Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
11. Having the glory of God ] i.e. the visible cloud of glory (cf. Heb 9:5), the Shechinah of the divine Presence. See Rev 21:23.
and her light ] Omit “and”. The word for light is peculiar it would properly be used of a star, as we say “luminary.”
a jasper stone ] See on Rev 4:3.
clear as crystal ] Expressed by one word, and that strictly a participle, crystallizing. Are we to understand that the comparison is not with an ordinary jasper, but with a stone combining the pure and full colours of this with the crystalline structure of other more precious jewels?
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Having the glory of God – A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of God. The nature of that splendor is described in the following verses.
And her light – In Rev 21:23 it is said that the glory of God did lighten it. That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity – the Shekinah. See the Luk 2:9 note; Act 9:3 note. The word here rendered light – phoster – occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Phi 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a lightgiver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a window. It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.
Like unto a stone most precious – A stone of the richest or most costly nature.
Even like a jasper stone – On the jasper, see the notes on Rev 4:3. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.
Clear as crystal – Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper – as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word crystal here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Having the glory of God] Instead of the sun and moon, it has the splendour of God to enlighten it.
Unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.] Among precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a uniform and brilliant transparency. A crystal is perfectly clear, the oriental jasper is a beautiful sea-green. The stone that is here described is represented as a perfectly transparent jasper, being as unclouded as the brightest crystal, and consequently the most precious of its species. Nothing can be finer than this description: the light of this city is ever intense, equal, and splendid; but it is tinged with this green hue, in order to make it agreeable to the sight. Nothing is so friendly to the eye as blue or green; all other colours fatigue; and, if very intense, injure the eye. These are the colours of the earth and sky, on which the eye of man is to be constantly fixed. To these colours the structure of the eye is adapted; and the general appearance of the earth and the sky is adapted to this structure.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Having the glory of God; a most excellent glory, received from God.
And her light, that is, (as some interpret it), that which gave her light, (as the sun is called the light of the earth), or her enlightener,
was like unto a stone most precious, was Christ himself, who is a stone most precious: Rev 21:23,
The Lamb is the light thereof.
Like a jasper stone: see Rev 4:3. God is there compared to a jasper stone; here, to a
jasper stone, clear as crystal. They say of the jasper stone, that it is very glorious to the eye, precious and pure; so it is very fit to resemble in part a pure and glorious God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. Having the glory of Godnotmerely the Shekinah-cloud, but God Himself as her glory dwelling inthe midst of her. Compare the type, the earthly Jerusalem in themillennium (Zec 2:5; compare Re21:23, below).
her lightGreek,“light-giver”: properly applied to the heavenly luminarieswhich diffuse light. Compare Note, see on Php2:15, the only other passage where it occurs. The “and”before “her light’ is omitted in A, B, and Vulgate.
even likeGreek,“as it were.”
jasperrepresentingwatery crystalline brightness.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Having the glory of God,…. Not only upon their souls, which will lie in the glorious robe of Christ’s righteousness, the bride’s wedding garment being on them, in the perfect holiness which will be in them, and in that complete knowledge of all spiritual and heavenly things they will be possessed of, they will have a glory revealed in them; but upon their bodies also, for this city, the church, the bride of Christ, will consist only of risen and changed saints, whose bodies will be freed from all dishonour; deformity, diseases, and imperfections, and will be made like unto Christ’s glorious body, and will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God. Moreover, the presence of God may be intended by his glory, as the Shechinah, or the divine majesty of God in the tabernacle and temple was called, Ex 40:35 1Ki 8:11 for the glorious presence of God will now be in this church state, which will cast a lustre on all that are in it; for if the face of Moses, and of Stephen, shone so bright and glorious, through the presence of God with them; see 2Co 3:7 how much more gloriously will the saints shine in this state, when they shall enjoy the presence of God in a far more illustrious manner? to which may be added, that Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of his Father’s glory, will now appear in that, and in his own, and in the glory of his angels; and all the saints will appear with him in glory; and to see them in all this glory is a glorious sight indeed!
