Rev 21:11-15 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 11. Having the glory of God . A glory or splendour such as became the dwelling-place of God. The nature of that splendour is described in the following verses. And her light . In it is said that "the glory of God did lighten it." That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity--the Shekinah. ; . The word here rendered light --φωστηρ--occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in . It means, properly, a light, a light-giver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a window . It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the Divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window. Like unto a stone most precious . A stone of the richest or most costly nature. Even like a jasper stone . On the jasper , . It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God. Clear as crystal . Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper--as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word crystal here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright. (m) "glory of God"

Revelation of John 21:11-15

Verse 11. Having the glory of God. A glory or splendour such as became the dwelling-place of God. The nature of that splendour is described in the following verses.

And her light. In Rev 21:23 it is said that "the glory of God did lighten it." That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity--the Shekinah. Lk 2:9; Acts 9:3. The word here rendered light--φωστηρ--occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Php 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a light-giver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a window. It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the Divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.

Like unto a stone most precious. A stone of the richest or most costly nature.

Even like a jasper stone. On the jasper, Rev 4:3. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.

Clear as crystal. Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper--as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word crystal here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.

(m) "glory of God" Isa 60:1,2 Verse 12. And had a wall great and high. Ancient cities were always surrounded with walls for protection, and John represents this as enclosed in the usual manner. The word great means that it was thick and strong. Its height also is particularly noticed, for it was unusual. See Rev 21:16.

And had twelve gates. Three on each side. The number of the gates correspond to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and to the number of the apostles. The idea seems to be that there would be ample opportunity of access and egress.

And at the gates twelve angels. Stationed there as guards to the New Jerusalem. Their business seems to have been to watch the gates that nothing improper should enter; that the great enemy should not make an insidious approach to this city as he did to the earthly Paradise.

And names written thereon. On the gates.

Which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. So in the city which Ezekiel saw in vision, which John seems also to have had in his eye. See Eze 48:31. The inscription in Ezekiel denoted that that was the residence of the people of God; and the same idea is denoted here. The New Jerusalem is the eternal residence of the children of God, and this is indicated at every gate. None can enter who do not belong to that people; all who are within are understood to be of their number.

(n) "twelve gates" Eze 48:31-34 Verse 13. On the east three gates, etc. The city was square, (Rev 21:16,) and the same number of gates is assigned to each quarter. There does not appear to be any special significancy in this fact, unless it be to denote that there is access to this city from all quarters of the world, and that they who dwell there will have come from each of the great divisions of the earth; that is, from every land. Verse 14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations. It is not said whether these foundations were twelve rows of stones placed one above another under the city, and extending round it, or whether they were twelve stones placed at intervals. The former would seem to be the most probable, as the latter would indicate comparative feebleness and liability to fall. Compare Barnes on "Re 21:19.

And in them. In the foundation of stones. That is, the names of the apostles were cut or carved in them so as to be conspicuous.

The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Of the Lamb of God; the Messiah. For an illustration of this passage, Eph 2:20.

(o) "and in them" Eph 2:20 Verse 15. And he that talked with me. The angel, Rev 21:9.

Had a golden reed to measure the city. Rev 11:1. The reed, or measuring rod, here, is of gold, because all about the city is of the most rich and costly materials. The rod is thus suited to the personage who uses it, and to the occasion. Compare a similar description in Eze 40:3-5, 43:16. The object of this measuring is to show that the city has proper architectural proportions.

And the gates thereof, etc. To measure every part of the city, and to ascertain its exact dimensions.

(p) "golden reed" Rev 21:1, Eze 40:3, Zech 2:1