Devine Scripture

Revelation 3:16

What does Revelation 3:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 3:16 means

Because they are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—Jesus threatens to spit them out of his mouth. The image communicates disgust and impending rejection from close fellowship. It is a warning of severe discipline, not a final sentence announced without remedy. Their bland, self-satisfied religion is intolerable to the holy and true Witness. This sharp word is meant to shock them awake: the Lord finds their current state offensive. Yet even this threat carries mercy, as it comes before counsel and invitation. The church must understand the gravity of their condition so they will embrace the costly grace that restores usefulness and communion with Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So because you are not one thing or the other, I will have no more to do with you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

So--because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thus because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spue thee out of my mouth.

Context

This consequence follows the diagnosis of lukewarmness in verse 15. It prepares for verse 17’s disclosure of the root problem—self-deceived self-sufficiency—and for verse 18’s gracious counsel to seek true riches from Christ. The intensifying sequence underscores that Jesus’ rebuke is loving but uncompromising. Only after exposing the offense and warning of judgment does he offer the path to healing and renewed fellowship.

v.15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

v.16This passage

v.17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 14:19

    Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul loathed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of healing, and, behold, dismay!

  • Jeremiah 15:1

    Then said Jehovah unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

  • Revelation 2:5

    Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.

  • Zechariah 11:8

    And I cut off the three shepherds in one month; for my soul was weary of them, and their soul also loathed me.

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