And her light was like unto a stone most precious; by her “light” is not meant the light she will have in her, though that will be exceeding great, but the fountain of it from whence it comes; that which holds it forth to her, and supplies her with it: the word signifies an illuminator, and is used of the ministers of the Gospel, that hold forth the word of life and light to others, Php 2:15 but here it intends Christ, who is the sun of righteousness, the church’s light or enlightener, Re 21:23 not with the light of nature, as he enlightens every man, nor with the light of grace, with which the saints are enlightened by him in the present state of things, by his Spirit, through the word and ordinances, but with the light of glory: and he is comparable to the most precious stone; he is more precious than rubies; he is so now to them that believe, in his person, offices, grace, and righteousness, and will be more so in his light and glory in the new Jerusalem state:
even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal: God the Father, who sits on the throne, is said to be to look upon like a “jasper”;
[See comments on Re 4:2]; and here Christ, the illuminator of his church, is said to be like one, because of the exceeding brightness of this stone, and the durableness of it, expressive of the perpetuity of Christ, as the light of his church and people; he is the everlasting light of it, Isa 60:19 and he is compared to the crystallising “jasper”. There is one sort which is called “Aerizusa”, like to air c, and another “Crystallizusa” d, clear as crystal. So Pliny speaks e of a white “jasper” called “Astrios”, and which, he says, is crystallo propinquans, “near to crystal”, found in India, and on the shores of Pallene. To this Christ is like, because he is light itself, and in him is no darkness at all, and will cause an everlasting day; and such a clear and bright state of things, as that there will be no night, nor any more darkness, nothing but everlasting joy, peace, prosperity, and happiness; there seems to be some reference to Isa 60:1.
c Ruaeus de Gemmis, l. 2. c. 1. d Dioscorides, l. 5. c. 160. e Nat. Hist. l. 37. c. 9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Having the glory of God ( ). Syntactically this clause goes with verse 10, the feminine accusative singular participle agreeing with , the radiance of the dazzling splendour of God as seen in Isa 60:1; Ezek 43:5. God’s very presence is in the Holy City (the Bride).
Light (). “Luminary,” late word (in LXX, papyri), in N.T. only here and Php 2:15. Christ is the light () of the world (Joh 8:12) and so are Christians (Mt 5:14) who have received the illumination () of God in the face of Christ (2Co 4:6) and who radiate it to men (Php 2:15). See both words in Gen 1:3; Gen 1:14. “The ‘luminary’ of the Holy City is her witness to Christ” (Swete).
Like unto a stone most precious ( ). Associative instrumental case after . is the elative superlative.
As it were a jasper stone ( ). As in 4:3, which see.
Clear as crystal (). Verb not found elsewhere from (old word, Rev 4:6; Rev 22:1), “of crystalline brightness and transparency” (Thayer), “transparent and gleaming as rock-crystal” (Moffatt).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Glory of God. Not merely divine brightness, but the presence of the God of glory Himself. Compare Exo 40:34.
Light [] . Strictly, luminary; that with which the city is illumined, tlle heavenly Lamb. See ver. 23. The word occurs only here and Phi 2:15.
Jasper. See on ch. Rev 4:3.
Clear as crystal [] . Lit., shining like crystal.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Having the glory of God,” (echousan ten doksan tou theou) “Having, holding, possessing, or arrayed with, the glory of God; who had purchased and built her, and the Lamb is the light of the city beautiful, Rev 21:23; Joh 8:12. Whatever God and his Son builds has their imprint, glory, and handiwork, Psa 19:1-2; Isa 60:1; Eze 43:2; Rev 15:8; Rev 21:23; Rev 22:5.
2) “And her light was like unto a stone most precious,” (ho phoster autes homoios litho timiotato) “The light reflection of her was like (similar to) a very valuable or very precious stone; The light of the new Jerusalem (city of peace), in eternity, has a precious stone-like radiance, reflecting purity, cleanliness, holiness and perfection, even as God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all,” 1Jn 1:5.
3) “Even like a jasper stone,” (hos litho iaspidi) “That is, similar to a jasper stone; a stone in the breastplate of the Jewish high priest, and used in the foundation and walls of this new Jerusalem, Exo 28:20; Exo 39:13; Eze 28:13; In this latter reference it was used as a covering for the King of Tyre, a type of the Devil, Rev 21:14; Rev 21:18-19.
