Revelation 21:25

KJV

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the gates {G4440} of it {G846} shall {G2808} not {G3364} be shut {G2808} at all {G3364} by day {G2250}: for {G1063} there shall be {G2071} no {G3756} night {G3571} there {G1563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Its gates will never close, they stay open all day because night will not exist there,

Berean Standard Bible

Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day, because there will be no night there.

American Standard Version

And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there):

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 21:25 offers a profound glimpse into the eternal state of the New Jerusalem, the dwelling place of God with humanity. This verse vividly portrays the city's absolute security, unhindered accessibility, and perpetual divine illumination, contrasting sharply with the vulnerabilities, limitations, and cyclical darkness of the present world. It assures believers of an unending era of peace, safety, and unmediated fellowship in God's glorious presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within John's climactic vision of the New Heavens and New Earth, culminating in the descent of the [New Jerusalem from God out of heaven](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem Descends"). Following the passing away of the old creation and the definitive promise that [God will wipe away every tear, and death shall be no more](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears, Death, or Pain"), John transitions to a detailed description of the holy city. The preceding verses emphasize the city's unparalleled glory, its construction from precious materials, and crucially, its unique source of light. Specifically, [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb are the City's Light") declares that the city has no need for sun or moon, "for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." Verse 25 then builds upon this, explaining a direct consequence of this divine illumination.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, city gates served as critical points of defense, commerce, and social interaction. They were typically closed at nightfall to protect inhabitants from external threats, robbers, or invading armies. The act of closing gates signified a city's vulnerability and its need for protection. Conversely, open gates during the day allowed for trade, travel, and the free flow of people. The absence of gate-closing in the New Jerusalem, therefore, would have immediately conveyed to John's original audience a state of unprecedented security and peace, utterly devoid of any external threat or internal danger. It also implies a constant, unhindered flow of activity and access, a stark departure from the guarded, often fearful, existence of earthly cities.

* **Key Themes:** Revelation 21:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical eschatology. It highlights the theme of **Perpetual Security and Peace**, asserting that in the New Jerusalem, there will be no need for defensive measures, as all enemies and threats will have been vanquished. This implies an eternal state of absolute safety for its inhabitants. Relatedly, it underscores **Constant Access and Divine Openness**, as the perpetually open gates signify unhindered communion with God and unrestricted entry into His presence, reflecting complete freedom and uninhibited fellowship. The verse also emphasizes the **Absence of Darkness and Evil**, as the declaration "there shall be no night there" signifies a realm entirely purged of all that darkness symbolizes—sin, fear, sorrow, and the hiding places of evil. This eternal day is a direct result of **Divine Illumination**, where the city's light is not a created source but the very glory of God and the Lamb, as further articulated in [Revelation 22:5](/revelation/22-5 "Revelation 22:5 - God Gives Them Light").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gates (Greek, _pylṓn'_):** Refers to the large, often fortified, entranceways of a city or building. In the context of the New Jerusalem, these are not merely architectural features but symbolic representations of access and security. That they are never shut signifies a complete absence of threat and an eternal welcome.
* **shut (Greek, _kleíō'_):** To close or bar, either literally or figuratively. The strong negative "shall not be shut at all" (using the double negative _ou mḗ_) emphasizes an absolute, unchangeable condition. The gates will never, under any circumstances, be closed, highlighting the city's impregnable peace and perpetual openness.
* **night (Greek, _nýx'_):** The period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. Symbolically, night often represents evil, danger, sorrow, fear, and the absence of God's presence. Its complete and definitive absence in the New Jerusalem signifies a realm utterly free from all these negative connotations, a place of unceasing divine light and goodness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day:"** This clause immediately establishes a radical departure from earthly realities. In ancient cities, gates were typically closed at night for protection. The emphatic declaration that the gates of the New Jerusalem will "not be shut at all by day" (implying also by night, as there is no night) signifies an unprecedented state of security and peace. There is no enemy to fear, no danger to guard against, and thus no need for defensive measures. It also conveys an eternal accessibility, an open invitation to all who belong to the city.
* **"for there shall be no night there."** This second clause provides the profound reason for the first. The absence of night is not merely a physical phenomenon but a theological statement. Night, often associated with spiritual darkness, evil, fear, and sorrow, is completely eradicated. This is because the city is perpetually illuminated by the glory of God and the Lamb, as stated in [Revelation 21:23](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb are the City's Light"). The lack of night signifies a realm where evil, pain, and all that is hidden by darkness have been utterly banished, replaced by the pervasive, purifying light of God's presence.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 21:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "gates" representing both security and access, and "night" symbolizing all forms of spiritual and physical darkness, evil, and fear. The perpetually open gates symbolize absolute security and unhindered access to God's presence, while the absence of night symbolizes the complete eradication of evil and sorrow. There is a strong **Contrast** drawn between earthly cities, which require gates for protection and experience the cycle of day and night, and the New Jerusalem, which transcends these limitations. This contrast highlights the perfection and divine nature of the new creation. Furthermore, the language uses **Absolute Language** and **Hyperbole** with phrases like "shall not be shut *at all*" and "no night *there*," emphasizing the definitive and eternal nature of these conditions, underscoring the completeness of God's redemptive work.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 21:25 is a powerful theological statement about the nature of God's eternal dwelling with humanity. It speaks to the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and peace over conflict. The perpetual openness of the gates signifies God's unending welcome and the unhindered access believers will have to His presence, a fulfillment of the longing for perfect communion. The absence of night underscores the complete eradication of sin, sorrow, and all that opposes God's holy nature, confirming that the new creation is a realm of pure, unadulterated glory and truth, illuminated by God Himself. This vision assures us that God's plan for His redeemed people culminates in a state of perfect security, joy, and eternal fellowship, free from every shadow of the old world.

* [Isaiah 60:19-20](/isaiah/60-19-20 "Isaiah 60:19-20 - The Lord Your Everlasting Light")
* [Zechariah 14:7](/zechariah/14-7 "Zechariah 14:7 - A Day of Unique Light")
* [John 1:5](/john/1-5 "John 1:5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 21:25 offers immense comfort and a profound vision of our eternal hope, challenging us to live with an eschatological perspective. It paints a picture of a future free from all forms of fear, danger, and the cycles of weariness and darkness that characterize our present existence. This glorious vision encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to His people. Knowing that our eternal home is a place of absolute security and perpetual light should empower us to face current anxieties with courage and to walk in the light of Christ even now, reflecting His truth and love in a world still shadowed by darkness. It calls us to anticipate a future where every tear is wiped away, and every shadow is banished by the overwhelming presence of God's glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of perpetually open gates in the New Jerusalem challenge our earthly understanding of security and vulnerability?**
* **What aspects of "night" (e.g., fear, sin, sorrow, hiddenness) do you most long to see eradicated in God's eternal kingdom?**
* **How can the assurance of God's perpetual light in the New Jerusalem inspire you to live as a "child of light" in your present circumstances?**

### FAQ

**What does the absence of night in the New Jerusalem truly signify?**

Answer: The absence of night in the New Jerusalem, as stated in [Revelation 21:25](/revelation/21-25 "Revelation 21:25 - No Night in the New Jerusalem"), signifies far more than just the lack of physical darkness. Theologically, "night" often symbolizes spiritual darkness, evil, sin, sorrow, fear, danger, and the hiddenness of God's presence. Therefore, "no night there" means that the New Jerusalem will be a realm utterly purged of all these negative elements. It represents a state of perpetual divine illumination, where the glory of God and the Lamb are the constant light, ensuring unending truth, holiness, peace, and joy. It is a world where there is nothing to hide, nothing to fear, and no sorrow to endure.

**Why are the gates of the New Jerusalem never shut, even by day?**

Answer: The gates of ancient cities were typically shut at night for protection against invaders and dangers. The declaration in [Revelation 21:25](/revelation/21-25 "Revelation 21:25 - Gates Never Shut") that the gates of the New Jerusalem "shall not be shut at all by day" (implying never, since there is no night) carries profound symbolic meaning. Firstly, it signifies absolute and eternal security; there is no enemy, no threat, and therefore no need for defensive measures. The city is perfectly safe because God Himself dwells within it. Secondly, it symbolizes constant accessibility and unhindered fellowship. The gates are always open, inviting all who are redeemed to enter and enjoy unmediated communion with God and one another. This contrasts sharply with the limited access and guarded nature of earthly realms, highlighting the complete freedom and peace found in God's eternal kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 21:25 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the very embodiment of the light and security promised for the New Jerusalem. Jesus declared Himself to be [the Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), and His coming dispelled the spiritual darkness that enveloped humanity. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, He conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness, ensuring that for those who believe in Him, there will truly be "no night." He is also the [Lamb who is the lamp of the city](/revelation/21-23 "Revelation 21:23 - God and the Lamb are the City's Light"), meaning His presence is the source of its perpetual illumination, banishing all shadows of fear and sorrow. Furthermore, Jesus identifies Himself as [the Door or Gate](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door"), through whom believers enter into salvation and eternal life. His open invitation and the unhindered access to God's presence, symbolized by the never-shut gates, are made possible only through Him. Thus, Revelation 21:25 is a glorious testament to Christ's complete victory over darkness and His role as the eternal source of light, life, and security for His redeemed people.

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

Isaiah 60:11

Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that [men] may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and [that] their kings [may be] brought.

Revelation 22:5

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Zechariah 14:7

But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, [that] at evening time it shall be light.

Isaiah 60:20

Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Revelation 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.