Revelation 3:19
What does Revelation 3:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:19 means
Christ explains the heart behind his hard words: love. Those he loves, he reproves and disciplines. His correction is not rejection but fatherly training aimed at life. Therefore they must be zealous—not half-hearted—and repent. Urgency and warmth combine here: zeal is the fitting response to love that will not leave them in their delusion. Repentance involves a decisive turn from self-sufficiency to dependence on Christ’s provision. The path from lukewarmness to restored fellowship runs through the furnace of loving discipline. The Lord’s aim is not to shame but to purify, awaken, and renew, so that his people share in his holiness and joy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949To all those who are dear to me, I give sharp words and punishment: then with all your heart have sorrow for your evil ways.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`As many as I love, I do convict and chasten; be zealous, then, and reform;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do penance.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I rebuke and discipline as many as I love; be zealous therefore and repent.
Context
This assurance follows the counsel of verse 18 and reframes the rebuke of verses 15–17 as an act of love. It sets the tone for verse 20’s intimate invitation to renewed communion. The flow moves from diagnosis to prescription, then to the motive and the call to decisive response. What comes next shows what repentance leads to: personal fellowship with the Lord who stands ready to enter.
v.18I 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.
v.19This passage
v.20Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 12:5
and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;
- Psalms 94:10
He that chastiseth the nations, shall not he correct, Evenhe that teacheth man knowledge?
- Proverbs 3:11
My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:
- Jeremiah 2:30
In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion.
- 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.
- 2 Samuel 7:14
I will be his father, and he shall be my son: if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
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