Revelation of John 22:14
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
do his commandments--so B, Syriac, Coptic, and CYPRIAN. But A, Aleph, and Vulgate read, "(Blessed are they that) wash their robes," namely, in the blood of the Lamb (compare Rev 7:14). This reading takes away the pretext for the notion of salvation by works. But even English Version reading is quite compatible with salvation by grace; for God's first and grand Gospel "commandment" is to believe on Jesus. Thus our "right" to (Greek, "privilege" or "lawful authority over") the tree of life is due not to our doings, but to what He has done for us. The right, or privilege, is founded, not on our merits, but on God's grace. through--Greek, "by the gates."
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. A further description of the heavenly state of the church (Rev 22:1-5). II. A confirmation of this and all the other visions of this book (Rev 22:6-19). III. The conclusion (Rev 22:20, Rev 22:21).
Open source ↗22:14 Blessed are those: In response to the connection between actions and ultimate results (22:12), the seventh blessing of Revelation (see also 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7) promises acceptance for those who wash their robes—those who have been purified by trusting in Christ and following him faithfully (3:5; 6:11; 7:9-10, 14; 19:13; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22). • enter through the gates of the city: See study note on Rev 21:24-25.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,
“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.
So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
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.
I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.