Revelation 3:5
What does Revelation 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 3:5 means
Jesus promises the overcomer threefold honor. First, being clothed in white garments—purity and triumph granted by him. Second, he will not blot the conqueror’s name out of the book of life, assuring acceptance and security in God’s saving register. Third, he himself will confess the believer’s name before his Father and the angels, publicly acknowledging them as his own. The emphasis is on Christ’s initiative and faithfulness to those who persevere. This counters Sardis’s reliance on reputation; what finally matters is Christ’s recognition in heaven. The promise motivates perseverance: present faithfulness will be met with future vindication, purity, and everlasting life kept by the Lord’s own word and honor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He who overcomes will be dressed in white, and I will not take his name from the book of life, and I will give witness to his name before my Father, and before his angels.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He who is overcoming--this one--shall be arrayed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the scroll of the life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before His messengers.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He that shall overcome shall thus be clothed in white garments: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. And I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He that overcomes, he shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, and will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
Context
Following the remnant’s commendation (verse 4), this promise opens wide to all who overcome, inviting the whole church to respond. It ties to the garment imagery and provides assurance after the threat of judgment in verse 3. The public confession before the Father and angels underscores the seriousness of heavenly realities compared to earthly reputation. The letter to Sardis then closes with the standard exhortation in verse 6, transitioning to the next letter addressed to Philadelphia in verse 7.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 20:15
And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
- Revelation 21:27
and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
- Revelation 3:4
But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.
- Psalms 109:13
Let his posterity be cut off; In the generation following let their name be blotted out.
- Revelation 19:8
And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Psalms 69:28
Let them be blotted out of the book of life, And not be written with the righteous.
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