Revelation 22:12

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 22:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
Revelation 22:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.

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, behold, I come quickly, etc.]. This is repeated, to confirm the truth of Christ's second coming, and the speediness of it, and to point at the time when the above shall be, and to add what follows. And my reward is with me: which words are taken out of (<234010>Isaiah 40:10) (<236211>Isaiah 62:11) and which being compared together, furnish out a clear proof of Christ being the true Jehovah, the eternal God. There is a reward of debt, or a due reward, a reward of punishment, which is the just recompense of reward, which, shall be righteously given to wicked men for their sin, (<580202>Hebrews 2:2 <230311>Isaiah 3:11) and there is a reward of grace, which is also called the recompence of…”
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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
“And--in none of our manuscripts. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and CYPRIAN omit it. behold, I come quickly--(Compare Rev 22:7). my reward is with me-- (Isa 40:10; Isa 62:11). to give--Greek, "to render." every man--Greek, "to each." shall be--so B in MAI. But B in TISCHENDORF, and A, Syriac, read, "is."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And behold, I come quickly - See the notes on Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:3. These are undoubtedly the words of the Redeemer; and the meaning is, that the period when the unchanging sentence would be passed on each individual - on the unjust, the filthy, the righteous, and the holy - would not be remote. The design of this seems to be to impress on the mind the solemnity of the truth that the condition hereafter will soon be fixed, and to lead people to prepare for it. In reference to each individual, the period is near when it is to be determined whether he will be holy or sinful to all eternity. What thought could there be more adapted to impress on the mind the importance of giving…”
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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
“I - Jesus Christ. Come quickly - To judge the world. And my reward is with me - The rewards which I assign both to the righteous and the wicked are given at my coming. To give to every man according as his work - His whole inward and outward behaviour shall be. Revelation 22:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:12 Christ is coming soon . . . to repay all people, not just on the basis of their profession of faith, but according to their deeds (see 2:23; 11:18; 14:13; 20:12-13; see also Prov 24:12; Matt 16:27; 2 Cor 5:10). Not every statement of belief is genuine (John 2:23-25); faith will show itself in actions (Jas 2:14-26). We are indeed saved by the grace and power of God in Christ. Our works do not save us, but they do indicate the seriousness of our confession and provide a just basis for our ultimate reward or punishment.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I come: Rev 22:7; Zep 1:14 and my: Rev 11:18; Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11, Isa 40:10, Isa 62:11; Co1 3:8, Co1 3:14, Co1 9:17, Co1 9:18 to give: Rev 20:12; Mat 16:27; Rom 2:6-11, Rom 14:12 Revelation 22:13”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification