Revelation 21:27
What does Revelation 21:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:27 means
Entry into the city is absolutely holy: nothing unclean or false, and no abomination, will enter. Only those written in the Lamb’s book of life belong. The standard is not human merit but divine election and redemption centered on the Lamb—Jesus. Purity is permanent; deceit and idolatry can never again invade God’s dwelling. This final word secures the city’s joy and peace forever. The redeemed, cleansed by the Lamb, live in truth and holiness; all that would corrupt or harm is forever outside.
Revelation 21:27 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 there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And nothing unclean may come into it, or anyone whose works are cursed or false; but only those whose names are in the Lamb's book of life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there may not at all enter into it any thing defiling and doing abomination, and a lie, but--those written in the scroll of the life of the Lamb.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752There shall not enter into it any thing defiled or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie: but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And nothing common, nor that maketh an abomination and a lie, shall at all enter into it; but those only who [are] written in the book of life of the Lamb.
Context
This closing verse completes the chapter by defining who inhabits the radiant city just described. It reaches back to verses 7–8 (inheritance for overcomers; judgment for the wicked) and forward to the continued vision of life flowing from God and the Lamb in the next chapter. The balance of glory, welcome, and holiness is firm: God’s new creation is open to all He has redeemed and sealed against all that would defile.
v.26and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it:
v.27This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 22:14
Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.
- Revelation 20:15
And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
- Zechariah 14:21
Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holy unto Jehovah of hosts; and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and boil therein: and in that day there shall be no more a Canaanite in the house of Jehovah of hosts.
- Revelation 3:5
He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
- Matthew 13:41
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that cause stumbling, and them that do iniquity,
- Revelation 17:4
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:27
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:27 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:27 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:27 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:27 teaches us about eternal worship
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