;

  • Romans 2:4

    Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

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