Revelation 3:20
What does Revelation 3:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:20 means
Jesus stands at the door and knocks, calling for a personal response. If anyone hears his voice and opens, he will enter and share a meal—table fellowship signaling acceptance, intimacy, and joy. Though addressed to the church, the invitation reaches individuals: restoration begins heart by heart. The Lord has not abandoned them; he seeks renewed communion despite their failures. Opening the door implies repentance and faith expressed in welcome. He promises himself, not just benefits. Supper with Christ points to present fellowship and anticipates future banquet joy. The verse reveals that at the center of correction is a Person seeking relationship, and at the end of repentance is shared life with him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See, I am waiting at the door and giving the sign; if my voice comes to any man's ears and he makes the door open, I will come in to him, and will take food with him and he with me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862lo, I have stood at the door, and I knock; if any one may hear my voice, and may open the door, I will come in unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him: and he with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Behold, I stand at the door and am knocking; if any one hear my voice and open the door, I will come in unto him and sup with him, and he with me.
Context
After love’s call to zealous repentance (verse 19), this verse offers a gracious, immediate promise of fellowship for any who respond. It turns the message from corporate diagnosis to individual invitation, preparing for the climactic promise to the overcomer in verse 21. The sequence shows that restored communion with Christ is both the means and the motive for persevering faithfulness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 17:8
and will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
- Revelation 19:9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.
- Song of Solomon 5:2
I was asleep, but my heart waked: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.
- John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
- Luke 12:36
and be ye yourselves like unto men looking for their lord, when he shall return from the marriage feast; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may straightway open unto him.
- Matthew 24:33
even so ye also, when ye see all these things, know ye that he is nigh, even at the doors.
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