Revelation 21:4
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Revelation 21:4
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Chapter Context
Revelation 21 is a apocalyptic vision chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, judgment, faith. Written during the end of the first century CE (c. 95 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Emperor worship intensified under Domitian, pressuring Christians to compromise their exclusive loyalty to Christ.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-27: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Revelation and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Revelation 21:4
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Analysis
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (καὶ ἐξαλείψει ὁ θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον)—The verb exaleipsei means to "wipe out, erase completely," the same word used for blotting out sin (Acts 3:19, Col 2:14). God Himself performs this most tender act, echoing Isaiah 25:8. This is not mere comfort but complete obliteration of sorrow's cause.
There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither...any more pain—A fourfold negation dismantling the curse of Genesis 3. Thanatos (death), penthos (mourning/grief), krauge (crying out in distress), and ponos (pain/toil) are permanently abolished. The repeated ouketi ("no more, no longer") emphasizes finality. What Adam's sin introduced, the Second Adam's victory eradicates forever.
For the former things are passed away (ὅτι τὰ πρῶτα ἀπῆλθαν)—Perfect tense: they "have gone away and remain gone." This is the eternal state, not the millennial kingdom. Paul's "old things passed away, all things become new" (2 Cor 5:17) finds ultimate fulfillment here. The new creation eclipses the first creation as fully as resurrection bodies surpass mortal flesh.
Historical Context
John wrote from exile on Patmos (circa AD 95) to seven churches enduring persecution under Domitian. His first readers faced imprisonment, economic ruin, and martyrdom for refusing emperor worship. This vision of the new Jerusalem descending (21:2) directly counters Roman imperial propaganda—Caesar's "eternal city" versus God's eternal city, Caesar's false peace versus true shalom.
The imagery echoes Isaiah's new creation prophecies (Isa 65:17-19, 25:8) and Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezek 40-48), but radically transforms them. No temple exists (21:22), for God and the Lamb are the temple. The prophets spoke of restoration; John sees complete re-creation. To readers suffering "death, sorrow, crying, pain," this vision was not escapist fantasy but bedrock hope: present suffering is temporary, God's victory certain.
Reflection
- How does the image of God personally wiping away tears reveal His character differently than simply "ending suffering"?
- Which of the four abolished realities (death, sorrow, crying, pain) do you most long to see vanquished, and how does this hope sustain present endurance?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- References God: Revelation 7:17, Isaiah 25:8, 1 John 2:17
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 30:19, 35:10, 51:11, 60:20, Jeremiah 31:13, Matthew 24:35