Devine Scripture

Revelation 22:17

What does Revelation 22:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 22:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 22:17 means

Here is a double “Come.” The Spirit and the bride—the church—cry out for Jesus to come, expressing the longing of God’s people for His appearing. Then the call turns outward: whoever hears should join the prayer, and whoever is thirsty should come to take the water of life freely. The gift is without price and without barrier. The same water that flows from the throne is offered now to all who will receive it. Revelation closes not with a closed circle but with an open invitation: grace for the willing, satisfaction for the thirsty, and a chorus of desire for the Lord’s return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him who gives ear, say, Come. And let him who is in need come; and let everyone desiring it take of the water of life freely.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come; and he who is hearing--let him say, Come; and he who is thirsting--let him come; and he who is willing--let him take the water of life freely.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come; he that will, let him take [the] water of life freely.

Context

After Jesus’ self-identification and purpose for the churches, the narrative widens into prayer and evangelistic invitation. The verse bridges the hope of Christ’s coming with the free offer of life in the present. Next come the solemn warnings in verses 18–19 against altering the prophecy, safeguarding the integrity of the message that extends this invitation. The chapter then concludes with Jesus’ final promise and the church’s prayer.

v.16I 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.

v.17This passage

v.18I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto them, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:

Cross references

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

  • John 4:29

    Come, see a man, who told me all things that ever I did: can this be the Christ?

  • John 1:39

    He saith unto them, Come, and ye shall see. They came therefore and saw where he abode; and they abode with him that day: it was about the tenth hour.

  • Psalms 34:8

    Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good: Blessed is the man that taketh refuge in him.

  • 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.

  • Micah 4:2

    And many nations shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem;

  • Revelation 21:9

    And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

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