Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:12

What does Revelation 21:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:12 means

A great, high wall encircles the city, symbolizing perfect security. Twelve gates, each attended by an angel, show guarded but open access. The gates bear the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel, anchoring the city in God’s ancient promises to His people. Entry into God’s eternal dwelling is through the story He authored with Israel, fulfilled in the Messiah. The angels signify God’s protective care, not hostility. The number twelve speaks of completeness—the whole people of God. The new Jerusalem honors continuity with God’s redemptive history while manifesting its consummation.

Revelation 21:12 in context

Revelation 21 — A New Heaven and a New Earth

John's final vision. The first heaven and earth pass away, and the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God himself dwells with his people; he wipes away every tear; there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are passed away. The light of the city is the glory of God; its lamp is the Lamb. The story that began in the garden of Genesis ends in the city of Revelation, and the gates are never shut.

  • New creation
  • God dwelling with man
  • End of death and sorrow
  • Eternal worship

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

having a wall great and high; having 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

having a wall great and high; having 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

She had a wall great and high, with twelve doors, and at the doors twelve angels; and names on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

having also a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve messengers, and names written thereon, which are <FI>those<Fi> of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it had a wall great and high, having twelve gates, and in the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are those of the twelve tribes of [the] sons of Israel.

Context

Following the city’s radiance, John observes its fortifications and points of entry. The presence of twelve gates and tribal names ties the vision to God’s covenant with Israel. Verse 13 will detail their geographical arrangement, and verse 14 will add the apostolic foundations, revealing the unity of Old and New Covenant people. Together these features prepare for the measuring of the city, which will stress symmetry, perfection, and God-ordered design.

v.11having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal:

v.12This passage

v.13on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 7:4

    And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel:

  • Isaiah 54:12

    And I will make thy pinnacles of rubies, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy border of precious stones.

  • Matthew 18:10

    See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.

  • Acts 26:7

    unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!

  • Nehemiah 12:27

    And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

  • Luke 16:22

    And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:12

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Revelation 21:12 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:12 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:12 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:12 teaches us about eternal worship

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