Revelation of John 21:23
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
in it--so Vulgate. But A, B, and ANDREAS read, "(shine) on it," or literally, "for her." the light--Greek, "the lamp" (Isa 60:19-20). The direct light of God and the Lamb shall make the saints independent of God's creatures, the sun and moon, for light.
Open source ↗Hitherto the prophecy of this book has presented to us a very remarkable mixture of light and shade, prosperity and adversity, mercy and judgment, in the conduct of divine Providence towards the church in the world: now, at the close of all, the day breaks, and the shadows flee away; a new world now appears, the former having passed away. Some are willing to understand all that is said in these last two chapters of the state of the church even here on earth, in the glory of the latter days; but others, more probably, take it as a representation of the perfect and triumphant state of the church in heaven. Let but the faithful saints and servants of God wait awhile, and they shall not only see, but enjoy, the perfect holiness and happiness of that world. In this chapter you have, I. An introduction to the vision of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-9). II. The vision itself (Rev 21:10, etc.)
Open source ↗21:23 The vitality, energy, and life of the city are not in institutions or physical sources of power and light, but in the glory of God and the Lamb. The sun and moon were features of the first creation (Gen 1:14-19; see Isa 60:19-20). • the Lamb is its light: Jesus is the light of the world (see John 8:12; 9:5; 12:35-36).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
There will be no more night in the city, and they will have no need for the light of a lamp or of the sun. For the Lord God will shine on them, and they will reign forever and ever.
The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.
shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.
The moon will be confounded and the sun will be ashamed; for the LORD of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before His elders with great glory.
a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
After this I saw another angel descending from heaven with great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his glory.
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.
so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.
In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth.