Devine Scripture

Revelation 22:18

What does Revelation 22:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 22:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 22:18 means

A solemn testimony warns against adding to the words of this prophecy. To tamper with God’s revelation is to challenge His authority and mislead His people. The penalty is severe: the plagues written in this book will be added to the offender. The warning protects both the message and the hearers, ensuring that the church receives the true word uncorrupted. It reminds teachers and readers alike that Scripture is not clay for our shaping but a word to be kept. In a book where judgment falls on deception, the integrity of the prophetic word is a matter of life and death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I say to every man to whose ears have come the words of this prophet's book, If any man makes an addition to them, God will put on him the punishments which are in this book:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`For I testify to every one hearing the words of the prophecy of this scroll, if any one may add unto these, God shall add to him the plagues that have been written in this scroll,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I testify to every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any one shall add to these things,God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Context

Following the gracious invitation, the text guards the channel by which grace is offered: the written prophecy itself. Verse 18 addresses the danger of adding, and verse 19 will match it with the danger of taking away. Together they frame a high view of Revelation’s authority and the peril of distortion. Only then will the final promise and prayer be voiced in verse 20, leading to the closing benediction.

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.

v.18This passage

v.19and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 22:7

    And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book.

  • Revelation 20:15

    And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

  • Revelation 15:6

    and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed withprecious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.

  • Revelation 3:14

    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:

  • Matthew 15:6

    he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.

  • Deuteronomy 4:2

    Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.

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