Revelation 22:20

KJV

¶ He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

KJV (with Strong's)

He which testifieth {G3140} these things {G5023} saith {G3004}, Surely {G3483} I come {G2064} quickly {G5035}. Amen {G281}. Even so {G3483}, come {G2064}, Lord {G2962} Jesus {G2424}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“The one who is testifying to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon!’”

Amen! Come, Lord Yeshua!

Berean Standard Bible

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

American Standard Version

He who testifieth these things saith, Yea: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 22:20 serves as the climactic conclusion to the Bible's prophetic narrative, capturing both the divine assurance of Jesus Christ's imminent return and the fervent, longing prayer of the Apostle John, representing the universal Church. It encapsulates the ultimate hope of believers across generations, affirming the certainty of Christ's second advent and inviting a resounding "Amen" from all who await His glorious appearing and the full establishment of His eternal kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the penultimate statement in the entire biblical canon, nestled within the final chapter of the book of Revelation. Following the grand unveiling of the new heaven and new earth and the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 21](/revelation/21 "Revelation 21 - The New Heaven and New Earth"), the narrative shifts to a series of final admonitions, blessings, and, critically, declarations regarding Christ's return. This verse is the third of three "I am coming soon" statements by Jesus in this concluding chapter ([Revelation 22:7](/revelation/22-7 "Revelation 22:7 - Jesus' Promise to Return"), [Revelation 22:12](/revelation/22-12 "Revelation 22:12 - Jesus' Promise of Reward and Return")), forming a powerful crescendo that culminates in John's heartfelt response. It acts as a divine promise and a human plea, sealing the book's overarching message of hope in Christ's ultimate victory and reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Revelation was written by John during a period of intense persecution under the Roman Emperor Domitian, likely around A.D. 95. Believers were facing immense pressure to conform to imperial cult worship, leading to suffering and martyrdom. In this context, the message of Christ's return offered profound encouragement, hope, and vindication. The early church lived with a keen sense of eschatological expectation, often expressed in the Aramaic prayer "Maranatha" (Our Lord, come!), as seen in [1 Corinthians 16:22](/1_corinthians/16-22 "1 Corinthians 16:22 - Maranatha"). This cultural backdrop underscores the urgency and comfort embedded in Jesus' promise and John's immediate, passionate response, providing solace and perseverance for a persecuted community.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 22:20 powerfully reinforces several core themes central to the book and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **The Certainty of Christ's Return**, emphasizing that Jesus' "Surely I come quickly" is an unshakeable divine promise, not a mere possibility. Secondly, the phrase "I come quickly" underscores the **Imminence and Urgency** of His return, signifying not necessarily a short chronological timeframe, but rather a sudden, decisive, and unexpected arrival, demanding constant spiritual preparedness, as also implied in [Revelation 3:11](/revelation/3-11 "Revelation 3:11 - Hold Fast to What You Have"). Thirdly, John's "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" embodies **The Church's Earnest Expectation and Longing**, reflecting the collective desire of believers throughout history for the consummation of God's redemptive plan. Finally, the interplay of Jesus' "Amen" and John's "Even so" (which carries an "Amen" connotation) illustrates the theme of **Divine and Human Affirmation**, a harmonious agreement between the divine promise and the human longing for its fulfillment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **come (Greek, _érchomai'_):** This verb signifies movement towards a destination, implying both arrival and presence. In the context of Christ's return, it denotes His personal, physical advent. The use of the present tense, "I am coming," emphasizes the certainty and ongoing nature of this divine intention, rather than a mere future possibility. It is an active, determined coming.
* **quickly (Greek, _tachý'_):** This adverb does not primarily denote a short period of time, but rather the swiftness, suddenness, or unexpectedness of an event once it begins. It conveys the idea that when Christ returns, it will be without delay, decisively, and perhaps surprising to many. It calls for vigilance and readiness, as the timing remains unknown, but the event itself will be rapid.
* **Amen (Greek, _amḗn'_):** Of Hebrew origin, this word means "firm," "trustworthy," or "so be it." It is an emphatic affirmation of truth and certainty. When Jesus uses it, He is confirming the absolute reliability and truthfulness of His promise to return quickly. When John uses it (implied in "Even so"), it is a profound expression of agreement, desire, and faith in the fulfillment of that divine promise.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He which testifieth these things saith":** This opening clause identifies the speaker as Jesus Christ, the faithful and true witness (cf. [Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Jesus, the Faithful Witness")). The phrase "these things" refers to the entire prophetic revelation contained within the book of Revelation, particularly the promises of His return and the establishment of His kingdom. This emphasizes the divine authority and veracity behind the declaration that follows.
* **"Surely I come quickly.":** This is the direct, authoritative declaration from Jesus Himself. "Surely" (Greek _nai_) reinforces the absolute certainty of His coming. "I come quickly" (Greek _érchomai tachý_) signifies that His return is both definite and will occur with suddenness and decisiveness when the appointed time arrives. It is a promise of His personal, physical, and swift return.
* **"Amen.":** This is Jesus' own affirmation of His preceding statement. By adding "Amen," He stamps His divine seal of truth and certainty on the promise of His swift return. It underscores the unchangeable nature of His word and the reliability of His prophecy.
* **"Even so, come, Lord Jesus.":** This is the fervent, longing response of the Apostle John, representing the collective cry of the Church throughout history. "Even so" (Greek _nai_ again) echoes Jesus' "Surely," signifying John's absolute agreement and desire for the fulfillment of the promise. It is a heartfelt prayer, a passionate plea for the Lord Jesus to return, expressing the deep yearning of believers for the consummation of all things in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 22:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Dialogue**, presenting a direct exchange between the divine speaker (Jesus) and the human respondent (John), which encapsulates the entire biblical narrative's trajectory towards its eschatological climax. This dialogue is characterized by **Affirmation** and **Call and Response**: Jesus' declaration, "Surely I come quickly. Amen," is met with John's echoing "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." The repetition of "Amen" (implied in John's "Even so") functions as a powerful **Echo** or **Resonance**, underscoring the certainty of the divine promise and the heartfelt agreement of humanity. The phrase "I come quickly" is a form of **Prophetic Imminence**, a recurring motif in Revelation that emphasizes the readiness and suddenness of the event rather than a specific timeline. Finally, the verse serves as a powerful **Climax** to the entire book of Revelation and, in a sense, to the entire biblical narrative, bringing the grand prophetic visions to a personal, urgent, and hopeful conclusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 22:20 stands as a foundational text for Christian eschatology, serving as the ultimate expression of the believer's hope. It encapsulates the very purpose of Christ's redemptive work: to establish His eternal kingdom and reign over all creation. The longing for Jesus' return is not merely an anticipation of future events but a deep spiritual yearning for the full realization of God's justice, peace, and perfect fellowship with humanity. This verse affirms the personal, visible, and triumphant return of Christ, which will mark the end of suffering, evil, and death, ushering in the new heavens and new earth. It reminds believers that history is moving towards a definite, glorious climax orchestrated by God, providing profound comfort and motivation for steadfastness in the present.

