Revelation 22:15
For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πόρνοι
whoremongers
G4205
πόρνοι
whoremongers
Strong's:
G4205
Word #:
10 of 23
a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e., (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φονεῖς
murderers
G5406
φονεῖς
murderers
Strong's:
G5406
Word #:
13 of 23
a murderer (always of criminal (or at least intentional) homicide; which g0443 does not necessarily imply; while g4607 is a special term for a public
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰδωλολάτραι
idolaters
G1496
εἰδωλολάτραι
idolaters
Strong's:
G1496
Word #:
16 of 23
an image- (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 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 #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φιλῶν
loveth
G5368
φιλῶν
loveth
Strong's:
G5368
Word #:
20 of 23
to be a friend to (fond of (an individual or an object)), i.e., have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling;
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
Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Philippians 3:2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Colossians 3:6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:Revelation 18:23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Isaiah 57:3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.Acts 8:11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Isaiah 47:12Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
Historical Context
First-century churches struggled with moral boundaries—how holy must members be? Lists of excluded sins appear throughout New Testament (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21), establishing moral standards. The imagery of those 'without' contrasts those 'within' the city, emphasizing clear distinction between redeemed and condemned. This warned against tolerating persistent sin in church fellowship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this exclusion list challenge you to examine whether your life demonstrates genuine repentance and faith?
- What does the persistence of these sins 'without' the city teach about the necessity of holiness for entering God's presence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The exclusion list (dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, liars) emphasizes that unrepentant sin bars entrance to the holy city. 'Dogs' was Jewish terminology for Gentiles or moral outcasts, here applied to the persistently immoral. The comprehensive catalog covers religious sin (sorcery, idolatry), sexual sin (fornication), violent sin (murder), and relational sin (lying). Reformed theology affirms that while believers struggle with sin, they don't persist in unrepentant practice (1 John 3:9). Those outside lack faith, demonstrated by continued evil. Only those washed by the Lamb's blood enter.