Revelation 21:5
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθήμενος
he that sat
G2521
καθήμενος
he that sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
4 of 23
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐπὶ
upon
G1909
ἐπὶ
upon
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θρόνου,
the throne
G2362
θρόνου,
the throne
Strong's:
G2362
Word #:
7 of 23
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
καινὰ
new
G2537
καινὰ
new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
9 of 23
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
ποιῶ
I make
G4160
ποιῶ
I make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
11 of 23
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
he said
G3004
λέγει
he said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
13 of 23
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Γράψον
Write
G1125
Γράψον
Write
Strong's:
G1125
Word #:
15 of 23
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 23
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὗτοι
these
G3778
οὗτοι
these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
17 of 23
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγοι
words
G3056
λόγοι
words
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
19 of 23
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.Isaiah 42:9Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.Isaiah 43:19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.Revelation 19:9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.Revelation 22:6And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.Revelation 4:2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.Revelation 1:19Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Historical Context
This vision comes at Revelation's climax after the millennium, final judgment, and destruction of death and Hades (20:11-15). John transitions from judgment to consummation—the eternal state where redeemed humanity dwells with God forever. The command to "write" emphasizes permanence for persecuted first-century churches: their suffering has cosmic purpose in God's plan culminating in total renewal. Unlike Greco-Roman philosophy's cyclical history or Platonic escape from materiality, biblical eschatology promises renewed creation—vindication of God's original "very good" design (Genesis 1:31).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise "I make all things new" give hope amid present suffering or disappointment with this world's brokenness?
- Why does God command John to write these words, and what does their "faithful and true" character reveal about trusting biblical promises that seem delayed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"Behold, I make all things new" (ἰδοὺ καινὰ ποιῶ πάντα, idou kaina poiō panta)—The One on the throne declares total cosmic renewal. The Greek kainos means qualitatively new, not merely recent (neos), pointing to unprecedented newness. This echoes Isaiah 43:19 and 65:17 but exceeds it: not repair but re-creation. Significantly, God speaks in present tense—"I make" (poiō)—showing the certainty of future reality spoken as accomplished fact.
"Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Γράψον, ὅτι οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι πιστοὶ καὶ ἀληθινοί εἰσιν)—The command to write (grapson) appears seven times in Revelation, marking crucial revelations. The dual affirmation pistoi kai alēthinoi (faithful and true) uses Christ's own title from 19:11, authenticating these words as God's own character-backed promises. This isn't wishful thinking but divine decree from the One who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).