Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:3

What does Revelation 21:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:3 means

A majestic voice from the throne explains the vision: God’s dwelling—His tabernacle—is now with humanity. He will dwell with them, they will be His peoples, and He will be their God. This fulfills long-standing covenant promises and reveals God’s ultimate goal: to be present with a redeemed, multi-ethnic people forever. No veil or temple stands between. The relationship is mutual and personal—God with them; they belong to Him. The plural “peoples” hints that the nations are gathered into one worshiping community. The emphasis is not on a place we reach, but on God coming to be our immediate, abiding home.

Revelation 21:3 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 I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and betheir God:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and betheir God:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there came to my ears a great voice out of the high seat, saying, See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will make his living-place with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I heard a great voice out of the heaven, saying, `Lo, the tabernacle of God <FI>is<Fi> with men, and He will tabernacle with them, and they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them--their God,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: Behold the tabernacle of God with men: and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people: and God himself with them shall be their God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I heard a loud voice out of the heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle ofGod [is] with men, and he shall tabernacle with them, and they shall be his people, andGod himself shall be with them, theirGod.

Context

This declaration interprets the descent of the city: its essence is God’s own presence among His people. It frames the next verse’s promises about the end of sorrow as direct effects of God dwelling with humanity. The throne voice provides divine assurance and clarity, anchoring the city’s splendor in covenant reality. What follows in verse 4 will spell out the personal comfort this presence brings, while verses 5–8 confirm the certainty and terms of this new order.

v.2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

v.3This passage

v.4and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Chronicles 6:18

    But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have builded!

  • Zechariah 8:8

    and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.

  • John 14:23

    Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • Hebrews 8:10

    For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:

  • Jeremiah 31:33

    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith Jehovah: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:3

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

  • What Revelation 21:3 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:3 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:3 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:3 teaches us about eternal worship

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