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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Revelation 21:2

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bride;   Church;   Heaven;   Jerusalem;   Readings, Select;   Restoration;   Types;   Thompson Chain Reference - Adorning;   Beauty, Spiritual;   Beauty-Disfigurement;   Bride;   Bridegroom;   Christ;   Church;   Future, the;   Heaven;   Heavenly;   Home;   Jerusalem, New;   Names;   New;   Similitudes;   Spiritual;   Titles and Names;   The Topic Concordance - Covenant;   Earth;   Heaven/the Heavens;   Jerusalem;   Newness;   Sorrow;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Christ Is God;   Cities;   Excellency and Glory of the Church, the;   Jerusalem;   Tabernacle;   Titles and Names of the Church;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Jerusalem;   Solomon's Song;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Apocalyptic literature;   City;   Eschatology;   Marriage;   Millennium;   Peace;   Prophecy, prophet;   Vision;   Zion;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Animals;   Beauty;   Christians, Names of;   Church, the;   Confidence;   Create, Creation;   God;   Jerusalem;   Jesus Christ;   New Command;   New Creation;   New Heavens and a New Earth;   New Jerusalem;   Restore, Renew;   Song of Solomon, Theology of;   Touch;   World;   Worship;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Solomon, Song of;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Canticles;   ;   Citizenship;   Heaven;   Marriage;   Noah;   Revelation of John, the;   Thousand Years;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Bride;   Heaven;   Heavenly City, the;   Holy City;   Jewels, Jewelry;   Revelation, the Book of;   Temple of Jerusalem;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Hope;   Jehovah-Shammah;   Marriage;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - City;   Clothes;   Dependence;   Eschatology;   Family;   Holiness Purity;   Marriage (I.);   New Jerusalem;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Type;   Union with God;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Bride;   Eternal State;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Bride;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Marriage;   Solomon the song of;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Marriage;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Bride;   Jerusalem;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Bride;   Jerusalem;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Heavens, New (and Earth, New);   Husband;   Jerusalem, New;   New;   Parousia;   Revelation of John:;   Song of Songs;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Eschatology;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
King James Version (1611)
And I Iohn saw the holy City, new Hierusalem comming down from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
King James Version
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
New American Standard Bible
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
New Century Version
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband.
THE MESSAGE
I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband.
English Standard Version
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Berean Standard Bible
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Contemporary English Version
Then I saw New Jerusalem, that holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.
Complete Jewish Bible
Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Darby Translation
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And I Iohn sawe the holie citie newe Hierusalem come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride trimmed for her husband.
George Lamsa Translation
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Good News Translation
And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared and ready, like a bride dressed to meet her husband.
Lexham English Bible
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
Literal Translation
And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, having been prepared as a bride, having been adorned for her Husband.
Amplified Bible
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed like a bride adorned for her husband;
American Standard Version
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Bible in Basic English
And I saw the holy town, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, like a bride made beautiful for her husband.
Hebrew Names Version
I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
International Standard Version
I also saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.Isaiah 52:1; 54:5; 61:10; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22; 13:14; Revelation 3:10,12;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And the holy city, Urishlem the new, I saw descending from heaven from Aloha, prepared as the bride is decked for her husband.
Murdock Translation
And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And I Iohn sawe the holy citie newe Hierusalem come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride garnisshed for her husbande.
English Revised Version
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
World English Bible
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride, adorned for her husband.
Weymouth's New Testament
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God and made ready like a bride attired to meet her husband.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Y Joon say the hooli citee Jerusalem, newe, comynge doun fro heuene, maad redi of God, as a wijf ourned to hir hosebonde.
Update Bible Version
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Webster's Bible Translation
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
New English Translation
And I saw the holy city—the new Jerusalem—descending out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband.
New King James Version
Then I, John, [fn] saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
New Living Translation
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
New Life Bible
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem. It was coming down out of heaven from God. It was made ready like a bride is made ready for her husband.
New Revised Standard
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, the holy city, new Jerusalem, saw I coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I, John, saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revised Standard Version
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And I Iho sawe that holy cite newe Ierusalem come doune from God oute of heven prepared as a bryde garnysshed for hyr husband.
Young's Literal Translation
and I, John, saw the holy city -- new Jerusalem -- coming down from God out of the heaven, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And I Ihon sawe that holy cite newe Ierusalem come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a bryde garnisshed for hyr hussband.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Simplified Cowboy Version
The new city of Jerusalem came down from heaven dressed like a bride ready to get hitched.

Contextual Overview

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared. Now there was no sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne. It said, "Now God's home is with people. He will live with them. They will be his people. God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone." 5 The one who was sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted." 6 The one on the throne said to me, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give free water from the spring of the water of life to anyone who is thirsty. 7 All those who win the victory will receive all this. And I will be their God, and they will be my children. 8 But those who are cowards, those who refuse to believe, those who do terrible things, those who kill, those who sin sexually, those who do evil magic, those who worship idols, and those who tell lies—they will all have a place in the lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I: Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:9

the holy: Revelation 3:12, Psalms 48:1-3, Psalms 87:3, Isaiah 1:21, Isaiah 52:1, Jeremiah 31:23, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 12:22, Hebrews 13:14

coming: Revelation 21:10, Galatians 4:25, Galatians 4:26

as: Revelation 19:7, Revelation 19:8, Psalms 45:9-14, Isaiah 54:5, Isaiah 61:10, Isaiah 62:4, John 3:29, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27, Ephesians 5:30-32

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 11:18 - the holy Psalms 46:4 - city Psalms 68:16 - the hill Psalms 84:1 - How Psalms 107:7 - that they Song of Solomon 2:16 - beloved Song of Solomon 4:7 - General Song of Solomon 4:9 - my spouse Song of Solomon 6:3 - my beloved's Song of Solomon 6:4 - comely Isaiah 48:2 - they call Isaiah 49:18 - as a bride Isaiah 65:11 - my holy Jeremiah 2:32 - a maid Jeremiah 33:2 - the maker Ezekiel 16:10 - clothed Ezekiel 43:7 - where I Daniel 9:20 - for Hosea 2:19 - And I will Matthew 5:35 - the city Matthew 9:15 - Can Matthew 25:1 - the bridegroom Matthew 27:53 - holy John 14:2 - I go Ephesians 5:32 - speak Revelation 11:2 - and the Revelation 21:9 - the Lamb's Revelation 22:17 - the bride Revelation 22:19 - and out

Cross-References

Genesis 17:19
God said, "No, I said that your wife Sarah will have a son. You will name him Isaac. I will make my agreement with him that will continue forever with all his descendants.
Genesis 17:21
But I will make my agreement with Isaac, the son who Sarah will have. He will be born at this same time next year."
Genesis 18:10
Then one of them said, "I will come again in the spring. At that time your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening in the tent and heard these things.
Genesis 18:14
But is anything too hard for the Lord ? I will come again in the spring, just as I said I would, and your wife Sarah will have a son."
Genesis 21:16
Then she walked a short distance away and sat down. She thought her son would die because there was no water. She did not want to watch him die. She sat there and began to cry.
Genesis 21:17
God heard the boy crying, and God's angel called to Hagar from heaven. He said, "What is wrong, Hagar? Don't be afraid! God has heard the boy crying there.
Genesis 21:24
And Abraham said, "I promise to treat you the same way you have treated me."
Genesis 21:25
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech because Abimelech's servants had captured a well of water.
Luke 1:36
And here's something else: Your relative Elizabeth is pregnant. She is very old, but she is going to have a son. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant now for six months.
Acts 7:8
"God made an agreement with Abraham; the sign for this agreement was circumcision. And so when Abraham had a son, he circumcised him when he was eight days old. His son's name was Isaac. Isaac also circumcised his son Jacob. And Jacob did the same for his sons, who became the twelve great ancestors of our people.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And I John saw the holy city,.... The same with the beloved city in Revelation 20:9 the church of God: sometimes the church militant is called a city, of which the saints are now fellow citizens, governed by wholesome laws, and enjoying many privileges; but here the general assembly and church of the firstborn, or all the elect of God, are intended, the whole body and society of them, being as a city, compact together; called holy, not only because set apart to holiness by God the Father, and their sins expiated by the blood of Christ, or because he is made sanctification to them, or because internally sanctified by the Spirit of God, which now is but in part; but because they will be perfectly holy in themselves, without the being of sin in them, or any spot of it on them: and John, for the more strong ascertaining the truth of this vision, expresses his name, who saw it, to whom God sent his angel, and signified to him by these Apocalyptic visions what should be hereafter; though the name is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions:

