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Revelation 21:23

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 21:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof [is] the Lamb.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof [is] the Lamb.
Revelation 21:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof.
23And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof [is] the Lamb.
24And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it.
25And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):
26and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it:
← Revelation 21:22Revelation 21:24 →
← Full Chapter 21 Revelation Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, etc.] Which may be understood either literally of these two luminaries, which all earthly cities need; and which, though they may be in being in the new heavens, yet will not have the use with respect to this city they now have. The Jews say f478, the orb of the sun is in this world; and the gloss adds, but not in the future state, for the lights shall be renewed: and they further say f479, as here, that “in the world to come, “Israel hmjh rwal ˆykyrx ˆya, will have no need of the light of the sun, nor of the light of the moon”, neither by day nor by night,” as they say f480, the Israelites had not in the wilderness. So…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it - This imagery seems to be derived from Isaiah 9:19-20. See notes on those verses. No language could give a more striking or beautiful representation of the heavenly state than what is here employed. For the glory of God did lighten it - By the visible splendor of his glory. See the notes on Revelation 21:11. That supplied the place of the sun and the moon. And the Lamb is the light thereof - The Son of God; the Messiah. See the Revelation 5:6 note; Isaiah 60:19 note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The glory of God - Infinitely brighter than the shining of the sun. Revelation 21:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“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).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the city: Rev 21:11, Rev 22:5; Isa 24:23, Isa 60:19, Isa 60:20 for: Rev 21:11, Rev 18:1; Isa 2:10, Isa 2:19, Isa 2:21; Hab 3:3; Mat 16:27; Mar 8:38; Joh 17:24; Act 22:11 the Lamb: Luk 2:32; Joh 1:4, Joh 1:9, Joh 1:14, Joh 1:18, Joh 5:23 Revelation 21:24”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 21 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification