Revelation 21:3

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 21:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God:
Revelation 21:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God:

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 I heard a great voice out of heaven, etc.] Either of an angel, or rather of Christ, or God himself; since the Alexandrian copy and Vulgate Latin version read, “out of the throne”, saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men; in allusion to the tabernacle being with the Israelites, and the “Shechinah”, or divine Majesty, being in the midst of them, and as an accomplishment of the promise in (<263727>Ezekiel 37:27) in the fullest sense of it; and designs something distinct from the spiritual presence of Christ in his church, as his tabernacle and temple, and in the hearts of his people; and from the heavenly glory, or ultimate state of happiness, in which they will be “with him”, and…”
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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
“out of heaven--so ANDREAS. But A and Vulgate read, "out of the throne." the tabernacle--alluding to the tabernacle of God in the wilderness (wherein many signs of His presence were given): of which this is the antitype, having previously been in heaven: Rev 11:19; Rev 15:5, "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven"; also Rev 13:6. Compare the contrast in Heb 9:23, Heb 9:14, between "the patterns" and "the heavenly things themselves," between "the figures" and "the true." The earnest of the true and heavenly tabernacle was afforded in the Jerusalem temple described in Eze. 40:1-42:20, as about to be, namely, during the millennium. dwell with them--literally, "tabernacle with…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven - As if uttered by God himself or the voice, of angels. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men - The tabernacle, as that word is commonly used in the Scriptures, referring to the sacred “tent” erected in the wilderness, was regarded as the unique dwelling-place of God among his people - as the temple was afterward, which was also called a “tabernacle.” See the notes on Hebrews 9:2. The meaning here is, that God would now dwell with the redeemed, as if in a tabernacle, or in a house specially prepared for his residence among them. It is not said that this would be “on the earth,” although that may be; for it is possible that the earth, as well as…”
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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
“They shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God - So shall the covenant between God and his people be executed in the most glorious manner. Revelation 21:4”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:3 God’s home is now among his people! Old and New Testament expectations are fully and finally realized. Ever since humanity sinned (Gen 3), separation from God has been humanity’s greatest problem (Gen 3:23). God has repeatedly called his people to himself through the prophets, through Jesus his Son, and through the presence of the Spirit (see Gen 17:8; Exod 29:45-46; Pss 46:4-5; 95:7; Jer 7:23; 31:33; Ezek 34:14; 37:27; Zech 8:8; John 14:2-3; 17:24). In the new heaven and new earth, God’s people will finally experience ultimate and everlasting fellowship with God.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a great: Rev 10:4, Rev 10:8, Rev 12:10 Behold: Rev 7:15; Lev 26:11, Lev 26:12; Kg1 8:27; Ch2 6:18; Isa 12:6; Eze 37:27, Eze 43:7; Joh 1:14, Joh 14:23; Co2 6:16 they shall: Rev 21:7; Gen 17:7, Gen 17:8; Jer 31:33, Jer 32:38; Zac 13:9; Co2 6:18; Heb 8:10, Heb 11:16 God himself: Zac 8:8 Revelation 21:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification