Revelation 21:2

KJV

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I {G1473} John {G2491} saw {G1492} the holy {G40} city {G4172}, new {G2537} Jerusalem {G2419}, coming down {G2597} from {G575} God {G2316} out of {G1537} heaven {G3772}, prepared {G2090} as {G5613} a bride {G3565} adorned {G2885} for her {G846} husband {G435}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Berean Standard Bible

I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

American Standard Version

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 21:2 presents the apostle John's vision of the "holy city, new Jerusalem," descending from God out of heaven. This celestial city is depicted with the tender and beautiful imagery of a bride meticulously prepared and adorned for her husband, symbolizing the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive plan and the eternal dwelling place for His people, characterized by divine purity, beauty, and intimate communion with the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 21 inaugurates the final, glorious phase of John's apocalyptic vision, following the defeat of all evil, the Great White Throne Judgment, and the passing away of the old heaven and earth described in [Revelation 20](/revelation/20 "Revelation 20 - The Millennium and Final Judgment") and [Revelation 21:1](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - A New Heaven and New Earth"). This chapter shifts dramatically from conflict and judgment to the establishment of God's eternal dwelling with humanity. Verse 2 introduces the central image of this new creation—the New Jerusalem—setting the stage for the detailed descriptions of its glory, its inhabitants, and the direct presence of God that follow in subsequent verses, particularly [Revelation 21:3-8](/revelation/21-3-8 "Revelation 21:3-8 - God Dwells with Man").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a city, particularly Jerusalem, held profound significance for John's original Jewish-Christian audience. The earthly Jerusalem was the spiritual and political center, but also a city that had faced destruction and corruption. The concept of a "new" or "heavenly" Jerusalem was not entirely novel, appearing in intertestamental Jewish thought and early Christian writings (e.g., [Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - A City with Foundations") and [Galatians 4:26](/galatians/4-26 "Galatians 4:26 - The Jerusalem Above")). The metaphor of a "bride adorned for her husband" was a powerful and universally understood symbol of purity, beauty, readiness, and covenantal union in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often used in the Old Testament to describe God's relationship with Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation")) and in the New Testament to depict the Church's relationship with Christ (e.g., [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty**, as the city descends "from God out of heaven," emphasizing that humanity's ultimate destiny is a gift from God, not a human achievement. The depiction of the city as "holy" and "new" underscores the theme of **Purity and Perfection**, signifying a creation entirely free from sin and decay, a stark contrast to the fallen world. Most prominently, the "bride" imagery powerfully develops the theme of **Covenantal Union and Intimacy** between God/Christ and His redeemed people, fulfilling the long-held desire for God to dwell among humanity, as foreshadowed in the tabernacle and temple traditions, and ultimately realized in the new creation. This anticipates the explicit declaration in [Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling with Man").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, used here in the perfect tense, signifies John's direct, experiential apprehension of this vision. It implies not merely a casual glance but a profound, revelatory perception, emphasizing the reality and certainty of what he is witnessing. John is not speculating; he is beholding a divinely revealed truth.
* **new (Greek, _kainós'_):** The Greek word _kainós_ denotes newness in quality, character, and kind, rather than merely newness in time (_neos_). This "new Jerusalem" is not a renovated or restored version of the old, earthly city, but a qualitatively superior, unprecedented, and fresh creation. It signifies a complete transformation and a new order of existence, perfectly aligned with God's holy nature.
* **adorned (Greek, _kosméō'_):** This word implies to put in proper order, to decorate, or to arrange beautifully. When applied to a bride, it evokes images of exquisite preparation, meticulous attention to detail, and a radiant beauty achieved through careful arrangement. It suggests that the "bride" (the New Jerusalem, symbolizing the Church) is made perfectly ready and beautiful for her divine union, reflecting the sanctifying work of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,"**: This clause establishes the subject of John's vision: a magnificent urban entity, identified as "the holy city" and "new Jerusalem." The term "holy city" immediately signifies its consecrated nature, set apart for God's purposes and free from defilement. The designation "new Jerusalem" distinguishes it from its earthly counterpart, emphasizing its qualitative superiority and eschatological significance.
* **"coming down from God out of heaven,"**: This phrase clarifies the origin and nature of the city. It is not built by human hands or earthly efforts but is a divine creation, originating "from God" and descending "out of heaven." This emphasizes its supernatural, pure, and perfect character, underscoring God's initiative in establishing the eternal dwelling place for His people. Its descent signifies the culmination of God's plan to dwell intimately with humanity.
* **"prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."**: This powerful simile provides the primary interpretive key for understanding the city's essence. The New Jerusalem is likened to a bride, meticulously "prepared" and "adorned" for her wedding day. This imagery speaks to beauty, purity, readiness, and the anticipation of an intimate, covenantal union. In the context of Revelation, the "bride" often symbolizes the Church, the collective body of believers, suggesting that the city embodies the perfected, glorified people of God in their ultimate union with Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 21:2 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "new Jerusalem" is a profound symbol, representing not merely a physical city, but the ultimate dwelling place of God with His redeemed people, embodying divine presence, peace, and perfection. The most striking device is the **Metaphor** of the city as "a bride adorned for her husband." This metaphor is deeply significant, drawing on biblical traditions where Israel and later the Church are portrayed as the bride of God or Christ. It conveys purity, beauty, readiness, and the intimate, covenantal relationship between God and His people. The phrase also employs **Personification**, as the city is described with attributes typically ascribed to a person—being "prepared" and "adorned"—thereby enhancing the vividness and emotional resonance of the imagery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 21:2 beautifully encapsulates the eschatological hope of the believer, portraying the ultimate realization of God's redemptive purpose: to dwell eternally and intimately with His people. This vision of the New Jerusalem as a divinely prepared, holy city, descending from heaven, signifies the culmination of salvation history, where the separation between God and humanity, caused by sin, is finally and completely overcome. The imagery of the "bride adorned for her husband" powerfully conveys the Church's perfected state, purified and glorified through Christ's work, ready for eternal communion with Him. It speaks to the beauty of holiness, the joy of union, and the security of a permanent, divine dwelling. This verse assures believers that their ultimate destiny is not merely an abstract spiritual state, but a tangible, glorious reality where God's presence is fully manifest among His redeemed.

