The Meaning of Revelation 21:23 Explained

Revelation 21:23

KJV: And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

YLT: and the city hath no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they may shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp of it is the Lamb;

Darby: And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine for it; for the glory of God has enlightened it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.

ASV: And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the city  had  no  need  of the sun,  neither  of the moon,  to  shine  in  it:  for  the glory  of God  did lighten  it,  and  the Lamb  [is] the light  thereof. 

What does Revelation 21:23 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Evidently there will be no sun and moon (and stars) in the new heaven because God"s glory will illuminate the whole earth (cf. Isaiah 60:19). The need for created light sources will end when the Creator Himself lives among His people. God illuminated the camp of Israel with His presence in the pillar of fire, and He lit the holy of holies with His presence between the cherubim. He will similarly dispel all darkness of all kinds in the new city. The Lamb is the radiance of the Father"s glory ( Hebrews 1:3), but the Father is also the light ( Revelation 22:5).
"It truly will be the Jesus Christ Light and Power Company then." [1]

Context Summary

Revelation 21:9-27 - "the Holy City"
The "new Jerusalem" is the redeemed Church united with her Lord in the act of governing the whole world. A city is obviously the seat of imperial rule. In that blessed condition the saints will rule the earth as the powers of darkness rule it now. We shall enjoy the fellowship of the good and great of every age. In a literal sense we shall be fellow-citizens with the saints. All ages and dispensations will blend there. Angels at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes and twelve Apostles engraved in imperishable characters to indicate the blending of the dispensations; the differing stones, representing variety of character and function but all blending in the light of the Lamb on the throne.
The happy throngs pour through the gates with never-ending rapture. Those gates, facing every quarter, stand always open; but none desire to go forth, except commissioned on some errand by the King. All the glory and honor of the world are gathered within those walls, because Jesus will be king over every department of human life. There will be room for all beauty, art, and culture in the city of eternal light and love. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 21

1  A new heaven and a new earth
10  The heavenly Jerusalem, with a full description thereof
23  She needs no sun, the glory of God being her light
24  The kings of the earth bring their riches unto her

Greek Commentary for Revelation 21:23

To shine upon it [ινα παινωσιν αυτηι]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the present active subjunctive of παινω — phainō to keep on shining. Light is always a problem in our cities. See Isaiah 60:19. [source]
Did lighten it [επωτισεν αυτην]
First aorist active indicative of πωτιζω — phōtizō to illumine, old verb from πως — phōs (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 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 (και ο λυχνος αυτης το αρνιον — kai ho luchnos autēs to arnion). Charles takes ο λυχνος — ho luchnos 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 λυχνιαι — luchniai 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). [source]
And the lamp thereof is the Lamb [και ο λυχνος αυτης το αρνιον]
Charles takes ο λυχνος — ho luchnos 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 λυχνιαι — luchniai 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). [source]
The glory of God did lighten it []
Compare Isaiah 60:19, Isaiah 60:20. [source]
The light [ὁ λύχνος]
Rev., better, lamp. See on John 5:35. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 21:23