* [Acts 1:11](/acts/1-11 "Acts 1:11 - Jesus' Ascension and Promise of Return")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:16-17](/1_thessalonians/4-16-17 "1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - The Lord's Return and the Resurrection")
* [Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 22:20 beckons believers to live with an active, confident hope in the Lord's return, transforming our present reality. It is a call to vigilance and preparedness, not out of fear, but out of eager expectation for the One we love. This hope should shape our priorities, encouraging us to live lives of holiness, obedience, and fervent prayer, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain as we await His glorious appearing (cf. [1 Corinthians 15:58](/1_corinthians/15-58 "1 Corinthians 15:58 - Steadfastness in the Lord")). The "Maranatha" cry of the Church is not a passive wish but an active yearning that fuels our mission to share the gospel, promote justice, and embody Christ's love until He comes. It reminds us that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body ([Philippians 3:20-21](/philippians/3-20-21 "Philippians 3:20-21 - Our Citizenship and Transformation")).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of Christ's return impact your daily living and long-term planning?**
* **In what ways does the "quickly" aspect of His coming motivate you to live with greater urgency for God's kingdom?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper, more fervent longing for the Lord Jesus' return in your personal prayer life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in a state of readiness for Christ's appearing?**

### FAQ
**What does "quickly" mean in "Surely I come quickly"?**

Answer: The Greek word translated "quickly" (G5035, _tachý_) does not imply a short chronological timeframe, but rather that when Jesus does return, His arrival will be swift, sudden, and decisive. It emphasizes the unexpected nature of the event and the speed with which it will unfold once it begins, rather than indicating that it will happen soon in human terms. This calls for constant readiness and vigilance, as the exact timing remains unknown, but the event itself will be rapid and without delay. Other passages like [Revelation 3:11](/revelation/3-11 "Revelation 3:11 - I Am Coming Soon") and [Revelation 2:16](/revelation/2-16 "Revelation 2:16 - Repent or I Will Come Quickly") use the same word to convey this sense of decisive, sudden action.

**Why does John respond, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"?**

Answer: John's response is a heartfelt, Spirit-inspired prayer that encapsulates the longing of the entire Church for the consummation of God's plan. It is an "Amen" from humanity, agreeing with and eagerly desiring the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to return. This echoes the ancient Aramaic prayer "Maranatha" (Our Lord, come!) found in [1 Corinthians 16:22](/1_corinthians/16-22 "1 Corinthians 16:22 - Maranatha"). It signifies not only a desire for the end of suffering and the establishment of God's perfect kingdom but also a deep personal affection and yearning for the presence of the Lord Jesus Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 22:20, with its climactic declaration and fervent plea, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. His promise, "Surely I come quickly," is the culmination of all biblical prophecy, signifying the triumphant return of the One who first came as a humble servant to redeem humanity. The longing for "Lord Jesus" to "come" is a yearning for the full realization of the kingdom He inaugurated through His first advent, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, and His return will complete the redemptive narrative, bringing to fruition the salvation He secured on the cross. The "coming" spoken of here is the visible, glorious return of the Son of Man on the clouds, as prophesied in [Matthew 24:30](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man") and affirmed in [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him"). It is the moment when every promise He made—to prepare a place for us ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - I Will Come Again")) and to appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him ([Hebrews 9:28](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ Will Appear a Second Time"))—will be perfectly fulfilled. Thus, this verse is not just about a future event, but about the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, who is faithful to His word and will bring all things to their perfect and glorious conclusion in Himself.

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

Revelation 22:7

Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Hebrews 9:28

So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

2 Timothy 4:8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Revelation 22:12

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

1 Corinthians 16:22

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

Revelation 22:10

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Isaiah 25:9

¶ And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this [is] our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this [is] the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.