Revelation 21:23-25
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While it draws from Old Testament prophecies about future light, this verse highlights a profound shift: the heavenly city won't just use God's glory as its light, but rather the Lamb is its lamp. This isn't a secondary light source, but the very essence and focus of illumination, pointing to a direct, personal encounter with Christ as the city's perpetual brightness.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse bursts forth from the description of the New Jerusalem, a breathtaking vision of God's perfect dwelling place with humanity. Following the dramatic judgment and the final defeat of evil, John sees this magnificent city descending, replacing the old earth and heavens. Here, in this pristine, eternal city, the usual sources of light are rendered obsolete, replaced by something far more glorious.
Imagine a city that never needs streetlights, a place where the sun and moon are obsolete. What does this tell us about the source of its illumination?
Revelation 21:23 paints a picture of the New Jerusalem, a place so perfectly filled with God's presence that it needs no external light source. Unlike earthly cities that depend on the sun and moon, this heavenly city is self-sufficient in its radiance.
No Need for Shadows
This absence of the sun and moon signifies more than just perpetual daylight. It suggests a realm free from the cycles of day and night, from darkness and obscurity. It points to a place of ultimate clarity, truth, and unwavering holiness, where God's presence banishes all shadows. The natural world's luminaries are replaced by a divine, all-sufficient glory.
The verse doesn't just mention God's glory; it uniquely identifies 'the Lamb' as the city's lamp. What's the significance of this intimate connection?
While the overarching radiance comes from the glory of God, the verse makes a powerful statement by identifying 'the Lamb' as the specific 'lamp' of the city. This is a tender and profound image.
Christ's Enduring Role
The Lamb, of course, refers to Jesus Christ, who was led as a lamb to the slaughter. His sacrifice and victory are not forgotten in the perfection of heaven; rather, they are central to its light and joy. This imagery assures us that the New Jerusalem is a place where Christ's redemptive work is eternally honored and celebrated. He is not just a part of the city's light; He its definitive, personal illumination.
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Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
The visible manifestation of God’s character, presence, holiness, and majesty; it signifies the weight and brilliance of His divine essence.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Large ethnic or linguistic groups of people; in the Old Testament, it often refers to those outside the covenant, but in the New Testament, it refers to all peoples to whom the gospel is extended.
nyx · Greek Noun
The absence of light, often symbolizing sin, separation from God, ignorance, or judgment; conversely, the absence of night signifies perpetual communion with God.
This passage from Isaiah directly anticipates the imagery of Revelation, describing a future time when the Lord himself will be the everlasting light, superseding the need for the sun or moon.
1 John 1:5This verse echoes the theme of God as pure light, stating 'God is light and in him is no darkness at all,' which resonates with the idea of God's glory being the inherent illumination of the New Jerusalem.
John 8:12Jesus declares 'I am the light of the world,' directly connecting to the Lamb being the light of the heavenly city, highlighting Christ's essential role in providing spiritual illumination.
Exodus 33:18Moses' plea to see God's glory shows a longing for direct divine presence and light, foreshadowing the ultimate fulfillment where God's glory is the very light of the eternal city.
Revelation 22:5This verse concludes the description of the New Jerusalem by stating 'night will be no more,' reinforcing the constant, uncreated light source described in 21:23 and its implications for an eternal, undisturbed existence.
ellicottRevelation 21:23: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
(23) And the city had no need of the sun . . . —Rather, And the city hath not need of the sun, nor of the moon that they should shine on (or, for ) her; for the glory of God enlightened her, and her lamp is the Lamb. The Shechinah is again alluded to. Light is the emblem of knowledge and holiness. God is light, and in Him is no dar…
clarkeRevelation 21:23: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
No need of the sun - This is also one of the traditions of the ancient Jews, that "in the world to come the Israelites shall have no need of the sun by day, nor the moon by night." - Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 7, 3. God's light shines in this city, and in the Lamb that light is concentrated, and from him everywhere diffused.
While it draws from Old Testament prophecies about future light, this verse highlights a profound shift: the heavenly city won't just use God's glory as its light, but rather the Lamb is its lamp. This isn't a secondary light source, but the very essence and focus of illumination, pointing to a direct, personal encounter with Christ as the city's perpetual brightness.
This verse bursts forth from the description of the New Jerusalem, a breathtaking vision of God's perfect dwelling place with humanity. Following the dramatic judgment and the final defeat of evil, John sees this magnificent city descending, replacing the old earth and heavens. Here, in this pristine, eternal city, the usual sources of light are rendered obsolete, replaced by something far more glorious.
This verse bursts forth from the description of the New Jerusalem, a breathtaking vision of God's perfect dwelling place with humanity. Following the dramatic judgment and the final defeat of evil, John sees this magnificent city descending, replacing the old earth and heavens. Here, in this pristine, eternal city, the usual sources of light are rendered obsolete, replaced by something far more glorious.
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never…" — While it draws from Old Testament prophecies about future light, this verse highlights a profound shift: the heavenly city won't just use God's glory as its light, but rather the Lamb is its lamp…
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Last reviewed October 2026
