Revelation 21:18

And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

And {G2532} the building {G1739} of the wall {G5038} of it {G846} was {G2258} of jasper {G2393}: and {G2532} the city {G4172} was pure {G2513} gold {G5553}, like {G3664} unto clear {G2513} glass {G5194}.

The wall was made of diamond and the city of pure gold resembling pure glass.

The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass.

And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass.

Commentary

Context of Revelation 21:18

Revelation 21 marks a pivotal shift in John's vision, describing the glorious New Jerusalem descending from heaven after the old heaven and earth have passed away. This chapter details the characteristics of this eternal city, which serves as God's dwelling place with humanity. Verse 18 specifically focuses on the extraordinary materials used in its construction, emphasizing its unimaginable beauty, purity, and divine origin. It builds upon previous descriptions of the city's immense size and radiant light, preparing the reader for a vision of ultimate perfection.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Glory and Purity: The materials—jasper and pure gold—are symbolic of immense value, brilliance, and absolute purity. They reflect the holy and majestic character of God Himself, signifying that the city is a direct manifestation of His glory.
  • Unimaginable Perfection: The description goes beyond earthly comprehension. "Pure gold, like unto clear glass" suggests a material that is both precious and translucent, indicating a transcendent reality where physical properties are transformed by divine presence. This speaks to a dwelling place free from any blemish or imperfection.
  • Security and Beauty: The wall of jasper provides not only an aesthetic boundary but also conveys impregnable security, though in the New Jerusalem, it is spiritual security in God's presence rather than defense against external threats. The city's beauty is intrinsic to its nature as God's creation.
  • God's Presence as the Source of Splendor: The radiance of the city, detailed further in Revelation 21:23, comes from God's own glory. The materials described in verse 18 are not merely beautiful in themselves but reflect and amplify the light of God and the Lamb, who are its temple and light source.

Linguistic Insights

  • Jasper (Greek: iaspis): In ancient contexts, the stone referred to as 'jasper' was not always the opaque, multicolored stone we typically associate with the name today. Often, it denoted a highly translucent or even transparent gem, similar to a clear quartz or diamond. This interpretation aligns perfectly with the description of the city's gold being "like unto clear glass," suggesting a pervasive luminosity and clarity. This echoes the description of God's appearance in Revelation 4:3, where He is likened to a "jasper and a sardine stone," emphasizing His radiant and pure glory.
  • Pure Gold, like unto clear glass: This is a striking and seemingly paradoxical image. Gold is inherently opaque. The phrase suggests a spiritualized or glorified form of matter, where even something as solid as gold takes on a luminous, transparent quality. It implies an unparalleled brilliance and purity, a light so intense that it permeates and transforms all substances, making them radiant and clear. This defies earthly physics and points to the supernatural reality of the New Jerusalem.

Practical Application and Significance

Revelation 21:18 offers profound hope and a glimpse into the future for believers. It assures us of a glorious, perfect, and pure eternal dwelling place prepared by God. This vision encourages us to:

  • Anticipate God's Perfect Presence: The sheer splendor of the city underscores the magnificent reality of God's eternal presence with His people, a state of perfect communion where all sorrow and suffering are absent.
  • Value Heavenly Realities: This description challenges our earthly understanding of wealth and beauty, redirecting our focus toward the transcendent and eternal values found in God's kingdom. Earthly treasures pale in comparison to the divine glory awaiting us.
  • Find Assurance in God's Promises: The detailed, tangible (though supernaturally so) imagery provides a concrete basis for the hope of future glory, reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's promises for His redeemed people.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 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;

  • Revelation 21:21

    And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

  • Revelation 21:19

    And the foundations of the wall of the city [were] garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation [was] jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
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