Revelation 3:18
What does Revelation 3:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:18 means
Jesus counsels them to “buy” from him what alone can heal their poverty. Gold refined by fire—true, tested riches that endure; white garments—to cover their nakedness with purity and honor; and eye salve—to cure their blindness so they may see. The imagery answers each lack named in verse 17. Though they cannot purchase grace, the language of buying presses them to come to him, renouncing reliance on their own resources. Only Christ can supply righteousness, spiritual sight, and wealth that lasts. He invites them to a costly exchange: their pride and false security for his grace and truth. The goal is restoration of dignity, clarity, and genuine prosperity before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you are wise you will get from me gold tested by fire, so that you may have true wealth; and white robes to put on, so that your shame may not be seen; and oil for your eyes, so that you may see.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I counsel thee to buy from me gold fired by fire, that thou mayest be rich, and white garments that thou mayest be arrayed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not be manifest, and with eye-salve anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire tried, that thou mayest be made rich and mayest be clothed in white garments: and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear. And anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.
Context
This verse follows the exposure of Laodicea’s true condition (verse 17) with a gracious remedy. It anticipates verse 19’s assurance that his rebuke is motivated by love and the call to zealous repentance. The specific items—gold, white garments, eye salve—correspond to their needs and lead naturally to the relational invitation in verse 20, where restored fellowship becomes the fruit of receiving what Christ offers.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nahum 3:5
Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
- Revelation 2:9
I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
- Psalms 32:8
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee.
- Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
- John 9:6
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
- 1 Timothy 6:18
that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
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