Revelation 22:14
What does Revelation 22:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 22:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 22:14 means
A blessing is pronounced on those who “wash their robes,” granting them right to the tree of life and entry by the city gates. Washed robes signify cleansing and readiness—moral and spiritual fitness granted and maintained in God’s way, in contrast to defilement. Access to the tree of life means full participation in God’s eternal life; entering by the gates means welcome, legitimacy, and honor. The imagery contrasts with stolen or barred access; here, citizens come openly as those who belong. The blessing assures readers that purity is not optional; it is the pathway by which God brings His people into their promised inheritance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blessed 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessed 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949A blessing on those whose robes are washed, so that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may go in by the doors into the town.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Happy are those doing His commands that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of the life, and by the gates they may enter into the city;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed are they that wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb: that they may have a right to the tree of life and may enter in by the gates into the city.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed [are] they that wash their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life, and that they should go in by the gates into the city.
Context
After asserting Jesus’ eternal identity, the text turns to the destiny of the faithful. Verse 14’s beatitude balances the warning of recompense with a promise of access. It leads naturally to verse 15’s list of those outside, clarifying that entry is not universal but defined by cleansing and holiness. This juxtaposition urges readers to seek the blessed path and avoid the practices that exclude from the city.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
- John 10:7
Jesus therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
- John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- 1 John 3:23
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
- Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and shall come and serve them.
- Revelation 21:12
having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
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