Revelation 22:17
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This invitation is a powerful echo, cascading from the Spirit to the Bride, then to every listener, and finally to anyone who simply desires it. It highlights that salvation isn't just a one-way offer, but a responsive invitation passed from one person to another, culminating in a personal choice to "take" the life-giving water.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse stands at the very end of Revelation, acting as a final, resounding invitation after the visions of judgment and the new creation. It’s the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where the Holy Spirit, working through the Church (likened to a bride), issues a direct call for people to come to God. The verse emphasizes that this invitation is open to all who hear, who are thirsty for spiritual fulfillment, and who simply desire it, offering the "water of life" freely.
The final words of Scripture are an invitation, but who is extending it? It's a powerful chorus you might not expect.
Revelation 22:17 presents a multi-layered invitation, starting with a divine duet:
The Spirit and the Bride
This isn't just a one-way command; it's a beautiful collaboration between God's Spirit and His people.
The invitation doesn't stop with the Spirit and the Bride. It's meant to spread, becoming a chorus sung by everyone who hears.
The verse expands the invitation outward:
'And let the one who hears say, “Come.”'
This is a crucial expansion. It means:
Ask a follow-up
What are you being invited to receive? It's not just a promise, but a life-giving reality offered freely to all.
The ultimate destination of the invitation is the 'water of life,' and the conditions are remarkably simple:
For the Thirsty and the Willing
This final offer in Revelation underscores the boundless grace and sufficiency of God’s provision for a lost world.
Understand the original words
pneuma · Greek Noun
Refers to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who indwells believers and works to fulfill God’s redemptive purposes.
nymphē · Greek Noun
A metaphor for the Church, the community of believers who are betrothed to Christ and await the final union at His return.
dipsaō · Greek Verb
A metaphorical state of spiritual longing or the intense need for the satisfaction and life that only God can provide.
hydōr zōēs · Greek Noun phrase
A symbolic representation of the eternal life and refreshing grace provided by God, freely given to those who come to Him.
This passage is a foundational invitation to 'come, buy wine and milk without money and without price,' directly echoing the 'take the water of life without price' in Revelation, highlighting the freeness of God's provision.
John 7:37Jesus' invitation, 'If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink,' mirrors the call in Revelation for the thirsty to come and receive the water of life, emphasizing the personal and spiritual thirst that Christ satisfies.
Romans 8:15This verse speaks of the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry 'Abba! Father!', showing how the Spirit moves believers (the 'bride') to eagerly call out to God, aligning with the Spirit and Bride's joint call to 'Come.'
Matthew 11:28Jesus' invitation, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' parallels the call in Revelation by offering a place of rest and satisfaction to all who come, underscoring the relief found in Christ.
barnesRevelation 22:17: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come - That is, come to the Saviour; come and partake of the blessings of the gospel; come and be saved. The construction demands this interpretation, as the latter part of the verse shows. The design of this whole verse is, evidently, to show the freeness of the offers of th…
pulpitRevelation 22:17: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Verse 17. - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. These words are best understood as uttered by the writer. The Holy Spirit working in the Church, through whom she is bound to Christ as his bride, and the Church herself, eagerly welcome the fulfilment of Christ's promise made in ver. 12. (On "come," cf. Rev…
This invitation is a powerful echo, cascading from the Spirit to the Bride, then to every listener, and finally to anyone who simply desires it. It highlights that salvation isn't just a one-way offer, but a responsive invitation passed from one person to another, culminating in a personal choice to "take" the life-giving water.
This verse stands at the very end of Revelation, acting as a final, resounding invitation after the visions of judgment and the new creation. It’s the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where the Holy Spirit, working through the Church (likened to a bride), issues a direct call for people to come to God. The verse emphasizes that this invitation is open to all who hear, who are thirsty for spiritual fulfillment, and who simply desire it, offering the "water of life" freely.
This verse stands at the very end of Revelation, acting as a final, resounding invitation after the visions of judgment and the new creation. It’s the culmination of God's redemptive plan, where the Holy Spirit, working through the Church (likened to a bride), issues a direct call for people to come to God. The verse emphasizes that this invitation is open to all who hear, who are thirsty for spiritual fulfillment, and who simply desire it, offering the "water of life" freely.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price." — This invitation is a powerful echo, cascading from the Spirit to the Bride, then to every listener, and finally to anyone who simply desires it. It highlights that salvation isn't just a one-way of…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