4) “Clear as crystal,” (krustallizonti) “Being or appearing clear as crystal,” perfectly transparent, completely revealing, Rev 4:6; Rev 22:1.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(11) Having the glory of God . . .The glory of God is the glorious presence of God, the true Shechinah, of which we have read before (Rev. 15:8, and see Rev. 21:23). The light of the city is described: And her light (or, brightness: it is the light which she gives; the same word is used as that employed in the LXX., Gen. 1:17, for the heavenly bodies) is like a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone crystallising. On the meaning and appearance of this stone, see Note on Rev. 4:3. It is in all probability a stone transparent and clear as the crystal, but retaining the greenish hue belonging to the jasper. The general brightness of the city was lustrous as the diamond but shot with the green tint of the emerald bow which swept the throne. (Comp. Rev. 4:3.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Having the glory of God Of which it was the vehicle. This, the great fact, is more fully detailed, 23-27 and Rev 22:1-5.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘Her light was like a most precious stone, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal, having a wall great and high, having twelve entrances, and at the entrances twelve angels, and names written on them (the entrances) which are those of the twelve tribes of the children if Israel.’
The light of the city was bright and eye dazzling like the light from a diamond or opal (in John’s time ‘iaspis’ could represent a variety of stones and we must decide from the context which one is intended). Compare Rev 4:3. ‘A wall great and high’. This signifies her total security, she is under God’s protection.
‘Having twelve entrances, and at the entrances twelve angels, and names written on them which are those of the twelve tribes of Israel. On the east were three entrances, on the north three entrances, on the south three entrances and on the west three entrances.’ The twelve tribes of Israel were described in Rev 7:4-8 where they represented the true people of God, the new Israel, the church (see on those verses). Thus the fact that their names are on the entrances demonstrates that this is their city and their abode. Enter in and we find the people of God. The twelve angels at the gates, like the high wall, demonstrate that they enjoy God’s full protection.
Each side has three entrances on which are names of tribes of Israel. Three is the number of completeness. Compare Numbers 2 where the tribes of Israel were three to each side of the Tabernacle. The same idea is found here.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
begins the description itself [4287] which first of all states its gleaming appearance
[4287] Cf. Eze 11 sqq.
Rev 21:11 begins the description itself [4288] which first of all states its gleaming appearance.
. What is most important, most peculiar, and what at the same time captivates the eye of the seer above all things, is the brilliancy which irradiates the whole city: “it has” in itself, it comprehends as dwelling and abiding within it, [4289] the present glory of God himself. [4290] The concrete character of this presentation is effaced by the reading of the : . .
. , . . . The description now proceeds further independently of the ; only the first item of the description ( . . . .) had been given in the formal connection of the original construction. [4291] From Rev 21:23 , [4292] it follows, that [4293] is not distinct from the ; [4294] the source of light for the city is the of God himself present therein. [4295]
, . . . The appearance of God was illustrated similarly.
. Cf. Psellus in Wetst.: . [4296]
[4288] Cf. Eze 11 sqq.
[4289] Cf. Rev 21:3 .
[4290] Rev 21:23 ; Rev 15:8 .
[4291] Cf. Winer, p. 499.
[4292] Cf. also Eze 43:2 .
[4293] Cf. Gen 1:14 .
[4294] Against Zll., according to whom the Messiah is irradiated in the .
[4295] De Wette, Hengstenb., Ebrard.
[4296] [“The jasper, in nature crystalline.”]
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Ver. 11. Having the glory, of God ] Who putteth upon her his own comeliness, Eze 16:9-13 , as Rachel was decked with Isaac’s jewels.
Even like a jasper ] And so, like God himself, who is set out by a jasper, Rev 4:3 .
Clear as crystal ] There is no such jasper in nature as is thus clear; but such a one must here be imagined. Nec Christus, nec caelum patitur hyberbolen. In speaking of Christ or heaven it is hard to hyperbolize. Christ’s blood (the true Pactolus) , floweth with riches. Uranople (the New Jerusalem) hath its foundation garnished with all manner of precious stones, to signify as well the durableness as the excellency of it. See Rev 21:19-20 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
“With the dazzling splendour of God,” cf. on Rev 21:3 , Eze 43:5 , Isa 60:1-2 . Uxor splendet radiis mariti ; , here, as usually in a apocalyptic literature, denotes the manifestation and realisation of the divine presence. A realistic turn is given to the expression by the “shimmering radiance” of . . . (asyndeton); “her brilliance is like a very precious stone, a jasper, crystal-clear” ( i.e. , transparent and gleaming as rock-crystal). The modern jasper is an opaque tinted quartz, only partially translucent at the edges. Perhaps, in reproducing Isa 54:11-12 ( ), the writer regarded both clauses as complementary (Cheyne); hence is . . . Otherwise might represent an opal, a diamond, or a topaz, any one of which answers better to the description of “transparent and valuable”. Flinders Petrie, however, suggests some variety of the dark green jasper.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
glory. See p. 1611.
