Revelation 21:25
What does Revelation 21:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:25 means
The city’s gates never close by day, and there is no night. This means unrestricted access, constant welcome, and perfect security. No enemy remains to threaten; no darkness remains to conceal. The unending day reflects the uninterrupted presence and favor of God. The open gates also signal a completed mission—the ingathering of God’s people is full, and all who belong may freely come and go in peace. Safety is not maintained by exclusion but by the total absence of evil and the sovereign protection of God.
Revelation 21:25 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 gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the doors of it will never be shut by day (for there is no night there):
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and its gates shall not at all be shut by day, for night shall not be there;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the gates thereof shall not be shut by day: for there shall be no night there.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And its gates shall not be shut at all by day, for night shall not be there.
Context
This detail expands on the previous picture of nations walking in the light. With no night, there is no vulnerability. The open gates anticipate the affirmation in verse 26 that the nations’ glory and honor will continually flow in. The narrative then concludes in verse 27 by stating the absolute purity of the city and the sole basis for entry, tying back to earlier contrasts between overcomers and the impenitent.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 60:20
Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
- Isaiah 60:11
Thy gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.
- Revelation 22:5
And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
- Revelation 21:23
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.
- Zechariah 14:7
but it shall be one day which is known unto Jehovah; not day, and not night; but it shall come to pass, that at evening time there shall be light.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:25
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:25 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:25 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:25 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:25 teaches us about eternal worship
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