Revelation 22:16
What does Revelation 22:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 22:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 22:16 means
Jesus personally authenticates the message: He sent His angel to testify these things “for the churches.” Revelation is not a private code but a pastoral word to Christ’s people. He names Himself “the root and the offspring of David,” showing that He is both source and heir of the royal line—the promised Messiah. He is also “the bright, the morning star,” the herald of a new day and the sure hope before dawn. These titles affirm His kingship and His role as the light-bringer after the night of suffering. The One who is coming quickly is the promised Son of David and the radiant pledge of the world’s true morning.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give witness to you of these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I, Jesus did send my messenger to testify to you these things concerning the assemblies; I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I, Jesus, have sent my angel, to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the root and stock of David, the bright and morning star.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify these things to you in the assemblies. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright [and] morning star.
Context
After warnings and promises about entry into the city, Jesus speaks directly, stamping the book with His authority and clarifying its intended recipients. This prepares for the great invitation of verse 17, where the Spirit and the bride respond, and the thirsty are summoned to come. The flow moves from identity to invitation: because Jesus is who He is, the call goes out widely and freely.
v.15Without are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
v.16This passage
v.17And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 22:6
And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
- Romans 1:3
concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
- Revelation 3:22
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
- Matthew 1:1
The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
- Revelation 5:5
and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.
- Revelation 1:4
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits that are before his throne;
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