new Jerusalem; the church of God, both in the Old and New Testament, is often called Jerusalem, to which its name, which signifies the vision of peace, agrees; it was the city of the great King, whither the tribes went up to worship; it was a free city, and a fortified one: the Gospel church state in its imperfection is called the heavenly Jerusalem, and the Jerusalem above, which is free, and the mother of all; and here the church in its perfect state is called the new Jerusalem, where will be complete peace and prosperity; and which is called new, because it has its seat in the new heaven and new earth: the inhabitants of which will appear in their new and shining robes of immortality and glory; and to distinguish it from the old Jerusalem, and even from the former state of the church; for this will be תליתאה "the third time" that Jerusalem will be built, as say the Jews, namely, in the time of the King Messiah r:

coming down from God out of heaven; which designs not the spiritual and heavenly original of the saints, being born from above, on which account the church is called the heavenly Jerusalem; but a local descent of all the saints with Christ from the third heaven into the air, where they will be met by living saints; and their bodies being raised and united to their souls, they will reign with Christ in the new earth: and this is

"the building which the Jews say God will prepare for the Jerusalem which is above, לנחתא, "to descend into" s:''

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; Christ is the husband, or bridegroom, and the church is his spouse, and bride; and in these characters they will both appear at this time, when the marriage between them will be consummated: and the church may be said to be prepared as such, when all the elect of God are gathered in, the number of the saints is perfected; when the good work of grace is finished in them all, and they are all arrayed in the righteousness of Christ: and to be "adorned", when not only they are clothed with the robe of righteousness, and garments of salvation, and are beautified with the graces of the Spirit, but also with the bright robes of immortality and glory. The phrase is Jewish, and is to be read exactly as here in the book of Zohar t.

r Zohar in Gen. fol. 126. 4. s Ib. fol. 103. 4. t Zohar in Gen. fol. 53. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven - See the Analysis of the chapter. On the phrase “new Jerusalem,” see the Galatians 4:26 note, and Hebrews 12:22 note. Here it refers to the residence of the redeemed, the heavenly world, of which Jerusalem was the type and symbol. It is here represented as “coming down from God out of heaven.” This, of course, does not mean that this great city was “literally” to descend upon the earth, and to occupy any one part of the renovated world; but it is a symbolical or figurative representation, designed to show that the abode of the righteous will be splendid and glorious. The idea of a city literally descending from heaven, and being set upon the earth with such proportions - three hundred and seventy miles high Revelation 21:16, made of gold, and with single pearls for gates, and single gems for the foundations - is absurd. No man can suppose that this is literally true, and hence this must be regarded as a figurative or emblematic description. It is a representation of the heavenly state under the image of a beautiful city, of which Jerusalem was, in many respects, a natural and striking emblem.

Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband - See the notes on Isaiah 49:18; Isaiah 61:10. The purpose here is, to represent it as exceedingly beautiful. The comparison of the church with a bride, or a wife, is common in the Scriptures. See the Revelation 19:7-8 notes, and Isaiah 1:21 note. It is also common in the Scriptures to compare a city with a beautiful woman, and these images here seem to be combined. It is a beautiful city that seems to descend, and this city is itself compared with a richly-attired bride prepared for her husband,

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 21:2. And I John — The writer of this book; whether the evangelist and apostle, or John the Ephesian presbyter, has been long doubted in the Church.

New Jerusalem — See Clarke's notes on Galatians 4:24-27. This doubtless means the Christian Church in a state of great prosperity and purity; but some think eternal blessedness is intended.

Coming down from God — It is a maxim of the ancient Jews that both the tabernacle, and the temple, and Jerusalem itself, came down from heaven. And in Midrash Hanaalem, Sohar Gen. fol. 69, col. 271, Rab. Jeremias said, "The holy blessed God shall renew the world, and build Jerusalem, and shall cause it to descend from heaven." Their opinion is, that there is a spiritual temple, a spiritual tabernacle, and a spiritual Jerusalem; and that none of these can be destroyed, because they subsist in their spiritual representatives. See Schoettgen.


 
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