and. Omit.
light. App-130.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 21:11. ) Hesychius, , . Isa 54:12, ; the LXX., , in the plural number. But in the singular (comp. Gen 6:16) means a part in a building which is open to the air, or admitting the light of the sun (), as windows are, or spaces between the () battlements of the walls: or, is , Rev 21:23. is not compounded of and , but it is a word derived from its own root.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
the glory: Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5, Isa 4:5, Isa 60:1, Isa 60:2, Isa 60:19, Isa 60:20, Eze 48:35
her: Rev 21:19, Eze 1:26, Eze 28:13, Eze 28:14, Eze 28:16
clear: Rev 21:18, Rev 4:6, Rev 22:1, Job 28:17, Eze 1:22
Reciprocal: Gen 48:3 – God Exo 24:10 – in his clearness Exo 28:20 – a jasper 1Ki 8:11 – for the glory 1Ki 10:10 – and precious Psa 3:3 – my Son 6:10 – Who Zec 2:5 – the glory Act 7:55 – and saw Rom 5:2 – the glory Rev 4:3 – like a Rev 21:21 – as it
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 21:11. Having the glory of God iRev 21:12 andable because anything that comes from heaven would be adorned with the glory of God. The glory of the city was so great that John likens it to the rays of a precious stone. There is something most significant about using precious stones as symbols in describing the splendors of the celestial city. We have all beheld diamonds and other precious jewels and admired their glittering brilliance. However, we have observed also that the greatest degree of their beauty is caused by the light that is reflected upon them from some outside source. So with these precious stones, that bedeck the city of God; they obtain their glow from the light that radiates from the throne of God. The one named in this verse is only referred to for a comparison, but the actual use of the stones themselves will be described in a later place in this chapter. The jasper that is used to compare the brilliant light is described as being clear as crystal. That is a description of a diamond which is among the most attractive of stones.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 11.
3. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as Rev 21:13 Rev 21:11.
The attribute of glory here ascribed to the holy church in descent was an allusion to the cloud of glory that covered and filled the tabernacle at its completion– the Shekinah, that divine manifestation through which God’s presence was made known. The light of the City was like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. In Rev 4:3 the One on the throne had this appearance of crystal jasper; so the vision here is that the Holy City represented the resplendent glory of God Himself, as Paul affirmed of the church in Eph 3:21 : “Unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end.”
The force of this descriptive attribute of the Holy City was the ultimate in glory and grandeur. The ancient crystal jasper was pellucid in its transparency and diaphonous in its translucency. As the sun is the luminary of the heavens, the glory of God Himself ilRev 21:14 his descending Holy City, the New Jerusalem church, with the divine effulgence of his presence.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 21:11. The description of the city begins, and first she is spoken of as having the glory of God. This light lightens her both within and without. From the subsequent description it appears that the idea of the Holy of Holies is in the Seers mind, and we cannot therefore be wrong in thinking that the glory which he has in view is that of the Shechinah. By it the Almighty lightened of old the innermost recesses of His sanctuary. By it He now lightens the whole of that glorious abode in which His people dwell with Him.
Her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal. The word of the original translated light is rather light-bearer or light-giver, and it refers to the light which the city sheds everywhere around her like the sun or the stars of heaven. It is light of crystalline clearness and purity (comp. chap. Rev 4:3).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The physical features of the city 21:11-22
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
This city obviously appeared extremely impressive to John. The first and most important characteristic that John noted was its radiant glow. It shone with the splendor of God Himself because He was in it (cf. Exo 40:34; Num 9:15-23; 1Ki 8:11; 2Ch 5:14; Isa 24:23; Isa 60:1; Eze 43:5; Joh 12:41; Act 26:13).
John compared the glory of the city to that of a beautiful gem. Jasper stones were very beautiful but not always clear. As mentioned earlier (cf. Rev 4:3), this is probably a crystal clear gem with many facets of brilliance, probably what we call a diamond. This stone described God Himself earlier (Rev 4:3), so its brilliance is a further reflection of God’s presence in the city.