Keraia
Revelation 21

Revelation 21:13

The New Jerusalem · Revelation 21:9–27
Read Revelation 21

Translations

Modern
There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west.
Traditional
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Literal
On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.
Latin
…ab oriente portæ tres, et ab aquilone portæ tres, et ab austro portæ tres, et ab occasu portæ tres.

Original

Greek
English
There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west.

Notes

Revelation 21:12–14

In this vision, the twelve tribes of Israel symbolize God's redeemed people (see Revelation 7:4–8; see also Romans 9:6–7). The twelve apostles of the Lamb form the foundation for this community of God's redeemed. Through Jesus, God has fully fulfilled his promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:3).

Revelation 21:1–22:9

The final scenes of the new heaven and earth show a new community and home for God's people, created and given by God. These scenes uplift persecuted Christians. John shares his main vision (Revelation 21:1–8) and expands on it in two parts:

  1. In Revelation 21:9–27, he describes the new Jerusalem as a place of holy perfection;

  2. in Revelation 22:1–5, he portrays the new Jerusalem as the ultimate garden of Eden, which Adam and Eve could have experienced if they had not sinned.

Glossary

Abomination Beauty Book of Revelation Bride of Christ Heaven Jasper Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Land Millennium New Creation, New Creature New Jerusalem Temple Worship

Topics

Gates: Symbolical Select Readings: The New Heaven and the New Earth