Revelation 21:14
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to focus on the apostles as the building blocks of the church, but this verse emphasizes their role as the foundation stones for the eternal city, signifying that our access to God's presence is secured by their faithful witness to Jesus. Their names are literally inscribed on the bedrock of heaven, a testament to the enduring significance of their foundational teaching for all who enter.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse describes the foundational structure of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. It builds upon the description of the city's immense size and the gleaming precious stones that make up its foundations, now specifically identifying these foundations as bearing the names of the twelve apostles. This highlights their crucial role in establishing the Church, mirroring how ancient Israel was founded on the twelve tribes.
Imagine a city so grand that its very walls are supported by something as foundational as the names of God's chosen messengers. This isn't just symbolic architecture; it's a profound statement about where our faith truly rests.
Revelation 21:14 reveals a breathtaking image: the heavenly city's wall rests on twelve foundations, each bearing the name of an apostle. This powerfully illustrates that the Church, both in its Old Testament roots and its New Testament fulfillment, is fundamentally built upon the teaching and witness of the apostles.
In a world that often forgets yesterday's heroes, God ensures that the foundational work of His messengers will be remembered forever. Their names aren't just historical footnotes; they are inscribed in glory.
The inscription of the apostles' names on the foundations of the New Jerusalem is a beautiful picture of eternal recognition. Architects often inscribed their names on monumental buildings to signify their contribution, and here, God Himself etches the names of His apostles into the very fabric of heaven.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
apostolos · Greek Noun
The foundational, authoritative messengers sent by Jesus Christ to build the church. Their names on the foundations signify that the new city is built upon the witness and foundation of the Gospel.
arnion · Greek Noun
A title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His role as the atoning sacrifice who was slain to take away the sin of the world. It highlights that the city is the result of the victory won through His sacrifice.
The imagery of the twelve apostles as foundations of the New Jerusalem highlights their essential role in establishing the Church upon the teachings of Jesus Christ, mirroring the Old Testament's foundation in the twelve tribes.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30/33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and the Calling of the Twelve Apostles
Jesus selects twelve men from his followers to be his closest disciples and witnesses, forming the core leadership of the early Church. These men would later spread the gospel after his resurrection.
c. AD 30-33
The Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of Christian faith, Jesus' death and resurrection, validates his mission and empowers his apostles through the Holy Spirit to begin their ministry.
c. AD 33 - c. AD 60s
The Ministry of the Apostles
The apostles, including figures like Peter, John, and later Paul, establish churches, preach the gospel, and write letters that become foundational New Testament texts.
c. AD 60s
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem, a pivotal event in Jewish history, marks a significant turning point and influences the apocalyptic imagery used in texts like Revelation.
c. AD 95
Writing of the Book of Revelation
The Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, receives and records the prophetic visions that constitute the Book of Revelation, a symbolic depiction of God's ultimate victory.
This passage directly echoes Revelation 21:14 by stating the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, highlighting the foundational role of the apostles in God's plan.
Matthew 16:18Jesus' declaration to Peter, 'On this rock I will build my church,' links the apostles' authority and witness directly to the establishment and future of the Church, foreshadowing their foundational significance.
1 Peter 2:5Peter's exhortation for believers to be built up as spiritual stones in a holy priesthood emphasizes the collective building of the Church, with the apostles' teaching serving as the bedrock.
Joshua 4:3The Old Testament account of Joshua taking twelve stones from the Jordan River to commemorate God's deliverance for Israel serves as a powerful Old Testament parallel to the twelve foundational stones bearing the apostles' names, symbolizing a new spiritual deliverance and foundation.
ellicottRevelation 21:14: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
(14) And the wall of the city had . . . —Or, rather, And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. There were twelve large stones forming the basement of the wall, the names of the Apostles were inscribed on these. The whole Old and New Testament Church is represented in the appearance of the city; but t…
clarkeRevelation 21:14: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
The wall - had twelve foundations - Probably twelve stones, one of which served for a foundation or threshold to each gate; and on these were inscribed the names of the twelve apostles, to intimate that it was by the doctrine of the apostles that souls enter into the Church, and thence into the New Jerusalem.
It's easy to focus on the apostles as the building blocks of the church, but this verse emphasizes their role as the foundation stones for the eternal city, signifying that our access to God's presence is secured by their faithful witness to Jesus. Their names are literally inscribed on the bedrock of heaven, a testament to the enduring significance of their foundational teaching for all who enter.
This verse describes the foundational structure of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. It builds upon the description of the city's immense size and the gleaming precious stones that make up its foundations, now specifically identifying these foundations as bearing the names of the twelve apostles. This highlights their crucial role in establishing the Church, mirroring how ancient Israel was founded on the twelve tribes.
This verse describes the foundational structure of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. It builds upon the description of the city's immense size and the gleaming precious stones that make up its foundations, now specifically identifying these foundations as bearing the names of the twelve apostles. This highlights their crucial role in establishing the Church, mirroring how ancient Israel was founded on the twelve tribes.
"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." — It's easy to focus on the apostles as the building blocks of the church, but this verse emphasizes their role as the foundation stones for the eternal city, signifying that our access to God's pr…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
