Revelation 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

And {G2532} the Spirit {G4151} and {G2532} the bride {G3565} say {G3004}, Come {G2064}. And {G2532} let him that heareth {G191} say {G2036}, Come {G2064}. And {G2532} let him that is athirst {G1372} come {G2064}. And {G2532} whosoever will {G2309}, let him take {G2983} the water {G5204} of life {G2222} freely {G1432}.

The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ Let anyone who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let anyone who is thirsty come — let anyone who wishes, take the water of life free of charge.”

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.

Context of Revelation 22:17

Revelation 22:17 stands as one of the Bible's final and most poignant invitations, appearing near the very end of the Book of Revelation. This verse concludes a series of visions about the new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem, and the river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. It serves as a climactic, open-ended appeal to humanity, urging all who hear to accept the free gift of eternal salvation before the ultimate consummation of all things and the return of Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Universal Invitation: The repeated call to "Come" underscores the open, inclusive nature of God's grace. It's not limited to a select few but extends to "whosoever will." This echoes the broad invitations found throughout Scripture for people to seek God.
  • The Spirit and the Bride: This phrase refers to the Holy Spirit and the Church (the "bride" of Christ), united in their fervent longing for Christ's return and their desire for others to join them in eternal life. It highlights the Church's evangelistic mission, empowered by the Spirit.
  • Echoing the Call: "Let him that heareth say, Come" emphasizes the responsibility of believers to share this vital invitation. Those who have received the good news are called to become messengers, extending the invitation to others.
  • Spiritual Thirst and Satisfaction: The phrase "let him that is athirst come" speaks to humanity's inherent spiritual longing, a void that can only be filled by God. The "water of life" symbolizes eternal life, spiritual refreshment, and salvation freely offered by God, satisfying the deepest needs of the soul. This concept is beautifully illustrated by Jesus' offer of living water to the Samaritan woman in John 4.
  • The Free Gift of Grace: "Let him take the water of life freely" stresses that salvation and eternal life are not earned but are a gratuitous gift of God's grace. There is no cost, no prerequisite other than a willing heart and spiritual thirst. This aligns with the core message of the Gospel that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.

Linguistic Insights

The word "Come" (Greek: erchetai / elthetō) is an urgent imperative, reflecting the Spirit and the bride's longing for Christ's return and their passionate desire for others to embrace salvation. The phrase "water of life" (Greek: hydōr zōēs) is a profound biblical metaphor representing eternal life, spiritual sustenance, and the Holy Spirit Himself. Its offering "freely" (Greek: dōrean) emphasizes the unmerited favor and grace of God, highlighting that this ultimate gift requires no payment or human effort.

Practical Application

Revelation 22:17 serves as a powerful call to action and a source of hope for believers today:

  • Evangelism and Witness: It reminds us of our privilege and responsibility to extend God's invitation to a thirsty world. As those who have heard, we are to echo the "Come."
  • Spiritual Thirst: It encourages self-reflection: Are we truly "athirst" for God, or are we seeking satisfaction in worldly things? Only God can quench the deepest spiritual longings.
  • Assurance of Salvation: For those who respond, it offers profound comfort and assurance that the gift of eternal life is freely given by a loving God, accessible to "whosoever will."
  • Hope in Christ's Return: The "Come" from the Spirit and the bride also expresses their longing for Christ's imminent return, inspiring believers to live expectantly and prepare for His coming.
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.

  • John 4:14

    But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

  • Isaiah 55:1

    ¶ Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

  • Isaiah 55:3

    Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, [even] the sure mercies of David.

  • Revelation 21:6

    And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

  • John 7:37

    ¶ In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

  • Isaiah 12:3

    Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

  • John 4:10

    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

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