Revelation 21:16
What does Revelation 21:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:16 means
The city is a perfect square, and more: its length, breadth, and height are equal—twelve thousand furlongs in each dimension. The cubic shape evokes the idea of a perfect, most-holy dwelling, now expanded to encompass the whole city. The vast measurement communicates sufficiency and inclusiveness; there is room for all God’s people. The language is symbolic of perfection and also asserts reality—this is a prepared place with definable form. The emphasis is not on calculating exact mileage but on perceiving the flawless harmony and boundless capacity of God’s eternal home.
Revelation 21:16 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 · 2000And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the city lieth foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the town is square, as wide as it is long; and he took the measure of the town with the rod, one thousand and five hundred miles: it is equally long and wide and high.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the city lieth square, and the length of it is as great as the breadth; and he did measure the city with the reed--furlongs twelve thousand; the length, and the breadth, and the height, of it are equal;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the city lieth in a four-square: and the length thereof is as great as the breadth. And he measured the city with the golden reed for twelve thousand furlongs: and the length and the height and the breadth thereof are equal.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the city lies four-square, and its length [is] as much as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed — twelve thousand stadia: the length and the breadth and height of it are equal.
Context
This central measurement crowns the theme of divine order. The cube’s perfection flows from the golden measuring and anticipates the wall’s measurement in verse 17. The numeric pattern continues the prominence of twelve, linking back to the tribes and apostles. After setting size and shape, the narrative turns to materials in verses 18–21, moving from geometry to glory—what the walls and streets are made of and how they shine.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 48:8
And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the oblation which ye shall offer, five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the portions, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
- Ezekiel 48:35
It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, Jehovah is there.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:16
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:16 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:16 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:16 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:16 teaches us about eternal worship
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