John 5:35 He [εκεινος]
“That one” (John of John 5:33). Common demonstrative (that one) in John to point out the subject. Used in John 1:8 of the Baptist as here. John was now in prison and so Christ uses ην — ēn (was). His active ministry is over. The lamp The lamp in the room (Mark 4:21). Old word for lamp or candle as in Matthew 5:15. Used of Christ (the Lamb) as the Lamp of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:23). Λαμπας — Lampas (Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:3, etc.) is a torch whose wick is fed with oil. The Baptist was not the Light “Non Lux iste, sed lucerna.” Jesus by his own claim is the Light of the World (John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46). And yet all believers are in a sense “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14) since the world gets the Light of Christ through us. That burneth See Matthew 5:15 for this verb used with λυχνος — luchnos (lighting a candle or lamp). The lamp that is lit and is burning (present passive participle of καιω — kaiō and so is consumed). And shineth See John 1:4 for this verb used of the Logos shining in the darkness. Cf. 1 John 2:8. John was giving light as he burned for those in darkness like these Jews. And ye were willing “But ye became willing.” Ingressive aorist active indicative of τελω — thelō Reference again to John 1:19. Cf. also for the temporary popularity of the Baptist Mark 1:5; Matthew 3:5; Matthew 11:7; Matthew 21:26. The Jews were attracted to John “like moths to a candle” (Bernard). To rejoice First aorist passive infinitive of αγαλλιαομαι — agalliaomai late word for αγαλλομαι — agallomai for which see Matthew 5:12. “They were attracted by his brightness, not by his warmth” (Bengel). Even so the brightness of John‘s shining did not really enlighten their minds. “The interest in the Baptist was a frivolous, superficial, and short-lived excitement” (Vincent). It was only “for an hour” (προς ωραν — pros hōran) when they turned against him. [source]
1 Peter 1:4 Incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away []
Note Peter's characteristic multiplication of epithets. Incorruptible ( ἄφθαρτον )From ἀ , not, and φθείρω , to destroy or corrupt. Undefiled ( ἀμίαντον )From ἀ , not, and μιαίνω , to defile, though the verb means especially to defile by staining, as with color; while μολύνω , also translated defile (1 Corinthians 8:7), is to besmirch, as with mire. We might render unstained, though the word is not used with any conscious reference to its etymology. That fadeth not away ( ἀμάραντον ) Used by Peter only, and but once. From ἀ , not, and μαραίνομαι , to wither. The loveliness of the heavenly inheritance is described as exempt from the blight which attaches to earthly bloom. As between ἄφθαρτον , incorruptible, and ἀμάραντον , unwitheringthe former emphasizes the indestructibility of substance, and the latter of grace, and beauty. The latter adjective appears in the familiar botanical name amaranth. It will be observed that all of these three epithets are compounded with the negative particle ἀ , not. Archbishop Trench aptly remarks that “it is a remarkable testimony to the reign of sin, and therefore of imperfection, of decay, of death throughout this whole fallen world, that as often as we desire to set forth the glory, purity, and perfection of that other, higher world toward which we strive, we are almost inevitably compelled to do this by the aid of negatives; by the denying to that higher order of things the leading features and characteristics of this.” Compare Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 21:22, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:3, Revelation 22:5. [source]
1 John 2:8 Shineth [φαίνει]
See on John 1:5. Compare Revelation 1:16; Revelation 8:12; Revelation 21:23; 2 Peter 1:19. See also Romans 13:11sqq.; Titus 2:11; Titus 3:4. [source]
Revelation 21:11 Light [φωστὴρ]
Strictly, luminary; that with which the city is illumined, the heavenly Lamb. See Revelation 21:23. The word occurs only here and Philemon 2:15. [source]
Revelation 18:1 Was lightened [επωτιστη]
First aorist passive of πωτιζω — phōtizō old causative verb (from πως — phōs light), common in N.T. as in Revelation 18:1; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5.With his glory (εκ της δοχης αυτου — ek tēs doxēs autou). “By reason of (εκ — ek as in Revelation 8:13; Revelation 16:10) his glory.” “So recently has he come from the Presence that in passing he flings a broad belt of light across the dark earth” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 22:5 Shall give them light [πωτισει]
Future active of πωτιζω — phōtizō while aorist επωτισεν — ephōtisen in Revelation 21:23. [source]
Revelation 22:5 They need [εχουσιν χρειαν]
Present active indicative, “They have need,” though A has εχουσιν — hexousin (shall have), future like εσται — estai Here again there is repetition of part of Revelation 21:23, but for the purpose of showing the delightsomeness of the New Jerusalem with no need of lamp or sun (change to πως — phōs with ηλιου — hēliou instead of πωτος — phōtos “they have no light of sun”).Shall give them light (πωτισει — phōtisei). Future active of πωτιζω — phōtizō while aorist επωτισεν — ephōtisen in Revelation 21:23.They shall reign Future active of βασιλευω — basileuō Reign eternally in contrast with the limited millennial reign of Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:6. This glorious eternal reign with Christ occurs repeatedly in the book (Revelation 1:6; Revelation 3:21; Revelation 5:10) as in Luke 22:30. Christ‘s Kingdom is spiritual (John 18:36.). “The visions of the Apocalypse are now ended; they have reached their climax in the New Jerusalem” (Swete). Now John gives the parting utterances of some of the speakers, and it is not always clear who is speaking. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 21:23 mean?

And the city no need has of the sun nor of the moon that they should shine in it for glory - of God enlightened it the lamp of it [is] the Lamb
καὶ πόλις οὐ χρείαν ἔχει τοῦ ἡλίου οὐδὲ τῆς σελήνης ἵνα φαίνωσιν αὐτῇ γὰρ δόξα τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐφώτισεν αὐτήν λύχνος αὐτῆς τὸ Ἀρνίον

πόλις  city 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: πόλις  
Sense: a city.
οὐ  no 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
χρείαν  need 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χρεία  
Sense: necessity, need.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἡλίου  sun 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: ἥλιος  
Sense: the sun.
οὐδὲ  nor 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
τῆς  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σελήνης  moon 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σελήνη  
Sense: the moon.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
φαίνωσιν  they  should  shine 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: φαίνω  
Sense: to bring forth into the light, cause to shine, shed light.
αὐτῇ  in  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
δόξα  glory 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: δόξα  
Sense: opinion, judgment, view.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐφώτισεν  enlightened 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φωτίζω  
Sense: to give light, to shine.
λύχνος  lamp 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λύχνος  
Sense: a lamp, candle, that is placed on a stand or candlestick.
αὐτῆς  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
τὸ  [is]  the 
Parse: Article, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἀρνίον  Lamb 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀρνίον  
Sense: .