Revelation 3:12

Authorized King James Version

Him 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
νικῶν
that overcometh
to subdue (literally or figuratively)
#3
ποιήσω
will I make
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
#4
αὐτὸν
Him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#5
στῦλον
a pillar
a post ("style"), i.e., (figuratively) support
#6
ἐν
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#7
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
ναῷ
the temple
a fane, shrine, temple
#9
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
θεοῦ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#11
μου
I will write upon him my
of me
#12
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#13
ἔξω
out
out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively
#14
οὐ
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#15
μὴ
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#16
ἐξέλθῃ
he shall go
to issue (literally or figuratively)
#17
ἔτι
more
"yet," still (of time or degree)
#18
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
γράψω
I will write
to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
#20
ἐπ'
upon
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#21
αὐτὸν
Him
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#23
ὄνομά
name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#24
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
θεοῦ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#26
μου
I will write upon him my
of me
#27
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#28
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#29
ὄνομά
name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#30
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#31
πόλεως
of the city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#32
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#33
θεοῦ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#34
μου
I will write upon him my
of me
#35
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#36
καινόν
new
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
#37
Ἰερουσαλήμ
Jerusalem
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
#38
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#39
καταβαίνουσα
cometh down
to descend (literally or figuratively)
#40
ἐκ
out of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#41
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#42
οὐρανοῦ
heaven
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
#43
ἀπὸ
from
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#44
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#45
θεοῦ
God
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
#46
μου
I will write upon him my
of me
#47
καὶ
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#48
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#49
ὄνομά
name
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
#50
μου
I will write upon him my
of me
#51
τὸ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#52
καινόν
new
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection