Revelation 21:23

To shine upon it

(ινα φαινωσιν αυτη). Purpose clause with ινα and the present active subjunctive of φαινω, to keep on shining. Light is always a problem in our cities. See Isaiah 60:19.Did lighten it

(εφωτισεν αυτην). First aorist active indicative of φωτιζω, to illumine, old verb from φως (Luke 11:36). If the sun and moon did shine, they would give no added light in the presence of the Shekinah Glory of God. See verse Revelation 21:11 for "the glory of God." Cf. Revelation 18:1; Revelation 21:3. "Their splendour is simply put to shame by the glory of God Himself" (Charles).And the lamp thereof is the Lamb

(κα ο λυχνος αυτης το αρνιον). Charles takes ο λυχνος as predicate, "and the Lamb is the lamp thereof." Bousset thinks that John means to compare Christ to the moon the lesser light (Genesis 1:16), but that contrast is not necessary. Swete sees Christ as the one lamp for all in contrast with the many λυχνια of the churches on earth (Revelation 1:12; Revelation 1:20). "No words could more clearly demonstrate the purely spiritual character of St. John's conception of the New Jerusalem" (Swete).