Revelation 21:17
What does Revelation 21:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:17 means
The wall measures a hundred and forty and four cubits, using human measurement—“that is, of an angel”—to assure readers the dimensions are trustworthy. The number 144 (12×12) echoes completeness, matching the city’s covenant theme. The wall is proportioned to the city’s grandeur—sufficient, not oppressive—signifying perfect protection without fear. The emphasis on an agreed measure bridges the human and angelic vantage points: what the angel shows is not beyond human comprehension but is communicated reliably for our faith and comfort.
Revelation 21:17 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 he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he took the measure of its wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits, after the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he measured its wall, an hundred forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, that is, of the messenger;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he measured the wall thereof an hundred forty-four cubits, the measure of a man, which is of an angel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he measured its wall, a hundred [and] forty-four cubits, [a] man's measure, that is, [the] angel's.
Context
Having measured the city’s vast cube, the angel provides the wall’s dimension as a complementary detail. With measures established, attention shifts in verse 18 to the materials that compose the city’s walls and body. The movement from size to substance allows the reader to imagine not only the form but the feel and appearance of the eternal dwelling—solid, precious, and radiant.
v.16And 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.
v.17This passage
v.18And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 3:11
(For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.)
- 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:
- Revelation 21:9
And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
- Revelation 14:3
and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.
- Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:17
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:17 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:17 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:17 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:17 teaches us about eternal worship
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