having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Revelation 21:11
What does Revelation 21:11 mean?
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Revelation 21:11
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The verse highlights that the city's radiance isn't like earthly lights, but a pure, intense glow "like a most rare jewel," specifically a jasper. This ancient jewel was prized for its clarity and brilliance, suggesting the divine light illuminating this heavenly city is not only powerful but also perfectly pure and untainted, reflecting God's own nature.
having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel is showing John the New Jerusalem, the ultimate dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. This magnificent city, described as the bride of Christ, replaces any need for the sun or moon because it is illuminated directly by God's own radiant glory. John is given an astonishing vision of its purity and brilliance, which surpasses any earthly jewel.
Imagine a city lit not by sun or moon, but by something infinitely more radiant. What does this tell us about the source of its brilliance?
Revelation 21:11 tells us the New Jerusalem has 'the glory of God' as its radiance. This isn't just from God; it is God's very presence illuminating everything.
What could a simple gemstone tell us about the profound nature of God and His eternal city?
The comparison of the city's radiance to a 'jasper, clear as crystal' isn't just for beauty; it carries deep symbolic meaning.
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Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
The manifest presence, majesty, and splendor of God. In the context of Revelation, it represents the visible display of His holiness and character that permeates the new creation.
iaspis · Greek Noun
A precious stone, often described as opaque and multicolored in the ancient world, representing the dazzling light and multifaceted beauty of God's presence.
This passage also describes God's appearance using the image of a jasper, connecting the precious, radiant stone to divine glory.
Isaiah 54:12This Old Testament prophecy speaks of God rebuilding Jerusalem with 'gleaming precious stones,' echoing the rich imagery of Revelation 21:11.
Zechariah 2:5This verse describes Jerusalem being inhabited 'without walls' and God Himself being 'a wall of fire round about her and will be her glory in the midst of her,' mirroring the idea of God's presence as the city's light and protection.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and 'dwelling among us, full of grace and truth,' and we 'have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,' which resonates with God's glory filling the New Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 15:41This passage discusses the resurrected body having a different glory than the earthly body, comparing the 'glory of the sun' to the 'glory of the stars,' suggesting different levels of radiant splendor, much like the jasper comparison for the New Jerusalem.
clarkeRevelation 21:11: "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;"
Having the glory of God - Instead of the sun and moon, it has the splendor of God to enlighten it. Unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal - Among precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a unif…
pooleRevelation 21:11: "Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;"
Having the glory of God; a most excellent glory, received from God. And her light, that is, (as some interpret it), that which gave her light, (as the sun is called the light of the earth), or her enlightener, was like unto a stone most precious, was Christ himself, who is a stone most precious: Revelation 21:23 , The Lamb is the light thereof. Like a jaspe…
The verse highlights that the city's radiance isn't like earthly lights, but a pure, intense glow "like a most rare jewel," specifically a jasper. This ancient jewel was prized for its clarity and brilliance, suggesting the divine light illuminating this heavenly city is not only powerful but also perfectly pure and untainted, reflecting God's own nature.
The angel is showing John the New Jerusalem, the ultimate dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. This magnificent city, described as the bride of Christ, replaces any need for the sun or moon because it is illuminated directly by God's own radiant glory. John is given an astonishing vision of its purity and brilliance, which surpasses any earthly jewel.
The angel is showing John the New Jerusalem, the ultimate dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. This magnificent city, described as the bride of Christ, replaces any need for the sun or moon because it is illuminated directly by God's own radiant glory. John is given an astonishing vision of its purity and brilliance, which surpasses any earthly jewel.
"having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal." — The verse highlights that the city's radiance isn't like earthly lights, but a pure, intense glow "like a most rare jewel," specifically a jasper. This ancient jewel was prized for its clarity and br…
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Last reviewed October 2026