Revelation 20:12
What does Revelation 20:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 20:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 20:12 means
All the dead, great and small, stand before the throne. Books are opened, and another book—the book of life. Judgment proceeds “according to their works” recorded in the books. The picture conveys impartiality: rank and fame do not matter here. The books represent God’s perfect record; nothing is forgotten or mistaken. Works do not purchase salvation, but they bear witness to what a person truly is. The book of life signifies God’s gracious claim on His own. Together they show a just judgment that takes full account of deeds while distinguishing those who belong to life. No one is lost in the crowd; each life is weighed in unfailing light.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I saw the dead, great and small, taking their places before the high seat; and the books were open, and another book was open, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by the things which were in the books, even by their works.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and scrolls were opened, and another scroll was opened, which is that of the life, and the dead were judged out of the things written in the scrolls--according to their works;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I saw the dead, great and small, standing in the presence of the throne. And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which was the book of life. And the dead were judged by those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is [that] of life. And the dead were judged out of the things written in the books according to their works.
Context
The court is set in verse 11; now the defendants arrive, and the evidence is produced. The dual bookkeeping—books of works and the book of life—frames the criteria for the verdicts rendered. The next verse broadens the scope to include every realm yielding its dead, stressing total inclusiveness. The flow moves from the Judge’s presence to the judged persons and the standards by which decisions are made.
v.11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
v.12This passage
v.13And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 21:27
and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
- Psalms 62:12
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth lovingkindness; For thou renderest to every man according to his work.
- Jeremiah 32:19
great in counsel, and mighty in work; whose eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings;
- Luke 10:20
Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
- Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.
- John 5:28
Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice,
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 20
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 20.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About God as Judge
God’s role as judge is a foundational truth, revealing His justice, righteousness, and ultimate authority over all creation.
Topic
Bible Verses About Hell
The Bible consistently teaches that hell is a real place of eternal conscious punishment for those who reject God.
Topic
Bible Verses About Judgment
Understanding God's judgment, both past and future, helps us live righteously and find grace in His divine plan.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After a Miscarriage
A holy ache the world rarely names — scripture for the weight you're carrying.