Revelation 3:22

What does Revelation 3:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 3:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 3:22 means

The final refrain repeats the call for all who have ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. With this, the messages conclude, but their relevance endures. The Spirit has spoken through Christ to real congregations with timeless needs: wakefulness, faithfulness, repentance, endurance, and hope. The closing line invites every church and believer to weigh the warnings to Sardis and Laodicea and the encouragement to Philadelphia, and to seek the promised fellowship and reign with Christ. Hearing is the doorway to overcoming; obedience to this word is how the churches live and endure under their Lord’s searching, saving gaze.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

He who has ears, let him give ear to what the Spirit says to the churches.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

He who is having an ear--let him hear what the Spirit saith to the assemblies.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.

Context

This concluding call seals the message to Laodicea (verses 14–21) and, by extension, the entire series of letters in chapters 2–3. It emphasizes that these are Spirit-given words for all churches, not merely first-century assemblies. With the chorus of warnings, counsels, and promises still sounding, the chapter ends by directing readers to listen and respond before the visions of heaven and judgment unfold in the chapters that follow.

v.21He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

v.22This passage

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 2:7

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

  • Revelation 3:6

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

  • Revelation 2:11

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  • Revelation 3:13

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

  • Revelation 2:17

    He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it.

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