Revelation 22:6

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 22:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.
Revelation 22:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And he said unto me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show unto his servants the things which must shortly come to pass.

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 he said unto me, etc.] That is, the angel that talked with him, and showed him the above things: these sayings are faithful and true; not only what are delivered in particular concerning the new Jerusalem state, in which are many things new, and unheard of before, and which may seem strange, and even incredible, but all that are written in this book, (<662207>Revelation 22:7,18,19) all which are “faithful”; to be believed by all that read them, and in the fulfilment of which the faithfulness of God is engaged and displayed: and they are true; for they come from the God of truth, that cannot lie, and are to be credited, and will have a certain accomplishment: this is said to secure the…”
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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
“These sayings are true--thrice repeated (Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5). For we are slow to believe that God is as good as He is. The news seems to us, habituated as we are to the misery of this fallen world, too good to be true [NANGLE]. They are no dreams of a visionary, but the realities of God's sure word. holy--so ANDREAS. But A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "(the Lord God of the) spirits (of the prophets)." The Lord God who with His Spirit inspired their spirits so as to be able to prophesy. There is but one Spirit, but individual prophets, according to the measure given them (Co1 12:4-11), had their own spirits [BENGEL] (Pe1 1:11; Pe2 1:21). be done--Greek, "come to pass."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto me - The angel-interpreter, who had showed John the vision of the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:9-10. As these visions are now at an end, the angel comes to John directly, and assures him that all these things are true - that there has been no deception of the senses in these visions, but that they were really divine disclosures of what would soon and certainly occur. These sayings are faithful and true - These communications - all that has been disclosed to you by symbols, or in direct language. See the notes on Revelation 21:5. And the Lord God of the holy prophets - The same God who inspired the ancient prophets. Sent his angel - See the notes on Revelation 1:1. To show…”
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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
“And he said to me - Here begins the conclusion of the book, exactly agreeing with the introduction, (particularly Rev 22:6-7, Rev 22:10, with Rev 1:1, Rev 1:3,) and giving light to the whole book, as this book does to the whole scripture. These sayings are faithful and true - All the things which you have heard and seen shall be faithfully accomplished in their order, and are infallibly true. The Lord, the God of the holy prophets - Who inspired and authorised them of old. Hath now sent me his angel, to show his servants - By thee. The things which must be done shortly - Which will begin to be performed immediately. Revelation 22:7”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:6-21 This epilogue to Revelation contains utterances by an angel (22:6, 8-11) and Christ (22:7, 12-19) followed by a concluding plea for Christ’s return (22:20) and a closing benediction (22:21). The epilogue has a number of direct verbal connections with the introduction to the book (1:1-11), and it sums up important themes such as encouraging faithful perseverance, warning evildoers, affirming the authenticity of the prophetic message, and restating the nearness of Christ’s return. 22:6 Everything that John records in Revelation is trustworthy and true because God, who has all authority (cp. Matt 28:18), has sent the messenger. But it does not mean these visions are easy to understand.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“These: Rev 19:9, Rev 21:5 the holy: Rev 18:20; Luk 1:70, Luk 16:16; Act 3:18; Rom 1:2; Pe1 1:11, Pe1 1:12; Pe2 1:21, Pe2 3:2 sent: Rev 1:1; Dan 3:28, Dan 6:22; Mat 13:41; Act 12:11; Th2 1:7 which: Rev 22:7; Gen 41:32; Co1 7:29; Pe2 3:8, Pe2 3:9 Revelation 22:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification