Revelation 21:15

“And he that talked with me, etc.] One of the seven angels, (<662109>Revelation 21:9) for not a man is the measurer of this city, as in (<264003>Ezekiel 40:3) nor John, as of the temple, (<661101>Revelation 11:1) but an angel, the same that showed to John this great sight: had a golden reed; not a common measuring reed, or rod, as in (<264004>Ezekiel 40:4 <661101>Revelation 11:1) but one covered with gold, denoting the present glorious state of the church, being without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: to measure the city; the new Jerusalem, its length and breadth; (see <380201> Zechariah 2:1,2) to show how exactly conformable this church state will be to the rule of God's word, even to…”

“had a golden reed--so Coptic. But A, B, Vulgate, and Syriac read, "had (as) a measure, a golden reed." In Rev 11:2 the non-measuring of the outer courts of the temple implied its being given up to secular and heathen desecration. So here, on the contrary, the city being measured implies the entire consecration of every part, all things being brought up to the most exact standard of God's holy requirements, and also God's accurate guardianship henceforth of even the most minute parts of His holy city from all evil.”

“And he that talked with me - The angel, Revelation 21:9. Had a golden reed to measure the city - See the notes on Revelation 11:1. The reed, or measuring rod, here, is of gold, because all about the city is of the most rich and costly materials. The rod is thus suited to the personage who uses it, and to the occasion. Compare a similar description in Ezekiel 40:3-5; Ezekiel 43:16. The object of this measuring is to show that the city has proper architectural proportions. And the gates thereof, ... - To measure every part of the city, and to ascertain its exact dimensions. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And he measured the city, twelve thousand furlongs - Not in circumference, but on each of the four sides. Jerusalem was thirtythree furlongs in circumference; Alexandria thirty in length, ten in breadth. Nineveh is reported to have been four hundred furlongs round; Babylon four hundred and eighty. But what inconsiderable villages were all these compared to the new Jerusalem! By this measure is understood the greatness of the city, with the exact order and just proportion of every part of it; to show, figuratively, that this city was prepared for a great number of inhabitants, how small soever the number of real Christians may sometimes appear to be; and that everything relating to the…”

“21:15-17 measure the city: Measuring defines accepted boundaries (contrast the unmeasured section of the Temple, 11:2; see also Ezek 40:3–42:20).”

“a golden: Rev 11:1, Rev 11:2; Exo 40:3-5; Eze 41:1-5; Zac 2:1 Revelation 21:16”