Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
the Spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
3 of 25
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νύμφη
the bride
G3565
νύμφη
the bride
Strong's:
G3565
Word #:
6 of 25
a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife
λέγουσιν,
say
G3004
λέγουσιν,
say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἐλθέτω·
Come
G2064
ἐλθέτω·
Come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
8 of 25
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 25
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 #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθέτω·
Come
G2064
ἐλθέτω·
Come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 25
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 25
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 #:
15 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διψῶν
let him that is athirst
G1372
διψῶν
let him that is athirst
Strong's:
G1372
Word #:
16 of 25
to thirst for (literally or figuratively)
ἐλθέτω·
Come
G2064
ἐλθέτω·
Come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
17 of 25
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 25
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 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλων
whosoever will
G2309
θέλων
whosoever will
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
20 of 25
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
λαμβανέτω
let him take
G2983
λαμβανέτω
let him take
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
21 of 25
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 4:14But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.Revelation 21:6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.John 7:37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.Isaiah 12:3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.John 4:10Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.Psalms 34:8O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.Isaiah 2:5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.Revelation 21:2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Revelation 22:1And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.Revelation 21:9And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
Historical Context
This verse concludes Revelation's epilogue (22:6-21), written circa AD 95 during John's Patmos exile. The invitation mirrors ancient Near Eastern hospitality customs where water was freely offered to travelers. In the arid climate, water symbolized life itself—a metaphor Jesus used (John 4:10, 7:37-38). The "bride" (church) joining the Spirit's invitation shows the church's missionary nature: those who have drunk freely now call others to the fountain. This democratization of witness—"let him that heareth say, Come"—meant every believer, not just apostles, could extend grace's invitation.
Questions for Reflection
- If the Spirit and bride say "Come," are you adding your voice to this invitation by sharing the gospel with those who thirst?
- What does it mean that salvation's water is offered "freely" (δωρεάν)—how does this challenge both works-righteousness and cheap grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come (τὸ πνεῦμα καὶ ἡ νύμφη λέγουσιν ἔρχου)—The Holy Spirit and the church unite in this final invitation, echoing Jesus's own promise: "I will come again" (John 14:3). This is both evangelistic invitation and eschatological longing. The imperative erchou ("come") appears three times, creating urgent, repetitive appeal.
Let him that is athirst come (ὁ διψῶν ἐρχέσθω)—Isaiah's invitation (55:1) finds its ultimate fulfillment: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters." The present participle dipsōn ("thirsting") describes ongoing spiritual hunger. Whosoever will (ὁ θέλων) underscores free grace—salvation requires only willingness. Take the water of life freely (λαβέτω ὕδωρ ζωῆς δωρεάν)—the adverb dōrean means "without cost, as a gift." This final invitation in Scripture perfectly balances divine sovereignty ("the Spirit... say") and human responsibility ("whosoever will"), offering Christ to all who thirst.