Revelation 3:12
What does Revelation 3:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:12 means
Jesus promises the overcomer unshakable belonging: a pillar in God’s temple, never to go out again. In God’s presence they will be a permanent, honored fixture, no longer vulnerable or displaced. He will inscribe on them the name of God, the name of God’s city—the new Jerusalem descending from heaven—and his own new name. These markings signify full ownership, identity, and security. The future city and Christ’s revealed name anchor their hope beyond present frailty. Weak believers become strong fixtures by Christ’s grace. The promise assures them that the God who opens doors now will give them an eternal place, a family name, and a home that cannot be taken away.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He who is overcoming--I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and without he may not go any more, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that doth come down out of the heaven from my God--also my new name.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God: and he shall go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that overcomes, him will I make a pillar in the temple of myGod, and he shall go no more at all out; and I will write upon him the name of myGod, and the name of the city of myGod, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven, from myGod, and my new name.
Context
This climactic promise follows the call to hold fast (verse 11). It answers weakness with permanence, hostility with belonging, and uncertainty with the stability of God’s temple and city. The triple name-writing corresponds to Christ’s authority and love displayed earlier. The section on Philadelphia then ends with the standard exhortation to hear in verse 13, before the chapter turns to the searching rebuke and gracious invitation addressed to Laodicea in verses 14–22.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 65:15
And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; and the Lord Jehovah will slay thee; and he will call his servants by another name:
- 1 John 4:4
Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
- 1 John 2:13
I write unto you, fathers, because ye know him who is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the evil one. I have written unto you, little children, because ye know the Father.
- Psalms 48:8
As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. [Selah
- Psalms 87:3
Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. [Selah
- Revelation 14:1
And I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads.
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