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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 22:6–19.
We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the canon of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world. 3. They will soon be confirmed by their accomplishment: they are things that must shortly be done; Christ will make haste, he will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt; and then those will prove the wise and happy men who have believed and kept his words. 4. By the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's guide and interpreter in these visions; this integrity was such that he not only refused to accept religious adoration from John, but once and again reproved him for it. He who was so tender of the honour of God, and so displeased with what was a wrong to God, would never come in his name to lead the people of God into mere dreams and delusions; and it is a still further confirmation of the sincerity of this apostle that he confesses his own sin and folly, into which he had now again relapsed, and he leaves this his failing on perpetual record: this shows he was a faithful and an impartial writer. 5. By the order given to leave the book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and compare the prophecy with the events. God here deals freely and openly with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness to the declarations here made, Rev 22:10. 6. By the effect this book, thus kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be from God, Rev 22:12. 7. It will be Christ's rule of judgment at the great day; he will dispense rewards and punishments to men according as their works agree or disagree with the word of God; and therefore that word itself must needs be faithful and true. 8. It is the word of him who is the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his people, Rev 22:13, Rev 22:14. He is the first and the last, and the same from first to last, and so is his word too; and he will by this word give to his people, who conform themselves to it, a right to the tree of life, and an entrance into heaven; and this will be a full confirmation of the truth and authority of his word, since it contains the title and evidence of that confirmed state of holiness and happiness that remains for his people in heaven. 9. It is a book that condemns and excludes from heaven all wicked, unrighteous persons, and particularly those that love and make lies (Rev 22:15), and therefore can never be itself a lie. 10. It is confirmed by the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy. And this Jesus, as God, is the root of David, though, as man, his offspring - a person in whom all uncreated and created excellencies meet, too great and too good to deceive his churches and the world. He is the fountain of all light, the bright and the morning star, and as such has given to his churches this morning light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is approaching. 11. It is confirmed by an open and general invitation to all to come and partake of the promises and privileges of the gospel, those streams of the water of life; these are tendered to all who feel in their souls a thirst which nothing in this world can quench. 12. It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God; the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. 13. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it, Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deu 4:2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
Historical interpretation
Four Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Solomon said, “Do not add to his words, lest you be rebuked and be found a liar.” In this passage he also adds the terror of the plagues so that he might urge and warn not only by the weight of his authority but also that he might either move the idle with threats or restrain the reckless.
It is not that he denies that the words that he had spoken were not to be explained. Rather, around that very time in which the saint had his vision, the error of various teachers and heretics began to emerge and to take their rise. Therefore, in order that no one promoting error might through the usual deceit of their error intend either to add or to subtract from his words and in that way seek to confirm their views by the witness of this most holy man, he determined to conclude his book with this warning. And that no one might think that what he said was merely a human opinion, he now mentions [the Lord Jesus Christ] who is the author of these things.
The curse against those who falsify the divine Scriptures is terrible, since the daring insolence of such self-willed persons can deprive them of the blessings of the coming age. In order that we might not suffer that lot, he testifies to us who listen neither to add nor to subtract anything. Rather, we should regard the characteristics of the Scriptures as more trustworthy and venerable than Attic compositions and dialectical arguments. For even among those should anyone find anything that is contrary to the rules, he is referred to the trustworthiness of their poets and authors. How great the difference is between those who have a great reputation among them and those who are of repute among us is impossible to conceive. I would judge that it is greater than the difference between light and darkness.
I testify, he says, to everyone who hears these present words; that is, I bear witness not to add anything, lest he bring upon himself the blows spoken here, nor to take away, so that the portion of the tree of life and of the inscribed holy city be not removed; both of which are contained in this little book. Then the evangelist makes his own account credible and reverent; see what he has added:
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Summary
Revelation 22:19 delivers a profound and solemn warning against altering the divine words of the Book of this prophecy. It declares that if anyone dares to diminish or remove any part of its sacred message, God Himself will remove their name from the Book of Life, exclude them from the holy city, and deny them the blessings promised within the book. This serves as a powerful final admonition, underscoring the absolute authority, integrity, and eternal significance of God's revealed word, particularly as it culminates in the eschatological truths of Revelation.
Context
Literary Context
This verse stands as the second part of a dual warning, immediately following Revelation 22:18, which cautions against adding to the words of this prophecy. Together, these two verses form a powerful concluding anathema, safeguarding the integrity of the entire prophetic message revealed to John. They are strategically placed at the very end of the Bible's final book, serving as a divine seal upon the entire canon of Scripture, emphasizing its completeness and inviolability. The preceding verses in Revelation 22 describe the glorious realities of the New Jerusalem and the eternal state, making the warning about losing one's part in these blessings all the more poignant.
Historical & Cultural Context
Warnings against altering sacred texts or legal documents were common in the ancient Near East, often appearing in treaties, covenants, and law codes to ensure their preservation and authority. Such curses invoked divine judgment upon those who would dare to modify the established decrees. While this practice was widespread, the warning in Revelation 22:19 carries unique spiritual weight. It is not merely a human legal convention but a divine decree from the ultimate Lawgiver, God Himself. This warning specifically applies to the "book of this prophecy," highlighting the unique and final nature of God's revelation concerning His redemptive plan and future events as detailed in the Book of Revelation.
Key Themes
The primary theme is the absolute integrity and divine authority of God's Word. This verse underscores that God's revelation is complete, perfect, and not subject to human editing, dismissal, or revision. Any attempt to "take away" from it is presented as an act of profound defiance against God Himself. A second key theme is the solemn warning against alteration, serving as a powerful deterrent against diminishing, ignoring, or removing any part of the prophecy's content or essential meaning. Finally, the verse highlights the severe divine judgment for such an offense, with the consequences being eternal and dire: forfeiture of one's part "out of the book of life," exclusion from "the holy city," and loss of "the things which are written in this book." This emphasizes the eternal stakes involved in how humanity treats God's inspired word, particularly concerning the ultimate destiny of those whose names are recorded in the Book of Life and who are destined for the New Jerusalem.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "to remove (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies more than just physical removal of text. It implies diminishing, invalidating, subtracting from, or denying the essential meaning or content of the prophecy. This could include discrediting warnings, minimizing the importance of the book's teachings, or rejecting its prophetic claims.
Meaning "something said (including the thought)." Here, it refers to the specific divine utterances, messages, and revelations contained within the Book of Revelation. The use of lógos emphasizes the authoritative, rational, and complete nature of these divine communications, making any alteration a direct affront to God's articulated truth.
Meaning "prediction (scriptural or other)." This term specifically identifies the Book of Revelation as a divinely inspired foretelling of future events, God's ultimate plan for humanity, and the consummation of all things. It underscores the book's unique function as a revelation from God, making its integrity paramount.
Verse Breakdown
"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy"
This opening clause presents a conditional warning. It addresses anyone who would dare to subtract from, invalidate, or diminish the specific divine message contained within the Book of Revelation. The act of "taking away" implies a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority or content of God's revealed truth.
"God shall take away his part out of the book of life"
This is the first and most severe consequence. The "book of life" is the divine register of those who have been granted eternal salvation through faith in Christ. To have one's "part" (G3313, méros, meaning a division or share) taken away signifies the forfeiture of eternal life and salvation, leading to eternal condemnation.
"and out of the holy city"
The second consequence is exclusion from the "holy city," which refers to the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God and His redeemed people. This signifies eternal separation from God's glorious presence and the blessed fellowship of the saints, a loss of the ultimate inheritance promised to believers.
"and [from] the things which are written in this book."
This final consequence is a comprehensive summation of the previous two, reinforcing the complete loss of all the blessings, promises, and eternal inheritance described within the very book that was defiled. It underscores the totality of the forfeiture for those who presume to tamper with God's final prophetic word.
Literary Devices
Revelation 22:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its solemn warning. The use of Legal Language is prominent, echoing ancient covenant curses and legal decrees that pronounced severe penalties for altering sacred documents or established laws. This gives the warning an air of divine jurisprudence, emphasizing God as the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge. Hyperbole is also evident in the extreme nature of the punishment—eternal damnation and exclusion from God's presence—which serves to underscore the gravity of the offense. While the immediate context is the Book of Revelation, the placement of this warning at the end of the biblical canon lends it a Symbolic weight, often interpreted as a final divine seal on the entirety of Scripture, safeguarding its integrity. The consequences themselves—the "book of life" and the "holy city"—are powerful Symbols of eternal salvation and divine fellowship, making the threat of their forfeiture profoundly impactful.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Revelation 22:19 profoundly reinforces the doctrine of the sufficiency and integrity of Scripture. It asserts that God's revealed word, particularly this final prophecy, is complete and requires no human modification. To diminish it is to challenge God's perfect revelation of Himself and His plans. This warning highlights the absolute authority of God's Word and the grave consequences of treating it lightly or presumptuously. It underscores that salvation and eternal destiny are inextricably linked to a reverent acceptance of divine truth, emphasizing that the path to eternal life is found in God's unadulterated revelation.
Reflection and Application
This final warning in Revelation serves as an enduring call for all believers to approach God's Word with profound reverence, humility, and unwavering commitment to its truth. It challenges us to recognize that the Bible is not merely a collection of human writings but the divinely inspired, authoritative, and sufficient revelation of God's will and plan for humanity. We are called to diligently study, accurately interpret, and faithfully apply its teachings, resisting any temptation to diminish, dismiss, or distort its message to suit our own preferences or cultural trends. The eternal consequences outlined in this verse underscore the immense value God places on His Word and, by extension, on our eternal destiny. Our commitment to the integrity of Scripture is not just an academic exercise but a matter of life and death, impacting our relationship with God and our eternal inheritance in the New Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this warning apply only to the Book of Revelation, or to the entire Bible?
While the immediate context of Revelation 22:19 specifically refers to "the words of the book of this prophecy," its placement as the final warning in the last book of the Christian canon has led many theologians to understand it as a comprehensive divine seal on the entire Bible. This interpretation is supported by similar warnings found throughout Scripture, such as in Deuteronomy 4:2 and Proverbs 30:6, which forbid adding to or taking away from God's commands. Therefore, while directly addressing Revelation, its spirit is widely understood to extend to the complete, divinely inspired Word of God.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Revelation 22:19, a stern warning against tampering with God's prophetic word, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the living Word of God, the full and final revelation of the Father, in whom "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden (Colossians 2:3). To "take away from the words of this prophecy" is, in essence, to diminish the very truth and reality that Christ embodies and reveals. Jesus Himself declared that not "one jot or one tittle will by any means pass from the law till all is fulfilled" (Matthew 5:18), underscoring the absolute integrity of God's revealed will. Furthermore, the consequences of this warning—loss of one's part in the Book of Life and exclusion from the holy city—are directly linked to Christ. It is only through faith in Him, the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), that names are written in the Book of Life. He is the one who opens the way to the New Jerusalem, for He is its light and its glory. Thus, to reject or diminish God's word is to reject Christ, the very source of life and access to the eternal city, confirming that salvation and eternal blessedness are found solely in Him and His complete revelation.