Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:18

What does Revelation 21:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:18 means

The wall is built of jasper, and the city itself is pure gold, like pure glass. Jasper suggests brilliant, durable beauty; the city’s gold is so pure it appears transparent. Transparency symbolizes nothing hidden, no impurity to cloud God’s presence or our fellowship. The materials communicate both worth and holiness—this is no ordinary metropolis but God’s sanctuary expanded. The preciousness is not ostentation; it is theological: the city’s essence is purity, clarity, and permanence befitting the place where God and His people dwell together in unbroken light.

Revelation 21:18 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

And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the building of its wall was of jasper, and the town was clear gold, clear as glass.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the building of its wall was jasper, and the city <FI>is<Fi> pure gold--like to pure glass;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the building of the wall thereof was of jasper stone: but the city itself pure gold like to clear glass.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the building of its wall [was] jasper; and the city pure gold, like pure glass:

Context

After precise measurements, the vision turns to composition and appearance. The description of jasper and glass-like gold introduces a sequence that continues with the foundation stones in verses 19–20 and the gates and street in verse 21. This cumulative portrayal aims to overwhelm the imagination with the city’s purity and beauty, reinforcing earlier statements that its radiance comes from God’s glory within.

v.17And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

v.18This passage

v.19The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 21:19

    The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;

  • Revelation 21:11

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

  • Revelation 21:21

    And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:18

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

  • What Revelation 21:18 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:18 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:18 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:18 teaches us about eternal worship

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 21

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 21.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 21:18.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary