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.

And {G2532} the twelve {G1427} gates {G4440} were twelve {G1427} pearls {G3135}; every {G1538}{G303} several {G1520} gate {G4440} was {G2258} of {G1537} one {G1520} pearl {G3135}: and {G2532} the street {G4113} of the city {G4172} was pure {G2513} gold {G5553}, as it were {G5613} transparent {G1307} glass {G5194}.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate made of a single pearl. The city’s main street was pure gold, transparent as glass.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl. The main street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.

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

This verse provides a stunning glimpse into the physical description of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that descends from God. Following the depiction of the city's immense size and the precious stones of its foundations, John describes the magnificent entrance gates and the main thoroughfare. The imagery emphasizes incredible value, purity, and divine glory, far surpassing earthly wealth and beauty.

Context

Revelation chapters 21 and 22 describe the new heaven and new earth and the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God and His redeemed people. This section follows the final judgment and the abolition of the old order. Verses 10-27 of chapter 21 detail the city's appearance, structure, and composition, setting the stage for this particular verse which focuses on the gates and the street, highlighting their extraordinary nature. This vision offers comfort and hope to believers, contrasting the struggles of the present world with the glorious future awaiting them in God's presence. See Revelation 21:10 for the beginning of this description.

Key Themes

  • Inestimable Value: Gates made of single, immense pearls and streets of pure, transparent gold signify a value beyond human comprehension. Pearls, once considered among the most precious gems, and gold, the standard of earthly wealth, are used here to describe commonplace elements of the city, illustrating its divine richness and worth.
  • Accessibility and Entrance: The twelve gates, corresponding to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, represent the way into the city. Being made of pearl suggests a precious entrance, perhaps hinting at the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:46) – the kingdom of heaven itself, which requires sacrificing all to enter.
  • Absolute Purity and Transparency: The street of pure gold described as "transparent glass" speaks to the absolute purity, holiness, and openness within the New Jerusalem. There is no hiddenness, corruption, or darkness in God's eternal city. Everything is clear, radiant, and holy, reflecting the glory of God and the Lamb. Revelation 22:5 mentions there will be no night there.
  • Divine Glory: The materials used – pearl, gold, transparent glass – are not merely decorative but convey the intense glory and radiance of God's presence that permeates the entire city.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "pearl" is μαργαρίτης (margaritēs), emphasizing its preciousness. The term "pure gold" is χρυσίον καθαρόν (chrysion katharon), where καθαρόν (katharon) means pure or clean, reinforcing the theme of holiness. "Transparent glass" uses ὕαλος καθαρός (hyalos katharos). Hyalos could refer to glass or possibly rock crystal, both suggesting transparency and purity. The combination of gold and transparency is paradoxical in earthly terms but highlights the unique, supernatural nature of the heavenly materials, which possess both the richness of gold and the clarity of glass.

Reflection

The imagery in Revelation 21:21 offers a powerful vision of the believer's eternal home. It assures us that the future God has prepared is one of unparalleled beauty, value, and purity. The pearly gates remind us that entrance is precious and perhaps points to the transformative work of Christ. The transparent gold street signifies a life lived in the full light of God's presence, where nothing is hidden, and everything is holy. This vision serves as a source of hope, encouraging faithfulness and perseverance, knowing that the temporary struggles of this life pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits in the New Jerusalem.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 21:18

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

  • Revelation 17:4

    And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

  • Revelation 22:2

    In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, [was there] the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, [and] yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree [were] for the healing of the nations.

  • Matthew 13:45

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

  • Matthew 13:46

    Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

  • Revelation 18:16

    And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

  • 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;
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