And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Read it in contextLife in the city's light
Start reading at Revelation 21:22 (Revelation 21:22 to Revelation 21:27).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life.
21:22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
21:24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
21:25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
21:26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 21:1–22:21): John sees the new creation and New Jerusalem and hears angelic explanations. The closing words address the prophecy's hearers and the churches. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Life in the city's light. Read Revelation 21:22 through Revelation 21:27 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Life in the city's light (Revelation 21:22 to Revelation 21:27).
Start reading at Revelation 21:22. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 21
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion.
Connection to the wholeThe angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people.
Connection to the wholeThe absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.