Revelation of John 21:24
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
of them which are saved . . . in--A, B, Vulgate, Coptic, and ANDREAS read "(the nations shall walk) by means of her light": omitting "of them which are saved." Her brightness shall supply them with light. the kings of the earth--who once had regard only to their glory, having been converted, now in the new Jerusalem do bring their glory into it, to lay it down at the feet of their God and Lord. and honour--so B, Vulgate, and Syriac. But A omits the clause.
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 ↗21:24-25 The nations: God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled (Gen 12:3; see Isa 2:3). • In Revelation, the kings of the world usually refer to God’s enemies (Rev 6:15; 17:18; 18:3, 9). Now that the enemies have been destroyed (16:9, 11; 19:1-2, 19-21), the picture is of God’s glory as reflected in those people who have repented (14:6-7; cp. 11:13) and walk with God (5:9; 15:4). • The gates that are never . . . closed contrast with the ancient scene in which closed gates protected cities from enemies, particularly at night. The people enjoy peace and security in God’s supremacy (see Isa 60:11). God’s enemies have been destroyed, and fear and failure have ended (see Zech 14:7; John 11:8-10; 12:35-36).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations.
“And I, knowing their deeds and thoughts, am coming to gather all nations and tongues, and they will come and see My glory.
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.”
You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breasts of royalty; you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
so He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths because of Him. For they will see what they have not been told, and they will understand what they have not heard.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.
For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.