Revelation 3:21

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.
Revelation 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
21He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To him that overcometh, etc.] The lukewarmness, and selfconfidence, and security of this state: will I grant to sit with me in my throne; at the close of this church state, which will be the last of this kind, consisting of imperfect saints, Christ will descend from heaven with the souls of all the righteous, and raise their bodies and unite them to them; which, with the living saints, will make one general assembly and church of the firstborn, all perfect soul and body; among these he will place his tabernacle, and fix his throne; and they being all made kings as well as priests to him, shall now reign on earth with him, and that for the space of a thousand years: and this is the blessing…”
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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
“sit with me in my throne-- (Rev 2:26-27; Rev 20:6; Mat 19:28; Mat 20:23; Joh 17:22, Joh 17:24; Ti2 2:12). The same whom Christ had just before threatened to spue out of His mouth, is now offered a seat with Him on His throne! "The highest place is within reach of the lowest; the faintest spark of grace may be fanned into the mightiest flame of love" [TRENCH]. even as I also--Two thrones are here mentioned: (1) His Father's, upon which He now sits, and has sat since His ascension, after His victory over death, sin, the world; upon this none can sit save God, and the God-man Christ Jesus, for it is the incommunicable prerogative of God alone; (2) the throne which shall be peculiarly His as the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“To him that overcometh - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. Will I grant to sit with me in my throne - That is, they will share his honors and his triumphs. See the notes on Revelation 2:26-27; compare the notes on Romans 8:17. Even as I also overcame - As I gained a victory over the world, and over the power of the tempter. As the reward of this, he is exalted to the throne of the universe Philippians 2:6-11, and in these honors, achieved by their great and glorious Head, all the redeemed will share. And am set down with my Father in his throne - Compare the notes on Philippians 2:6-11. That is, he has dominion over the universe. All things are put under his feet, and in the strictest unison…”
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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 will give him to sit with me on my throne - In unspeakable happiness and glory. Elsewhere, heaven itself is termed the throne of God: but this throne is in heaven. Revelation 3:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:21 The reward for victorious and obedient faith is to sit with Christ on his throne. Christians do not become divine, but they share in Christ’s victorious reign (20:4, 6; 22:5; Col 3:1-4; 2 Tim 2:12).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“him: Rev 2:7, Rev 12:11; Jo1 5:4, Jo1 5:5 to sit: Rev 1:6, Rev 2:26, Rev 2:27; Mat 19:28; Luk 22:30; Co1 6:2, Co1 6:3; Ti2 2:12 even: Joh 16:33 and am: Rev 5:6-8, Rev 7:17; Dan 7:13, Dan 7:14; Mat 28:18; Joh 5:22, Joh 5:23; Eph 1:20-23; Phi 2:9-21 Revelation 3:22”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification