Devine Scripture

Revelation 22:1

What does Revelation 22:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 22:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 22:1 means

John is shown the source and substance of eternal life in the new creation: a river of the water of life, clear and pure, flowing right out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. Life is not self-supplied; it proceeds from God’s sovereign rule and from the Lamb’s redeeming work. The crystal brightness speaks of holiness, transparency, and unshadowed joy. The shared throne underlines the unity of God and the Lamb in the work of salvation and in the rule of the city. This river pictures unending refreshment and satisfaction, the answer to every thirst, the restoration of what was lost in Eden, and the center of worship and blessing for all who dwell there.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw a river of water of life, clear as glass, coming out of the high seat of God and of the Lamb,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, bright as crystal, going forth out of the throne of God and of the Lamb:

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he shewed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he shewed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, going out of the throne ofGod and of the Lamb.

Context

This vision continues the description of the New Jerusalem begun in the previous chapter. After showing the city’s beauty and God’s dwelling with His people, the focus now moves inside to its life-giving heart. Verse 1 sets the tone by rooting everything in God and the Lamb’s throne. The next verses expand the garden-temple imagery with the tree of life and the healing of the nations, emphasizing wholeness and abundance. Together they show paradise restored under the direct presence and reign of God.

v.1This passage

v.2in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 22:17

    And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

  • John 14:16

    And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,

  • John 4:14

    but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.

  • John 4:10

    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

  • Psalms 46:4

    There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.

  • Jeremiah 17:13

    O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters.

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