Revelation 21:20
What does Revelation 21:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:20 means
The catalog continues: sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst complete the twelve. The fullness of twelve distinct gems mirrors the completeness of God’s people and the richness of His grace. Each stone contributes unique color and luster, suggesting the varied yet unified glory of the redeemed community. The foundation’s adornment is not random luxury but a visual theology: God’s city rests on truth and redemption that are both firm and beautiful. Diversity does not weaken the foundation; it enhances the display of God’s wisdom and artistry.
Revelation 21:20 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 · 2000the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The fifth, sardonyx: the sixth, sardius: the seventh, chrysolite: the eighth, beryl: the ninth, a topaz: the tenth, a chrysoprasus: the eleventh, a jacinth: the twelfth, an amethyst.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
Context
Completing the foundation list prepares for the contrasting yet complementary images in verse 21: pearled gates and a golden, glass-like street. The momentum of lavish description will culminate in the surprising absence of a temple in verse 22, re-centering attention from materials to the personal presence of the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb as the city’s true sanctuary.
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;
v.20This passage
v.21And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 4:3
and he that sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, like an emerald to look upon.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:20
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:20 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:20 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:20 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:20 teaches us about eternal worship
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