New [κ α ι ν ο ν]. See on Matthew 26:29. Compare Isaiah 65:17. There was no more sea [η θ α λ α σ σ α ο υ κ ε σ τ ι ν ε π ι]. Lit., as Rev., the sea is no more. Here as in Revelation 20:13. Some explain the sea as the ungodly world. I cannot help thinking this interpretation forced. According to thi... [ Continue Reading ]
I John. Omit John. New Jerusalem. Others join new with coming down, and render corning down new out of heaven. A bride. Compare Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 61:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
With men. Men at large. No longer with an isolated people like Israel. He shall dwell [σ κ η ν ω σ ε ι]. Lit., tabernacle. Only in Revelation and John 1:14. The word "denotes much more than the mere general notion of dwelling. There lies in it one of the particulars of that identification of Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
And God shall wipe away. Omit God. Read, as Rev., and He shall wipe away. All tears [π α ν δ α κ ρ υ ο ν]. Lit., every tear. Compare Isaiah 25:8. There shall be no more death [ο θ α ν α τ ο ς ο υ κ ε σ τ α ι ε τ ι]. Render, as Rev., death shall be no more. Sorrow [π ε ν θ ο ς]. Better, as Rev., mou... [ Continue Reading ]
True and faithful [α λ η θ ι ν ο ι κ α ι π ι σ τ ο ι]. The proper order of the Greek is the reverse, as Rev., faithful and true.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is done [γ ε γ ο ν ε ν]. The correct reading is gegonan they are come to pass; i e., these words. Alpha and Omega. Both have the article, "the alpha," etc. See on ch. Revelation 1:8. Unto him that is athirst. Compare Isaiah 55:1. Fountain [π η γ η ς]. See on John 4:6. Of the water of life. See... [ Continue Reading ]
All things [π α ν τ α]. The correct reading is tauta these things. So Rev. His God [α υ τ ω θ ε ο ς]. Lit., God unto him. My Son [μ ο ι ο υ ι ο ς]. Lit., the Son to me. See on John 1:12. This is the only place in John's writings where uiJov son is used of the relation of man to God.... [ Continue Reading ]
The fearful [δ ε ι λ ο ι ς]. The dative case. Hence, as Rev., for the fearful. Only here, Matthew 8:26, and Mark 4:40. Abominable [ε β δ ε λ υ γ μ ε ν ο ι ς]. See on abomination, Matthew 24:15. Properly, defiled with abominations. Whoremongers [π ο ρ ν ο ι ς]. Much better, as Rev., fornicators. S... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto me. Omit. Vials. Properly bowls. See on ch. Revelation 5:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
In the Spirit. See on ch. Revelation 1:10. Mountain. Compare Ezekiel 40:2. That great city, the holy Jerusalem. Omit great. Render the article as usual, and not as a demonstrative pronoun, and construe holy With city. So Rev., the holy city Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
Glory of God. Not merely divine brightness, but the presence of the God of glory Himself. Compare Exodus 40:34. Light [φ ω σ τ η ρ]. Strictly, luminary; that with which the city is illumined, tlle heavenly Lamb. See ver. 23. The word occurs only here and Philippians 2:15. Jasper. See on ch. Revela... [ Continue Reading ]
And had [ε χ ο υ σ α ν τ ε]. Rev., more simply and literally, having. Gates [π υ λ ω ν α ς]. Properly large gates. See on Luke 16:20; Acts 12:13. Compare Ezekiel 48:30 sqq.... [ Continue Reading ]
East [α ν α τ ο λ η ς]. See on Matthew 2:2, and on day - spring, Luke 1:78. See the tribes arranged by gates in Ezekiel 48:31-34. West [δ υ σ μ ω ν]. Lit., the goings down or settings.... [ Continue Reading ]
Foundations [θ ε μ ε λ ι ο υ ς]. See on the kindred verb qemeliwsei shalt settle, 1 Peter 5:10. In them the names [ε ν α υ τ ο ι ς ο ν ο μ α τ α]. The correct reading is ejp' aujtwn dwdeka ojnomata, on them twelve names.... [ Continue Reading ]
A golden reed. Add metron as a measure. See ch. Revelation 11:1. Compare Ezekiel 40:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Four square [τ ε τ ρ α γ ω ν ο ς]. From tetra four and gwnia an angle. Only here in the New Testament. Compare Ezekiel 48:16; Ezekiel 48:20. Twelve - thousand furlongs [ε π ι σ τ α δ ι ω ν δ ω δ ε κ α χ ι λ ι α δ ω ν]. Strictly, to the length of [ε π ι] twelve, etc. For the collective term ciliadev... [ Continue Reading ]
Cubits [π η χ ω ν]. The word originally means that part of the arm between the hand and the elbow - joint, the forearm. Hence a cubit or ell, a measure of the distance from the joint of the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, i e., about a foot and a half. The precise length, however, is disputed... [ Continue Reading ]
The building [ε ν δ ο μ η σ ι ς]. Only here in the New Testament. From ejn in and dwmaw to build. Lit., that which is built in. Hence the building of the wall is the material built into the wall; of which the wall was composed. Glass [υ α λ ω]. Only here and ver. 21. For the kindred adjective uJali... [ Continue Reading ]
All manner of precious stones. Compare Isaiah 54; Isaiah 11:12; 1 Chronicles 29:2. Sapphire [σ α π φ ε ι ρ ο ς]. Compare Isaiah 54:11; Ezekiel 1:26. Probably lapis lazuli. Our sapphire is supposed to be represented by the jacinth in ver. 20. Pliny describes the sapfeirov as opaque and sprinkled with... [ Continue Reading ]
Sardonyx [σ α ρ δ ο ν υ ξ]. The most beautiful and rarest variety of onyx. Pliny defines it as originally signifying a white mark in a sard, like the human nail [ο ν υ ξ] placed upon flesh, and both of them transparent. Onyx is called from the resemblance of its white and yellow veins to the shades... [ Continue Reading ]
Pearls [μ α ρ γ α ρ ι τ α ι]. The pearl seems to have been known from the earliest times to the Asiatic Greeks, in consequence of their intercourse with the Persians. Among the motives which impelled Caesar to attempt the conquest of Britain, was the fame of its pearl - fisheries. Pearls held the hi... [ Continue Reading ]
No temple. The entire city is now one holy temple of God. See on ch. Revelation 1:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
The glory of God did lighten it. Compare Isaiah 60:19; Isaiah 60:20. The light [ο λ υ χ ν ο ς]. Rev., better, lamp. See on John 5:35.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of them which are saved. Omit. In the light [ε ν τ ω φ ω τ ι]. Read dia tou fwtov "amidst the light" or "by the light." Do bring [φ ε ρ ο υ σ ι ν]. The present tense, denoting habit. Glory and honor. Omit and honor. Compare Isaiah 60:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
That defileth [κ ο ι ν ο υ ν]. The participle. But the correct reading is the adjective koinon common, hence unhallowed. Rev., unclean. Worketh [π ο ι ο υ ν]. Lit,, maketh or doeth. "In this present life, I reckon that we make the nearest approach to knowledge when we have the least possible commu... [ Continue Reading ]