Revelation 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And {G2532} God {G2316} shall wipe away {G1813} all {G3956} tears {G1144} from {G575} their {G846} eyes {G3788}; and {G2532} there shall be {G2071} no {G3756} more {G2089} death {G2288}, neither {G3777} sorrow {G3997}, nor {G3777} crying {G2906}, neither {G3777}{G3756} shall there be {G2071} any more {G2089} pain {G4192}: for {G3754} the former things {G4413} are passed away {G565}.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

Commentary on Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

Revelation 21:4 is a profoundly comforting verse, painting a vivid picture of the eternal state after the new heaven and new earth have been established. It speaks to God's ultimate act of restoration and compassion for His redeemed people.

Context

This verse is part of John's grand vision in the Book of Revelation, following the description of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. It immediately succeeds the declaration that God will dwell with humanity (Revelation 21:3), emphasizing the intimate presence of God as the source of all future comfort. It provides the ultimate answer to the suffering and trials faced by believers throughout history, promising a future free from all the negative consequences of sin and a fallen world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Comfort and Compassion: The act of God Himself wiping away tears signifies a personal, tender, and complete comfort. It's an active intervention to remove all vestiges of past suffering.
  • The End of Suffering: The verse explicitly lists "no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." This comprehensive list assures believers of a future absolutely devoid of all forms of physical and emotional anguish. It echoes Old Testament prophecies of a time when God would swallow up death in victory and wipe away tears from all faces.
  • Radical Transformation and New Creation: The phrase "for the former things are passed away" indicates a complete and irreversible transformation. The old order, marked by sin, decay, and suffering, is entirely gone, replaced by a perfect, new reality. This aligns with the concept of being a new creature in Christ, where old things pass away and all things become new.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Wipe away" (Greek: exaleipsō - ἐξαλείψω): This word implies a complete erasure, blotting out, or obliteration. It's not merely drying tears, but permanently removing the source of tears and the memory of their cause.
  • "No more death" (Greek: thanatos ouk estai eti): The emphasis is on the absolute cessation of death. This is significant as death is often referred to as the last enemy to be destroyed.
  • "Former things are passed away" (Greek: ta prōta apēlthon): This phrase emphasizes the complete departure of the old, broken world order. It signifies a definitive end to all that was imperfect or marred by sin.

Practical Application and Reflection

Revelation 21:4 offers immense hope and encouragement for believers navigating the trials and tribulations of life. It assures us that our present sufferings, however profound, are temporary and will ultimately be superseded by an eternal reality of perfect joy and peace in God's presence. This verse reminds us:

  • God's Ultimate Victory: No evil, no pain, no loss, and not even death itself will have the final say. God is sovereign and will bring about complete redemption.
  • Comfort in Affliction: For those grieving, suffering from chronic pain, or enduring deep sorrow, this verse serves as a powerful promise of future relief and divine comfort directly from God.
  • Perspective on Eternity: It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the "former things" of this world are transient, and a glorious, pain-free future awaits those who are in Christ.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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.

  • Isaiah 25:8

    He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

  • Revelation 7:17

    For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:26

    The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 35:10

    And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

  • 1 John 2:17

    And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

  • Isaiah 51:11

    Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
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