* [Revelation 19:7-8](/revelation/19-7-8 "Revelation 19:7-8 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"): "Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."
* [Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - A City with Foundations"): "For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God."
* [Galatians 4:26](/galatians/4-26 "Galatians 4:26 - The Jerusalem Above"): "But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 21:2 offers a profound source of hope, comfort, and motivation for believers navigating the complexities and trials of the present age. This vivid portrayal of the New Jerusalem—holy, new, and divinely prepared—reminds us that our ultimate home is not of this world, but a glorious, eternal reality established by God Himself. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, understanding that our present sufferings are temporary and incomparable to the glory that awaits. The imagery of the Church as a "bride adorned" calls us to pursue purity and holiness in our lives, recognizing that we are being prepared for an intimate and eternal union with Christ. This vision inspires us to live in a manner worthy of our future inheritance, actively participating in God's redemptive work, and eagerly anticipating the day when we will dwell in perfect communion with Him in the New Jerusalem. It assures us that God's plan for His creation and His people culminates in unparalleled beauty, peace, and joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the New Jerusalem as a "bride adorned" deepen your understanding of the Church's relationship with Christ?**
* **In what ways does the concept of a "new" Jerusalem, qualitatively superior and divinely originated, challenge or affirm your present understanding of heaven and eternity?**
* **How can the hope of dwelling in the "holy city, new Jerusalem" motivate you to live a life of greater purity and purpose today?**

### FAQ
**Is the New Jerusalem a literal city or purely symbolic?**

Answer: While the book of Revelation is rich in symbolism, biblical scholars hold varying views on the literalness of the New Jerusalem. Many interpret it as a literal, physical city that will descend to the new earth, given the detailed architectural descriptions that follow in [Revelation 21:9-27](/revelation/21-9-27 "Revelation 21:9-27 - Description of the New Jerusalem"). However, even if literal, it also carries profound symbolic meaning. It represents the perfected dwelling place of God with His people, the culmination of salvation history, and the ultimate expression of divine presence and communion. It embodies the Church in its glorified state, pure and ready for eternal union with Christ. Thus, it is both a tangible reality and a powerful symbol of God's eternal kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 21:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "holy city, new Jerusalem," descending from God, is the direct result of Christ's redemptive mission. It is through His perfect life, atoning death as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and triumphant resurrection that humanity can be reconciled to God and enter into this eternal dwelling. The imagery of the city "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" points directly to Christ as the Bridegroom, who "loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). Jesus Himself promised to "go and prepare a place for you" ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")), and the New Jerusalem is the glorious manifestation of that promise. It is the place where the curse is no more, and the throne of God and the Lamb will be in it ([Revelation 22:3](/revelation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - The Throne of God and the Lamb")). Thus, the New Jerusalem is not merely a destination, but the eternal home where Christ's redemptive work is fully realized, and His people dwell in perfect, unbroken communion with Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 11:10

For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.

Revelation 3:12

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Revelation 21:10

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Isaiah 61:10

¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

Hebrews 13:14

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

Revelation 19:7

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Revelation 19:8

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.