Revelation 21:2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἶδον
saw
G1492
εἶδον
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 24
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίαν
the holy
G40
ἁγίαν
the holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
8 of 24
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλὴμ
Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
9 of 24
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
καινὴν
new
G2537
καινὴν
new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
10 of 24
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 24
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
14 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
15 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
17 of 24
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
19 of 24
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
νύμφην
a bride
G3565
νύμφην
a bride
Strong's:
G3565
Word #:
20 of 24
a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife
κεκοσμημένην
adorned
G2885
κεκοσμημένην
adorned
Strong's:
G2885
Word #:
21 of 24
to put in proper order, i.e., decorate (literally or figuratively); specially, to snuff (a wick)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 11:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.Revelation 3:12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.Revelation 21:10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,Hebrews 13:14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.Isaiah 61:10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.Hebrews 12:22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,Revelation 22:19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Historical Context
Written during John's exile on Patmos (c. AD 95), this vision countered Roman imperial propaganda. While Rome boasted of the 'Eternal City' with its temples, forums, and Caesar worship, John reveals the true eternal city descending from heaven. The bridal imagery would resonate with churches familiar with Jewish wedding customs where the groom prepared a place for his bride (John 14:2-3).
Questions for Reflection
- If the New Jerusalem is 'prepared' by God and 'comes down' from heaven, what does this teach about salvation by grace versus human religious achievement?
- How does the bride imagery challenge you to live in holiness now, awaiting Christ's return as His prepared and adorned bride?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The vision opens with the holy city (τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἁγίαν, tēn polin tēn hagian), emphasizing not a renovated earthly Jerusalem but an entirely new creation. The phrase coming down from God out of heaven (καταβαίνουσαν ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ, katabainousan ek tou ouranou apo tou theou) shows divine origin—this city is God's gift, not human achievement.
The bride imagery (ἡτοιμασμένην ὡς νύμφην κεκοσμημένην, hētoimasmenēn hōs nymphēn kekosmēmenēn—'prepared as a bride adorned') fulfills Old Testament marriage metaphors (Isaiah 54:5, 62:5; Ezekiel 16:8-14) and Paul's teaching that the church is Christ's bride (Ephesians 5:25-27). The perfect passive participles 'prepared' and 'adorned' indicate God's complete and finished work—the church's holiness comes from Christ's sanctifying work, not her own efforts. This is the consummation of redemptive history: God dwelling with His glorified people in perfect covenant union.